Alberta government stops funding gambling support group
Alberta’s government has stopped funding a non-profit organization that provides education and other support for problem gamblers as the province prepares to expand its online gambling market.
The government has provided the Problem Gambling Resources Network with $129,700 in annual funding on an annual basis via a deal that has been in place in some form for more than 30 years.
However, earlier this month, the network’s Executive Director Ray Reshke told the Canadian Press was told the government was ending its three-year contract, meaning that the Edmonton-based organization “had our rug pulled out from under us a year early.” Reshke said the money represents 95% of the network’s annual budget but will now run out at the end of February, and he fears the organization will have to shut down as a result.
The network does not offer direct counselling but does offer a drop-in centre and an education program which Reshke estimates has held “around 10,000 gambling education presentation..