Ontario Planning Own Online Casino

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is planning to follow the lead of its Quebec and British Columbia counterparts and launch its own website in the near future.

Despite the criticism faced by Loto-Quebec over its recent venture, Ontario's provincial gaming monopoly looks increasingly likely to make a similar move that would see it capture a share of the estimated $400 million Ontarians spend each year on offshore Internet gaming sites.

Protecting Players

The news comes as OLG last week confirmed its commitment to responsible gambling by announcing that it will install facial recognition systems at all 27 of its land-based establishment in 2011, according to local news reports.

This increased commitment to tackling problem gambling hasn't stopped criticism from growing in neighboring Quebec, where anti-gambling advocates are calling for a boycott of the province's new online casino.

Keep It Legal

A spokeswoman for Loto-Quebec slammed the critics, saying the boycott campaign would merely drive gamblers back to illegal sites that do nothing to encourage responsible gambling.

The new website, espacejeux, was launched on December 1 with the aim of providing a responsible alternative to the more than 2,000 plus gambling sites Quebec residents can choose from on the web.

Espacejeux.com is currently offering slots, blackjack, roulette and other casino games to residents of the province only.