Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Rule change allows booze at gambling tables

YOU never would have seen James Bond sipping a martini at a Manitoba casino gaming table before Dec. 28.

Not that the fictional character would have been here anyway, but thanks to a policy change, patrons at any of the province's casinos, including ones in Winnipeg and ones operated by First Nations, can bring an alcoholic drink with them to the gambling areas.

Andrea Kowal, a spokeswoman for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation, said before last month's change, patrons could only drink an alcoholic drink in either the casino's bars or restaurants.

"A lot of people were very surprised when we told them they had to keep the drink in the restaurant or bar," she said Thursday. "This change brings Manitoba in line with other Canadian jurisdictions."

Kowal said First Nations casinos made the change earlier in December.

But Kowal said casinos have trained their staff to know when to cut off gamblers who drink. "You are not allowed to gamble if you are intoxicated," she said. "You will be cut off."

Kowal said it's not the first time Manitobans have been able to have an alcoholic drink while playing the VLTs.

"They've been able to have a drink at the bars with VLTs since the early 1990s," she said.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 11, 2013 A2

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Jets aren't dead (quite) yet

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • Horses enjoy a beautiful September morning east of Neepawa, Manitoba  - Standup Photo– Sept 04, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
  • A monarch butterfly looks for nectar in Mexican sunflowers at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Monday afternoon-Monarch butterflys start their annual migration usually in late August with the first sign of frost- Standup photo– August 22, 2011   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Are you going to see 100 Masters at the WAG?

View Results

Ads by Google