Manitoba Launches Online Gambling Venture
BCLC set off on a new course for its online business today, announcing that it is partnering with Manitoba Lotteries to provide online gambling to Manitobans.
"We launched online gaming in British Columbia to provide a secure and legal option for people who play online and to keep revenues in the province that otherwise would be going to illegal gambling sites," said the Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for BCLC. "We are pleased to share our expertise with Manitoba to strengthen regulated online gambling in Canada."
BCLC has been providing regulated online gambling to British Columbians through the PlayNow.com website since 2004. Manitoba Lotteries identified the BCLC's business model as the best choice for regulated online gambling in its province.
"Innovation is key to growth in any business," said Michael Graydon, President and CEO of BCLC. "We are creating a new revenue stream for BCLC by leveraging our experience and the expertise of our best-in-class vendors and providing these services to another jurisdiction."
BCLC will provide site design, development and testing services and will manage most aspects of the website, which is expected to launch in 2013 with casino and poker games. Sports betting and bingo may also be available when the site launches.
Manitoba Lotteries will operate the eGaming offering; the site will be regulated by the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission.
Both partners will benefit from economies of scale and a larger player base for games such as poker. Terms of the service agreement between the BCLC and Manitoba Lotteries are still being negotiated.
BCLC contracts with world class vendors GTECH G2 for online poker software and with OpenBet for online gambling and betting software. In 2010/11, PlayNow.com generated $43 million in revenue for BCLC.
