April 17, 2013 Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario Hon. Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dear Premier Wynne and Ministers: Re: The Potential Health Impacts of a Casino in Peterborough At its March 13, 2013 meeting, the Board of Health for the Peterborough County-City Health Unit reviewed the potential health impacts of having a casino in our community. Given the negative consequences to the financial, mental and physical health of problem gamblers, the Board of Health is asking the provincial government to: a) reconsider its plan to expand gambling throughout the province; b) direct the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to implement stronger harm reduction policies and criteria, including the use of tools such as a casino social contract; and, c) plan to commit a larger percentage of its gaming revenues for public awareness, prevention and treatment of gambling disorders and research. Problem gamblers suffer financially, mentally and physically as do their families, friends, co- workers and the community. These costs need to be fully considered in any decision to increase access to gambling throughout the province. With a problem gambling prevalence rate in the County and City of Peterborough already between 2.7% and 6.3%, we are very concerned that greater proximity and access to a casino will lead to even greater harm. Peterborough youth between the ages of 18 and 24 years already have a prevalence rate of problem gambling similar to youth living in Las Vegas. We also know that older adults are more vulnerable to problem gambling and Peterborough has more seniors per capita than any other jurisdiction in Canada. In addition, we are aware that there is a positive correlation between problem gambling and excess alcohol consumption. Since our region already experiences higher than average alcohol consumption rates, increased gambling in our community may exacerbate an already troubling trend. If the province continues with its plan to support the expansion of gambling opportunities, we propose the province direct the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to develop, implement and enforce more harm reduction policies and establish criteria to mitigate harms Page 1 of 2 10 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 8M1 P: (705) 743-1000 or 1-877-743-0101 F: (705) 743-2897 www.pcchu.ca known to be associated with gambling. We also encourage the province to consider the introduction of casino social contracts between the provincial government, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and casino operators. These contracts could include a number of strategies that support the community and contribute to the prevention or the mitigation of harms related to problem gambling. Though we are concerned with the health and social impact in Peterborough, gambling addiction and the expanded access to gambling is a province-wide public health issue that must be considered within the broader deliberations of revenue generation. We ask therefore that you ensure that the recommended actions approved by our Board are given full attention. Yours in health, Original signed by David Watton Chair, Board of Health Peterborough County-City Health Unit /at cc: Eleanor Meslin, Board Chair, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario MPP Jeff Leal, Peterborough MPP Laurie Scott, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock Association of Local Public Health Agencies Ontario Boards of Health Page 2 of 2 10 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 8M1 P: (705) 743-1000 or 1-877-743-0101 F: (705) 743-2897 www.pcchu.ca .