Online Gambling Sites Leave Canadian Players Out in the Cold
Strange things have been happening to online casino players in Canada this past week.
It began with emails sent to Canadian players who have accounts at certain sites, informing them that due to "new regulations" they would not be allowed to download the software from the sites anymore, nor play the games.
These sites include, to date, Paddy Power, Bwin and Casino Club.
The email sent to players at Casino Club read: "We regret to inform you that due to the new regulations of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Loto-Qu?c and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, online gaming products in Canada are prohibited. Unfortunately we are required to add Canada to our list of excluded countries. Players from Canada will no longer be permitted to play at Casino Club starting September 24th, 2010."
The email provides no concrete explanation of what "new regulations" the site is speaking of, nor what the government owned lottery services have to do with the site blocking Canadians.
However, analysts believe that software giant, Boss Media, is behind the move.
All three sites that have blocked Canadians carry Boss Media's download casino software.
Some of the emails sent to players state explicitly that players will still be able to access and play at the sites' instant gaming platforms (which are not powered by Boss Media).
As such, analysts predict that Boss Media is hoping to be able to offer its software services when new laws defining online gambling come into effect in Canada on a provincial level.
The group may (rightfully) believe that any foreign group that offered its services to Canadians before the laws were changed may be denied an operating license
As such, analysts believe, Boss Media is seeking to make a hasty exit from the market in a bid to stand a chance of obtaining a license when online gambling becomes a reality in British Columbia, Quebec and other provinces in Canada.
Watch this space for updates.
