Press Release

The IGC Responds to Online Casino Reports Re: Another Canadian Province Launches Online Gaming (by John W. April 16)

April 19, 2012 - On behalf of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), I would like to address a handful of inaccuracies in this article published by Online Casino Reports.

First, while it's true that Manitoba has recently announced its decision to join the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Loto-Quebec in the Canadian PokerNetwork, it is worth noting that as this model launched, European nations that had already attempted to enforce a monopoly were pulling back in favour of licensing and regulating recognized and reputable operators. Many other listed entities are all licensed in Europe and willingly subject themselves to regulatory control of the highest standards. This means they compete openly in the market to the benefit of all stakeholders, including players, as opposed to relying on a state-sanctioned monopoly to support their business. 

We do not feel it is correct to represent companies who are unable to apply for a license in Canada as “illegal” or that they offer “no responsible gambling features”. In Europe the general trend is to move away from state monopolies and to allow licensing of independent groups who meet the relevant regulatory requirements and government standards. 

These companies are typically licensed in European countries and territories such as the UK, Denmark, France, Italy, Malta, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man. These countries all require high standards on such matters as under-age gambling, money laundering, responsible gambling, player protection and 3^rd party testing of systems for fairness and security.

Finally, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces have not contrary to your assertion, launched regulated online gambling environments in the last two years. Yes, they sell lottery tickets online, but that is far different from offering regulated casino-style games. It is also easy to verify that Ontario's launch date for its online model will take place sometime in 2013. 

There is a lot of information readily available about the benefits associated with regulated environments and there are many associations, including the IGC, who would be happy to provide it to you in the future.

 Amanda Brewer

Spokesperson, IGC (Canada)

Interactive Gaming Council Urges Ontario to Consider Regulating Online Gaming

Good Policy: Provide Legal Clarity; Enhance Consumer Protection; Generate Revenue

March 29, 2012

Ontario has a debt problem that is proving hard to fix. The Drummond Report, issued in February, contained 362 recommendations for what the province should do to get its fiscal house in order, including a number of gaming suggestions. Tuesday's budget demonstrates a new direction for the Liberal government as it attempts to balance Ontario's budget by heralding an era of austerity.

Concessions will be sought from many sectors as the province settles in for a long-term struggle to eliminate its deficit. But as the province is busy cutting and freezing, where are the revenue generating opportunities?

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) also recently announced a series of changes aimed to modernize its operations and provide much-needed revenue to the province. Having acknowledged that its current model is outdated, the OLG is turning to the private sector to play an increased role by assuming the bulk of the risk (and the employees) in exchange for running casinos, while the OLG focuses on regulatory oversight and policy control.

The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) applauds this direction, as it supports the backbone of a regulatory model for online gaming. The OLG has publicly declared its intentions to enter this space in 2013, and we hope that the corporation's preferred model for its existing operations will also be applied to any new offerings and will not follow the current model of picking only one supplier.

Could this be the year for a Federal Bill on online gaming?

October 20, 2011 - Change may be in the air for the US Congress when it comes to online gaming.

There are at least two proposals before Congress:  The first, H.R. 1174, would give the federal government the power and authority to allow the licensing of Internet casino games and poker. The second, H.R. 2366, would delegate most power and authority to state and tribal regulators, and allow the licensing of Internet poker only.

During the last Congress, the House saw only one proposal, which was similar to H.R. 1174. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank, was sent to the floor of the House after the House Financial Services Committee approved it 41-22, but a vote on the floor never occurred.

One sign that Congress members may be seriously considering the legislation this time around is a letter sent from key U.S. Senators to Attorney General Eric Holder this past summer. The letter, cosigned by Arizona's notoriously anti-gaming Senator Jon Kyl and Nevada's notoriously pro-gaming Senator and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, asked Holder and the Department of Justice to aggressively pursue those offering illegal Internet gambling in the United States.

The letter also requests that Holder "reiterate the Department's longstanding position that federal law prohibits gambling over the Internet, including intra-state gambling (e.g., lotteries)." The Senators do not address the intrastate Internet exception Congress included in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

While the letter could be interpreted as an indication that any form of Internet gaming is not likely to occur before the November 2012 national elections, it might also be seen as an indication that the federal government is getting ready to take action before states decide to pass their own intrastate legislation.

Venture Bets On Online Gambling Future

U.S. Digital Gaming, a venture backed by prominent casino executives, is moving ahead with its business plan in the hopes that onlinegambling will become legal in the U.S. Alexandra Berzon has the story.

Whats Next For Online Poker Players?

According to the Poker Players Alliance, there are 50,000 professional poker players now looking for jobs as a result of the shutdown. Not surprisingly, some are talking about moving overseas, where online poker is legal, in order to earn their living. Since studies have shown that many online poker players are young without families of their own and can therefore move more easily, there is reason to believe that at least some players will follow through on this. The PokerStars Q&A section has even addressed this topic, advising players that their accounts will be reactivated if they can provide proof of residency outside the United States. However, players must permanently relocate in order to play. American players merely traveling outside of the United States are not permitted to play from abroad.

After the shutdown, poker players do have other options available to play. However, `none is as secure and convenient as the affected websites which had earned such trust and massive player followings. Players hope for the return of those sites even as the government pushes them toward riskier options.

Read the full article here