Blog entry published on 26 April 2010
Manitoba May Jump Aboard Online Gambling Train
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I love being Canadian. About 10 minutes ago, right before I sat down to write this blog, I got off the phone with a friend of mine who lives in the United States. We've known each other for years, and the thing we have most in common is our love for gambling, online gambling in particular. Whenever we speak, which is about once a month, he usually starts off by dissing the U.S. government for not legalizing and regulating online gambling. While he, and hundreds of thousands of other U.S. online gambling fans, are only to happy to gamble illegally at offshore online gambling sites, most of them would prefer to gamble legally at U.S. owned and operated websites. This would serve to create not only a safer online gambling environment for them, but a means for the U.S. government to generate billions of dollars in much-needed taxes.
While I listen to my friend rant and rave about his hypocritical government, I cannot help but be grateful for living in a country like Canada, which despite having a complex about its neighbours to the south which was founded on the 'right to be free', is actually far more liberal. Consider that many - though not all - Canadian provinces have recognized that the legalization and regulation of online gambling is a far smarter move than banning it, and thus forcing online gamblers underground and 'into the arms' of potentially unscrupulous offshore operators. For instance, according to recent reports Manitoba may become the latest province in Canada to license online casinos to operate. Last week Manitoba lotteries minister Steve Ashton said the province is considering following the example of British Columbia and Nova Scotia by becoming an online gambling operator.
Aston told the media that he is 'looking at it', but that 'no decision has been made yet.' The fact that Aston, unlike the vast majority of his counterparts in the United States, has at least recognized and acknowledged that it makes more sense for all involved to legalize and regulate online gambling, makes me proud to be a Canadian.
 | Posted by Anton Johan at 09:05 on 26 April 2010 |
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