Ontario Predicts Online Gambling Entry by 2012 - 08-12-10

August 12 - Ontario residents will be allowed to play at online casinos introduced by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, it was announced this week by the province's Finance Minister, Dwight Duncan.

Duncan, together with OLG Chairman Paul Godfrey, rolled out plans to introduce legal online gambling to the province by 2012, in the hope of retrieving some of the $400 million spent by Ontarians at unregulated gambling sites each year.

The Chairman of OLG, Paul Godfrey said at the news conference: "Across Canada and around the world, online commerce is part of our everyday lives and OLG is excited to start the consultation process for online gaming and growing its marketplace in the future."

He said that the Corporation's internet gaming program will stress responsible gaming while also providing for an "enjoyable experience" for residents.

According to the OLG, online gambling had the potential to generate $100 million - or more - in net profit to the province within five years.

Commercial activity linked to online gambling would generate a similar amount.

Godfrey said that after an implementation process that should take around 18 months, the new online gambling should be set to launch by 2012.

One of the keystones of the new gambling system would be a responsible gaming program, where players are protected and data is kept private and secure.

Players will be able take part in casino games, online poker and lottery.

Bids will be invited from software companies to power the new gambling platform, with firm contenders being GTech G2 and OpenBet.

Submit This Article To Your Social Network
Furl	Simpy	Y! MyWeb	OnlyWire
Del.icio.us	Digg	Google	Spurl
StumbleUpon	Redit	Technocrati