Saskatchewan Questions Skill Element in Poker
The latest problem gambling campaign launched by the Saskatchewan provincial government is promoting poker as a game of chance, despite the fact that it is generally accepted that this is a game of skill.
With the rise in popularity of poker, especially Texas Hold 'em, the government has targeted this game with some of the $2.5 million spent annually on its problem gambling strategy.
"Poker is marketed as a game of skill and we wanted to challenge the idea that its a game of skill," said Rick Kilarski, a director in the government's community care branch.
"There is an element of skill, but if it was all skill, you'd see more repeat winners at the World Series of Poker," he said.
The Minister of Health, Don McMorris, said that the government understands that it is impossible to simply abolish VLT's, slots and poker from casinos.
"The vast majority of people in casinos and playing VLT's don't have a problem and there is a certain percentage, unfortunately, of people that we're trying to help," he said.
The government's responsible gambling campaign has changed its tune slightly this year, attacking 'gambling myths' that there is a system to winning at slots and other games.
One ad reads: "VLT's and slots are random. Every spin gives you the exact same chance of winning or, more often, losing."
"We're not anti gambling," said Kilarski, "but we want people to know the myths so they can make informed choices."
"These aren't games of skill," he reiterated. "They're games of chance. It's a form of entertainment."
Don McMorris said: "Poker is a game of fun, but if people have gone past that point where it's the sole source of income, there is a problem."
