SYDNEY, N.S. — As a Chase the Ace jackpot in Sydney, N.S., climbs to a record $2.6 million, one Cape Breton doctor is warning about the potential downsides of the multi-million-dollar fundraiser.
Dr. Chris Milburn says while he realizes most ticket buyers are not gambling addicts, he has encountered some locals who have spent the bulk of their social assistance cheques chasing the ace.
Milburn says Chase the Ace is highly promoted in the region and the hype is far-reaching, so he believes it's important for the community to have a meaningful discussion about the good and bad aspects of the ongoing lottery.
Organizer Stephen Tobin says he's heard these types of concerns before, but noted that Chase the Ace isn't just a lottery, it's an event that draws thousands and benefits charities in the community.
An estimated jackpot of $2.6 million is up for grabs on Saturday with five cards left in the deck.
Chase the Ace is like a 50-50 draw in which players buy numbered tickets for $5 each.
The winner gets a percentage of the total ticket sales and a bigger jackpot if they pull the ace of spades from a deck of cards that gets smaller with each successive draw.
