Province to pick up tab on VLT fees

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This article was published 23/03/2022 (1274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The provincial government is covering $1.34 million in upcoming video lottery terminal licensing fees, in a move meant to help impacted businesses recover COVID-19 pandemic losses.

Licensing fees of $425 each will be absorbed for the next six months for about 450 Manitoba businesses, the province announced Wednesday. The fees are charged to businesses that employ VLTs to cover the cost of inspection and compliance under the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. has already absorbed almost $2.5 million in VLT licensing fees since 2020, president and chief executive officer Manny Atwal stated in a news release applauding the provincial announcement.

“Manitoba’s VLT siteholders faced tremendous financial pressures and significant revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Scott Fielding, minister responsible MLL, added in the release.

“By Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries absorbing the VLT licensing fees, it will help ease their financial burden and is yet another example of how our government is supporting Manitoba businesses and helping them thrive as we emerge from the pandemic.”