Quebec's lottery commission confirmed Thursday that it has reached a tentative multimillion-dollar agreement to compensate thousands of addicted gamblers, in a case with national implications. The out-of-court settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit, filed against Loto-Quebec in 2001 by gamblers addicted to Video Lottery Terminals. A group concerned with ethics at Loto-Quebec said it wasn't surprised the lawsuit might not get to trial. Spokesman Sol Boxenbaum said the provincial lottery commission doesn't want a court judgment that might set a legal precedent. Similar lawsuits are under way in Ontario, Nova 
“Anytime there's a lawsuit involving Loto-Quebec, or the Ontario Lottery Corporation or whoever, it's never a completed trial,” said Boxenbaum, spokesman for the group EmJeu. “If you get a judgment then you have jurisprudence, (but) if you're getting a settlement it means you didn't win.” A spokesman for Loto-Quebec said details of the tentative agreement will be made public on Jan. 16. A hearing will then be held March 8 in Quebec City. Plaintiffs unhappy with the deal will get a chance to speak before a judge, who must then decide whether to approve the settlement. The plaintiffs say around 119,000 Quebec gamblers can trace their addiction to VLTs. They were hoping for more than $500-million — but the settlement reportedly amounts to just $50-million. In order to get compensation, Loto-Quebec says compulsive gamblers will need to provide proof that they underwent therapy during the 1990s.
2 comments:
I just tried to search for details of the settlement which they said would be public on January 16th but nothing shows up...where can we find this information?
According tp o post below on Jan 20 it appears details may be available in LATE JANUARY.
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/settlements/14224/lottery-lawsuits-lotto-quebec-lawsuit-vlt.html
Gambling Addicts in Quebec Reach Tentative Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with Lotto-Quebec
Montreal, PQ: Loto-Quebec has reached a tentative multi-million dollar settlement in a lawsuit brought by thousands of compulsive gamblers who allege that video lottery terminals - or VLTs - are associated with pathological gambling.
The class action, initiated in 2001, was brought by the addicts against the provincial lottery agency and currently there are an estimated 119,000 plaintiffs. Chiefly, the plaintiffs want the costs of their addiction treatments covered along with fees, for an estimated average of $5000 per person. According to media reports that could put the settlement amount at $700 million, although there are estimates it could be as low as $50 million. Details of the settlement are expected to be made public sometime in late in January, and it will likely be out-of-court.
The results of this case are being closely watched as similar suits are pending in Nova Scotia, Ontario and New Foundland.
JAN-20-10: Addicts reach deal in lottery lawsuit [CANADA.COM: NEWS]
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