HALIFAX — Nova Scotia's freedom of information review officer says she's pleased the provincial government has decided to release a draft report on gambling.

The study was shelved 18 months ago and the government refused to release the draft document, saying there were problems with its research methods.

The study was expected to delve into the costs to society of gambling addiction tied to VLTs.

The Canadian Press and an anti-gambling group appealed to the review officer in a bid to get the report released by the Labour Department.

Dulcie McCallum later recommended the release of the full draft report.

Yesterday, the government said it would oblige within 30 days and include comments outlining its concerns.

McCallum says she's pleased the province has acknowledged there is a public interest in the topic of VLTs and the gambling report.