PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
by Al Arbuthnot

It is my pleasure to serve as ABLE’s President for one more year. I feel we made some progress in 2007, starting with the increased discount for LRSs, but I believe there is much to do in 2008 and beyond. 

Late December I met with Minister John Les to discuss the ongoing struggle pub owners have with football pools. Government keeps telling us that it wants to find a way in which we can legally operate football pools in our establishments. We know our customers want these pools, we know they get bums in seats in our pubs, and we also know that if they can’t participate in a pool at their local pub, they will spend their money elsewhere playing in illegal online pools or betting amongst their friends. I sincerely hope that 2008 is the year for this change to happen and I commit to keep fighting for this and other gaming options that drive business to our establishments
With the constantly blurring line between the business of LPs and casinos, we continue to push government for more gaming options. With community gaming centres popping up all over the province, this is more important than ever. The establishments with slots machines operate like mini-casinos and are increasingly being granted LP licences. However, LPs cannot have slot machines or any gaming options outside of the limited selection of Pull Tabs, Keno, Pacific Hold’em Poker and Sports Funder. I do not think this is fair. I know that ABLE members do not think this is fair and my goal is to see at least one new interactive and entertaining gaming option introduced in 2008, something that drives traffic and revenue to our establishments. 

Changes imposed by the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) this past year have meant an increased burden on us and our staff. While a promised delivery of self-service terminals may reduce a small amount of that burden, I want more members to see lotteries as a revenue generator that helps drive business to their establishments. 

As of March 31st this year, the landscape will change once again. With the dismantling of our smoking rooms, many establishments will struggle with lost revenues from clientele that will stay home now that they cannot smoke inside. ABLE was pleased that we were successful in achieving an extension until March 31 and that the definition of a patio for the purposes of smoking is one that we believe is both workable and fair. However, we do know that many establishments do not have or cannot build patios, and even more are located in municipalities where patio smoking has been banned. I wish I had a solution for you, but I will say that ABLE looks forward to working with you as we change our business models, renovate, look for new types of entertainment, and strive to attract a crowd that appreciates the smoke-free environment. Working together we are stronger than on our own. Please keep the office up-to-date on the impact the smoking ban is having on your establishment. We will be in dialogue with Ministry of Health officials as this transition takes place. 

I wish you all a successful spring season and look forward to representing you as your president.