It's a plus to keep money within the province, but is it the government's place to be setting up online gambling options?
On Tuesday the province of Ontario announced by 2012 it will be set to enter the business of online gaming. The rationale? At the present time the province estimates it's losing in the vicinity of $400 million to offshore gaming websites. That's big money, but should it be up to government to offer competition in this area?
While people are going to do what they do, regardless, Robert Murray, manager of the problem gambling project at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, offers a valid point when he says that more people will likely opt to try online gambling if they know it is government-sanctioned. While online gamblers represent only a small portion - about 2.1 per cent - of total gamblers, the Internet is one of the fastest-growing methods of gambling. Will government be doing Canadians a disservice if it encourages even greater attraction in this area?
British Columbia launched an online casino last month. Quebec is expected to soon follow. The Atlantic Lottery Corp. offers five interactive games through its website, including Hold'em Poker - how long before Saskatchewan follows suit?
Ready to counteract any harmful effects, Ontario's government says free treatment services will be made available for those who should get carried away by new provincial gaming sites, but doesn't something seem wrong with that picture?
Online gambling is not the ideal way to create jobs or a prosperous economy. Many are adamant it is taking a step in the wrong direction. Yes, it will bring in revenue at the expense of problem gamblers, says one online commentator opposed to the idea, "but government should realize this is not the right thing to do, especially while Canada is in a recession." It doesn't matter how things are regulated, "people's life savings will disappear and there will be more social problems than ever." Saskatchewan would be wise to think long and carefully before it considers jumping on the online band wagon.
