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The implementation of the effective ban on Internet gambling in the United States has been delayed by half a year following an announcement Friday by the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve. The two agencies said the rules, which were supposed to come into effect on Tuesday, would be delayed by six months until June 1 next year. The outgoing Bush administration had passed regulations to enforce the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act shortly before leaving office at the end of 2008, and had set December 1 as the date in which financial institutions would have to begin enforcing the law, which outlawed the transfer of funds from financial institutions to gambling websites. But the latest move came following heavy opposition from pro-gambling groups and from the financial industry, which sought a one-year delay on the implementation because it said the law was not clear on what constitutes online gambling. The Treasury and Federal Reserve said in their joint statement that several Congressmen had pushed for the delay on the basis that there was enough support for new legislation trying to clarify the uncertainty over the UIGEA. Democratic congressman Barney Frank, who recently introduced the HR 2267 and HR 2266 bills in a bid to overturn the UIGEA, backed the delay, saying: ""This will give us a chance to act in an unhurried manner on my legislation to undo this regulatory excess by the Bush administration and to undo this ill-advised law."
Lots of online activity but signs of a slow down in spending and investment elsewhere made 2009 a mixed year for Canadian gambling. Growing Trend As is nears its 40th birthday, the Canadian lottery provider, Lotto-Quebec, is responding to the growth in online gambling with the attitude, 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'. In 2010 they are due to expand into online gambling, initially with an online poker room and sportsbook. The move is likely to see collaboration with Canadian lottery providers from other provinces. Another trend to watch out for is the growing number of mobile casinos. Just launched is Casino King's iPhone casino. They have also brought out an android casino. Big Win Seguro Ndabene from Alberta has won the lottery a staggering FIVE times using random numbers. Ndabene has just finished fighting a court case over claims by another man that the winning ticket was part of a group purchase. Following the withdrawal of the claim, he has just collected his $17 million dollar prize money - could this be the luckiest man alive?! Money may be tight for most, but some saw their luck come in during 2009. Canada was ranked 2nd, with 1301 wins, in winnerstrategy.com's Big Winnings Chart. The site logged a staggering total of CA$17,996,739.49 winnings for the lucky few. Gambling Habits In October the research group Ipsos Reid released the findings of a report into US and Canadian gambling habits. It found that Canadians in the 18-34 age group were less likely to gamble than their US neighbors. It also found that 20% of young Canadians wagered online (8% less than American youths). In another report, Statistics Canada recently found that Albertans are the biggest spending punters. Slots and video lottery attracted the most money with bingo and lottery coming in further behind. Canadian Law Flouted Local casino entrepreneur, Calvin Ayre, owner of the Bodog group, has business interests around the globe. However, his recent decision to open an online casino in Kahnawake has gained the attention of the Canadian authorities. The move has raised eyebrows since he is openly serving the Canadian online gambling market - with a special site for Canadian customers now up and running. Lottery Limit Rises British Columbia lottery punters can now place higher bets as the Lottery Corp have raised the weekly betting limit on their website from C$120 to C$10,000. The transition will take place in stages until 2014. The site, which offers poker and sports betting, as well as the lottery, now has the ethos that players should be able to determine their own limits. The move is said to be in response to the high number of residents who are simply placing their dollars on foreign sites. TV ads If television is a barometer of public opinion, then gambling is certainly starting to be seen as a more accepted part of society. This year saw JackpotCity launch a new TV campaign. Effects of Tough Economy Nanaimo's planned $50 million casino expansion is on hold until the economy picks up. Owners, the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation have postponed plans to double the gaming area and make other improvements. Gaming revenues have been tumbling since the recession took hold but the company stressed the plans are merely on ice. The Year Ahead Mid January sees the launch of Gaming Club's new comic-book themed video slots thriller. Microgaming's 'Hellboy' is a fun-themed slots featuring favorite characters such as Prof. Trevor Bruttenholm, Johann Krause, Liz Sherman and others. The 5 reel, 20 payline, and multiple coin game has a 4 Level Bonus Feature as well as a 2x and 4x Gamble Feature. 2010 may see the industry resurging slightly. If the Lotto-Quebec online plans go forward and the Nanaimo expansion commences, this will show renewed confidence in a market that has taken a few knocks this year. However, the main event on everyone's mind is the 2010 Winter Olympics that take place in Vancouver in February. The countdown is on and the torch is already on its way.
Online gaming giants, JackpotCity Casino and All Slots Casino have just released their list of the Top 5 online casino games for 2009. Tomb Raider 2 - the Secret of the Sword She's back and she's ready to kick it like never before. Lara Croft returns to the gaming front in this year's smash-hit video slot Tomb Raider 2. This pistol-packing heroine stars in this exciting sequel - the Secret of the Sword video slot. Tomb Raider 2 features 30-paylines and 5-reels. Players can also enjoy multiple bonus features including: Multi-Strike, Free Spins, Super Mode, Global Adventure Bonus, Hidden Treasure Bonus and a Shootout Bonus. The jackpots are simply massive with this game. Blackjack Gold raises the roof If you fancy a card game that is as real as it gets in brick and mortar casinos, then Blackjack Gold is your game. Here players can enjoy all the thrills and hot action of this stunning game. When you're aiming for 21, Blackjack Gold is your game of choice. JackpotCity and All Slots Casino have listed several other games in their Top 5 games list: Thunderstruck - Enjoy stellar gaming entertainment provided in 5 reels and 9 paylines of video slot mayhem Avalon - Be dazzled by the many secrets and hidden treasures of this 5-reel, 20-payline sensation Hitman - Do the job right with this thrilling game and get your huge pay-packet.
The Olympic torch relay is a famed tradition that gears up the host nation for the spectacle of the Olympics. The 2010 Winter Olympics is now within sight but the trail of the torch has lit up controversy as it winds its way through 45,000km over a hundred days. In December the torch parade was blighted by demonstrations by different groups, ranging from general anti-poverty groups to more specific anti Olympics and pro-Aborigine activists. There have been re-routings and even the fiasco of one torch bearer losing their balance and falling. Luckily, the Olympic flame continued to burn throughout and the torch bearer was unhurt. Online Casino Connections In December it was gambling that made the headlines, as an online casino executive at Bodog carried the torch. Alwyn Morris, is an exec at the Bodog's US operation, which specializes in online poker and sports betting. The group, founded in Vancouver by home-grown billionaire, Calvin Ayre, has a range of successful online enterprises and product ranges. Morris was chosen, not due to his online casino management skills, but because in 1984 he shared a gold medal for canoeing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. After receiving criticism from anti-gambling groups, VANOC CEO, John Furlong, defended his choice of Morris by saying he, "is a great Olympic champion, one of the best... the children on that reserve (First Nations) love him, he was their choice and our choice." The Relay Continues The recent torch relay has been blighted by a spell of cold weather but, as with all things Olympic, the show must go on. Aside from biting winds, stumbling runners and controversial torch bearers, the torch continues to wind on its route throughout the host country.
Canadians are getting itchy fingers as 2010 rolls in and online gambling activity starts to gather momentum for the New Year. One such tidbit of newsworthy content relates to the IGC. Breaking the Monopoly? The IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) is a private company which is interested in assuming control of a portion of the Vancouver government's gambling market. As it stands, the state-run monopoly of Canada is still in place, but that reality could soon be altered. Presently only provincial governments are entrusted with the task of running online gambling services. But the IGC is pushing hard - with attractive terms and conditions - against the current laws. Change will benefit manyIn Canada, the composition of the online gambling market reflects an increasingly varied population. Whereas in times gone by, online gambling was the express domain of younger players - owing to the hi-tech nature of using the Net - today's gambler includes a significant number of older folks who have learnt the ways of the Internet and thoroughly enjoy online gambling. In the past decade, the growth in the number of online gamblers over 60 has doubled. How the IGC can help By allowing the IGC to break the state-run monopoly, the benefits to Canada and its players will be enormous. For starters, the government will control the issuing of online gambling licenses to qualified operators. The state will be able to tax all online gaming activity and earn valuable revenues which can be pumped back into community projects or geared towards job creation. Regulation will also bring more transparency and greater accountability amongst operators. From a social perspective, it has further been established that online gambling activity is especially beneficial to seniors, as it aids in staving off mental illness and isolation. The fact that many people can now enjoy affordable gaming entertainment without having to venture out of their homes is another huge cost-saver and convenience. The chat features and community atmosphere of online casinos brings many benefits to players who would otherwise be battling loneliness at home.
For lottery players, a recent legal settlement involving thousands of compulsive gamblers and Loto-Quebec is generating lots of mixed feelings. Gamble for fun, not for addiction At stake is the issue of gambling addiction. Loto-Quebec is a responsible gaming organization and they have reaffirmed their support of addiction-free gambling with a legal settlement to the tune of millions of dollars. But it's not only Quebec that's being affected by the news. There are presently multiple cases scattered throughout Canada. Details of the out-of-court settlement are still being finalized and a hearing is scheduled in Quebec City for March 2010. The present deal is the result of a class-action suit which was filed in 2001 by a group of pathological gamblers. The large group of plaintiffs numbers almost 120,000 and they are seeking compensation in Quebec. Video Lottery Terminals The gambling addicts and their lawyers are placing blame on VLTs for their gambling addictions. They are hoping that the out-of-court settlement will send a strong message to the respective government agencies responsible for allowing such activities. In response, Loto-Quebec has added that no scientific studies confirm that VLTs are responsible for gambling addiction. Treating problem gambling will take time, but the financial compensation of $5,000 per claimant would place a burden of almost $700 million on Loto-Quebec. The final settlement figure is expected to be closer to $50 million. Responsible gaming provider The settlement clearly reflects Loto-Quebec's commitment to responsible gaming practices. Whether all claimants come forward with evidence of their gambling addiction and treatment, or not, is another issue, but the fact remains that a reimbursement is forthcoming. Some observers feel that it's only the lawyers who will benefit while the claimants squabble over dollars as they try to produce evidence of their treatments.
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry has published a study by the Departments of Community Health Sciences and Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. The report focuses on the gambling habits of Canadian girls and women from 15 years and older. VLTs are highlighted as the major draw for female gamblers and the report airs concerns about both their ease of availability and the speed at which players can get hooked. The report makes the harsh recommendation to at first reduce accessibility to and ultimately remove VLTs from social meeting points, such as hotels and bars. The advice however, is not welcomed by all and with the Manitoba government receiving revenue of $350 million from gambling in 2008, this solution has not only been criticized as draconian by some but has wider financial implications. Furthermore, a 2009 Statistics Canada survey which found that 56% of Manitoba respondents take part in some form of gambling, many do so casually, without forming any addiction. Other report recommendations such as setting up gambling awareness campaigns and prevention programs specifically aimed at women are much more widely welcomed. Saskatchewan's Approach The neighboring state of Saskatchewan isn't considering removing VLTs from bars and restaurants but is addressing the issue with a different approach. Christine Tell, the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, explained that site operators of VLTs undertake training to help them identify problem gamblers. Tell also highlighted the financial implications of such a move, declaring that the revenues from VLTs not only benefit the province but hotels and bars too. Rural areas in particular contain many institutions where VLTs attract customers and make a real difference to their bottom line. The Manitoba report may not have convinced Saskatchewan to make any drastic changes but Tell did confirm that the provinces are reviewing the treatment programs they have in place for gambling addicts.
Poker on television is all the rage these days, but it seems everything that gets produced is tailored toward the huge American market. But all that is about to change with the announcement that Canada is set to get its very own poker network Canadian Poker Player Television, a new online channel brought to you by HeadsUp Entertainment. HeadsUp already has a strong association with poker given its work on the Canadian Poker Tour and Canadian Poker Player Magazine, which will work with the new network. And sponsors have been quick to sign up as well, including 888 Poker. "There are so many amazing players and stories that we find on tour", HeadsUp President Kelly B. Kellner said. "Both the magazine and our online network will give players from across the country a forum and showcase as we strive to build new poker superstars." The company has already signaled its intentions for the new online poker channel, having created over 20 hours of programming, including coverage from Canadian poker events and featuring poker professionals such as Phil Hellmuth, Joe Hachem and Gavin Smith, and celebrity player Jennifer Tilly. The network is scheduled to be launched on March 5, with streaming available of programs as well as the option of viewing archived material. With an estimated 3,500,000 poker players, Canada ranks second in the world for online revenue in the poker industry. So it's only fitting that this project is going ahead.
The government of the Canadian province of Quebec is set to begin offering online gambling later in 2010, following an announcement by Loto Quebec that it will launch its own gambling website. The move will see Loto Quebec link up with two other lottery commissions - the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Atlantic Canada, which represents the four eastern Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Bachand said the website would bring up to $50 million into government coffers in the first three years. Click here for a French language site on Quebec online gambling. But not everybody is happy about the move. The Kahwanake Gaming Commission, located in Mohawk territory in Quebec, accused government of attacking it via its own online gambling plan. The Commission said that the government had overlooked the opportunities presented to it by a potential partnership with Kahwanake Gaming. The Loto Quebec website will be based on that already set up by Sweden's lottery corporation Svenska Spel. It will include safety features to prevent underage use and will also cap deposits. According to reports some C$675 million (US$630 million) was bet online by Canadians in 2008, with estimates that the number will jump to C$1 billion ($930 million) by 2012.
The Canadian province Ontario is considering offering online gambling, following the lead of other Canadian provinces that have recently announced similar plans. Premier Dalton McGuinty said last week that virtual gambling was a reality the Ontario government could not ignore. "The issue is whether or not we should be involved in that, and I think we're going to have to make a call," McGuinty said. McGuinty made the remarks following comments from the newly appointed head of Ontario Lottery and Gaming, who said he wants the province to provide online gambling to counter the loss of potential revenues to other provinces and to foreign gaming websites. The government in neighboring Quebec - Canada's second-most populous province after Ontario - announced earlier in February that it would be offering Internet gambling later in 2010. The province's finance minister predicted that the move would earn Quebec a cool C$50 million in dividends in its first three years. Two other lottery commissions - one representing the western province of British Columbia and the other representing the four eastern provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island - are also set to offer online gambling. If Ontario goes ahead with the expected move, it would mean seven of Canada's 10 provinces will have begun offering online gambling in 2010, marking a significant transformation in the Internet gambling landscape in the country.
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