Quebec To Go All-In Regarding Online Poker
Here's a riddle for you: What do you get when you cross a Canadian and the
world's biggest online poker fan? Answer: me. I am the world's - no scratch that
- the universe's biggest online poker fan. I can say this because since I was
introduced to my very first online poker room some five and a half years ago (by
my English professor of all people. Audrey, I still owe you one) I haven't
looked back.
Of course, just because I have such an open mind about online poker (people who
believe that poker relies more on luck than on skill grate my nut) doesn't mean
everyone does. Take my home country, Canada. While there is no doubt that Canada
is one of the most forward-thinking online gambling nations in the world,
it is not without its laws, regulations and online poker naysayers, who every
time they hear the phrase ' legalized and regulated online poker', like
clockwork spout forth 'but what about the threat of an increase in problem
gamblers?'
Yes what about them. Let's talk about them for a minute. While I wouldn't wish
an addiction - of any kind - on even my worst enemies, I do not believe that
society - and the many industries, entertainments and vices that it is made up
of - should have to bear the burden of these relatively few individuals, who are
incapable of exercising the level of moderation and will power that the vast
majority of people are capable of.
I mean just because there are people in Canada that 'have the need for speed' and subsequently smash their cars driving way too fast, does not mean that every car in Canada should be governed to 20 mph or that people should be restricted to driving at 20 mph. The reality is that fast and reckless drivers will always find a way to drive fast and recklessly. That's what makes them human.
So when the finance minster of Quebec, Raymond Bachand, announced plans last week to introduce online poker and online sports betting to the Canadian province as part of Loto Quebec by as early as September this year, online poker fans let out a collective scream of joy. If the province goes ahead with its plans, it will ensure that it benefits from taxing the lucrative industry.
Up until now online poker fans in Quebec have been forced to play at offshore-owned online gambling sites. And while this makes little difference to them, it means millions of dollars in lost revenues for the province. As such, online gambling experts are predicting that the province could benefit from as much as CAN$50 million in online gambling taxes from Loto Quebec in the first three years alone. There is also a long-term view of increasing that amount going forward. Consider that the total Canadian online gambling market is thought to be worth as much as $675 million, of which a large portion is made up of online poker.
 | Posted by Anton Johan at 02:14 on 9 February 2010 |
