The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Two years after church leaders spoke out against Sunday alcohol sales, they have received more bad news from the Manitoba government. Gaming Minister Scott Smith is sending signals that he may allow video lottery terminals in bars to operate on Sundays, according to The Canadian Press. Pastor Brian Gold of the Flin Flon Pentecostal Assembly said he can't see any advantages to such a move. "Categorically, I'm opposed to gambling on Sunday or Monday or whatever day of the week it might be," he said, adding that "there is a Biblical commandment to keep the Sabbath Day holy." The idea also disappointed a local resident not affiliated with a church. The man, who asked that his name not be used, called such a move "an incentive to gamble that has no benefits." PC Party gaming critic Mervin Tweed has also come out against the idea, telling the media that Sunday should be set aside for people to spend time with their families. But proponents don't see the big deal, pointing out that VLTs are already allowed to operate on Sundays at casinos and racetracks. Others see the current restriction as a limitation of their rights. In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Gaming Minister Smith said Sunday VLT operations are "something we'll look at," adding that "life is basically going seven days a week." The Manitoba Hotel Association has been adamantly pushing for the change. The association believes more gambling would help hotels offset some of the customers they expect to lose next October, when the Manitoba public smoking ban takes effect.
