Chase the Ace could be a bust for problem gamblers, says addiction expert

The popular fundraiser Chase the Ace has some addiction workers on P.E.I. concerned about how it might affect individuals who face gambling problems.

The fundraiser hasspreadquickly across the Island, with many community groups setting up competitions. The fundraiser consists of the winner of adraw pulling a card from a deck. If the ace of spades isn't drawn, the jackpot carries over to the following week.

And the jackpots are getting big.

The Chase the Ace fundraiser in Tignish Friday night is expected to reach more than $500,000.

• Chase the Ace in Tignish, P.E.I. swells to $500K
• Chase the Ace an increasingly popular fundraiser

Kevin McKinnon, clinical supervisor at the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert, said his staff hasn't seen an increase of gambling addiction cases yet, but he worriesthe way the game is played couldcause some people to struggle.

"Through the weeks it has increasing amounts that people may win, so that's certainly an attraction for people. That the amounts keep going up as the weeks go on," said McKinnon.

"And when you look at the amount of cards that are being left within the deck that certainly increases people's odds."

But McKinnon isn't sure people are considering the whole picture.

"I think what some people fail to realize though too, probably as the weeks go on, more and more tickets are being sold for that, so the odds of actually picking that ticket are actually very low."

McKinnon said if the groups running Chase the Ace events want to help, they should encourage patrons to play responsibly in their promotional material.

Ifpeople are struggling, they can call the province's gambling addictions hotline at 1-855-255-4255.