The province of Nova Scotia is gathering feedback to help it make the right decisions for Nova Scotia families as it develops a new responsible gaming strategy

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A website was launched May 27, to collect feedback from the public and interested parties. The information, and best practices in other jurisdictions, will be considered when the new five-year strategy, from 2011-16, is developed by Ron L'Esperance, a former provincial deputy minister.

"Our goal is to promote safe and responsible gaming in Nova Scotia," said L'Esperance. "And we want to make sure the voices of Nova Scotians are heard in the development of the strategy."

The project will review some elements outlined in the 2005 strategy, such as the business of gaming, problem gambling prevention and treatment, research, and accountability. Other areas to be addressed include internet gambling, the video lottery My-Play system and gaming regulations.

Mr. L'Esperance is working with an advisory committee of deputy ministers from the departments of Finance, Health, Health Promotion and Protection, Labour and Workforce Development, as well as CEOs of the Office of Aboriginal Affairs and the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.

Visit www.gov.ns.ca/gamingstrategy to read the paper and offer feedback. Deadline for responses is June 30. They can be submitted by email to [email protected], by phone at 1-877-424-8588, or by mail to Responsible Gaming Strategy 2011-16, P.O. Box 145, C.R.O., Halifax, N.S., B3J 2M4.

The strategy is expected to be released this fall.

(Nova Scotia Department of Finance)