Ontario Gets On Board Online Gambling Bandwagon

The Canadian province of Ontario has announced plans to allow legalized online gambling.

Government officials believe that the industry could bring in $100 million over a five year period.

Other provinces like British Columbia already allow Internet gambling for its residence via the Lottery.

“We want to . . . get this right the first time,” said lottery spokesman Tony Bitonti.

Rob Ferguson of The Toronto Star writes: 

The aim is to start phasing in online gaming next year, boosting the $1.9 billion annually that OLG pumps into provincial coffers from its lotteries and casinos.

As always, when this sort of gambling talk heats up, there are outspoken critics.

“We might have people in their pyjamas and their underwear gambling all morning or all night,” said MPP Jagmeet Singh (Bramalea-Gore-Malton), his party’s consumer services and attorney general critic, expressing concern over problem gambling. “Why is this a government priority?”

The OLG is promising “responsible gaming” features on its site, such as “self-control options that pop up on the screen” asking gamblers if they are playing too much, and possibly online chats with counsellors, Bitonti said.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com