Ontario online gambling could generate $100 mill for government

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation published its Request for Proposals as expected Friday amid predictions that the provincial government could benefit by around Cdn$100 million in tax revenues over a five year period.

OLGC estimates put the amount wagered over the internet every year by Ontarians at Cdn$ 450 million.

The Request for Proposals invites interested internet gambling companies to step forward with their proposals for operating the new program, and will be thoroughly adjudicated, says lottery spokesman Tony Bitonti.

“We want to . . . get this right the first time,” he told the Toronto Sun Friday, explaining that the aim is to start phasing in online gaming next year, boosting the $1.9 billion annually that OLG pumps into provincial coffers from its lotteries and casinos.

The OLGC has been studying the online gambling industry over the past year in preparation for its internet gambling initiative, a strategy that is already working successfully for the British Columbia and Quebec provinces.

Responsible gambling tenets and effective measures to stop underage gambling and money laundering or other organised crime activity will be government priorities on the provincial internet casino site.

Bitonti said precautions would include features such as “self-control options that pop up on the screen” asking gamblers if they are playing too much, and possibly online chats with counsellors.

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