From The CBC:Thousands of people who say they developed a gambling problem after playing video lottery terminals (VLTs) are taking Loto-Québec to court.
A class action suit involving almost 120,000 people will be heard over the next year in a Quebec City courtroom.
Laval University law professor Daniel Gardner said the gamblers are asking for about $700,000,000 in total to reimburse them for the cost of their therapy and rehabilitation.
"The plaintiffs have to prove that Loto-Québec was in fault, because they didn't warn properly the players about the dangers of VLTs. And after that, they also have to prove that this fault, if it does exist, is the primary cause of the damage that [was] caused to the players," Gardner said.
The VLTs have been regulated in Quebec for 15 years, and the lottery corporation claims they are only a problem for about one per cent of the population.
Over the next months, testimony will be heard from experts, researchers and problem gamblers.
As the hearing opened Monday morning, a former Quebec City journalist told how he lost $250,000 and his home, while jeopardizing his relationship with his only son.
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