Ontario ready to make its internet gambling move

Internet gambling technology and software providers will be on the alert today for an important move toward online gambling by Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, which has been talking about an internet gambling program for the past two years.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which will operate any online gambling program in the province, is expected to take a major step forward today (Friday) when it publishes its Request for Proposals, bringing it closer to fellow provinces Quebec and British Columbia, which already offer the popular internet pastime.

Quoting informed sources, the Toronto Sun reports that 2012 will see the province online with an internet casino website.

The Corporation announced in 2010 its intention to offer an online option, noting that Ontarians were spending an estimated Cdn$ 400 million on offshore gaming sites.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said at the time: “People want this. People enjoy gaming.”

It is understood that over the past year the OLG has been investigating best practices around the world, with an intention to launch its own internet gambling casino early in 2012.

It is expected that the OLG would offer both casino-style games and online lottery ticket sales with an age limit of 18-years-old to buy the tickets and 19-years-old to play the games. There will be strict regulations governing the operation, including measures to stop underage access and combat problem gambling, along with time and financial limits.

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