Online Gambling in Manitoba?

The Canadian province of Manitoba might just be entering the online gaming business. The Minister for lotteries, Steve Ashton, announced last week that the government of Manitoba was considering following the lead of British Colombia and Nova Scotia. Both of these provinces currently offer their residents online gambling lottery sites.

By the end of the year, Manitoba will make the decision whether or not to establish its own website to offer online casino games. Alternative, it may enter into partnership with other provinces in Canada.

Those in favour of this move argue that online gaming is a part of life regardless of whether it is regulated by the Canadian government. If Manitoba were to go ahead with this decision, their site would be a reliable alternative for players who currently play on largely unregulated sites at great risk.

Ashton stressed in his press conference on that matter that a possible Manitoba site would have safeguards against under aged players and offer transfers limits and secure payment methods.

Whether online gambling is legal across the country in Canada is not yet black and white. There are, however, already a couple of online gambling sites that are government backed in other Canadian provinces such as British Colombia, Nova Scotia and some Indian reserves such as Kahnawake.

The other Canadian candidate to enter the online gambling market is Quebec later this fall when Loto-Quebec will launch its poker and sports betting site.