The provincial government deceived the public over the addictive nature of VLTs, a nearly $2-million lawsuit claims.

Filed on behalf of a St. Albert woman by Calgary firm McLeod Law LLP, the court action alleges the province has intentionally misled Albertans on the detrimental effects of electronic gambling machines.

The lawsuit says the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission has misrepresented the effects of EGMs since their introduction 20 years ago.

The claim seeks $1,925,000 in total damages, including $1 million for “aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages” on behalf of Gisele Jubinville.

It says Jubinville became addicted to the machines after she began playing them in 1995.

“As a result, Ms. Jubinville suffered substantial and sizable gambling losses and other detrimental effects,” says the court action.

“By contrast, the defendants have profited billions of dollars from users of EGMs and continue to profit billions of dollars each year,” says the claim, which names the province and AGLC as defendants.

Jubinville’s losses alone playing VLTs over the years has amounted to $750,000, it says.

She has also forked over $14,000 in ATM fees to get more cash to fund her addiction and another $11,000 to travel to bars, lounges and casinos to feed her habit, the claim states.

As a result, she suffered social withdrawal and nearly lost “her marriage, her family, her life.”

“The defendants’ conduct was deliberate, calculated and high-handed,” it says.

Among the unlawful acts committed by the province were “profiting for their misconduct off the backs of a vulnerable segment of society ... (and) creating gambling addicts whose addiction has destroyed countless marriages, families and lives.”

The public was misled to believe the machines were not addictive, or they were minimally addictive, it says.

Statements of defence disputing the unproven allegations have not been filed.

kevin.martin@sunmedia.ca

On Twitter: @SUNKevinMartin