CTV News Montreal

Updated: Wed Feb. 04 2009 1:17:26 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Authorities at Vanier College have banned card playing by students on campus. According to the academic dean, some students were thousands of dollars in debt and there were tales of loan sharks coming to the school.

"There's a lot of money to be made that's for sure," said one student. "If you come here - it's like a casino - if you walk in, in your head you have a hundred dollars in your pocket and everyday you could make up to a thousand dollars. Like people make it their job. Just come to school and steal off students."

The students would play cards for points and then collect money on those points after.

The problem was well known. Students were aware that during lunch hour in the cafeteria there were tables set up for gambling different amounts of money, for example, a $50 or $100 table.

It was not just current students taking part, but also former students who would return to participate in gaming, bringing an outside element to the situation.

"A lot of them were I think emotionally drained by it - they felt they needed to play everyday, they were missing classes," said Ginny Iaboni who is with the school.

"It's not just a problem at Vanier it's a problem for all kids of this age group, you see it in the high schools, you even see it start in elementary schools," said McGill University researcher Alissa Sklar.

Gambling has always been banned at Vanier College, however the administration took steps to ban all card playing. Quebec law states gambling is permitted only in specified locations.

The gambling issue presented an interesting dilemma for the administration. Since it is a CEGEP, some students are legally adults and there is a confidentiality issue when the school wants to inform parents of a student's conduct at school.

Vanier administration says they are keeping an eye out for other forms of gambling that may arise to take the place of card playing.

The CEGEP will introduce a gambling prevention program next week.