Atlantic Lottery Corporation to Invest in UK Gaming Company
The New Brunswick government has given the Atlantic Lottery Corp. the green light to go ahead and make a $2 million investment in a UK gaming firm.
Roboreus runs a daily lottery in the UK called the UnLottery, which has players select real locations on Google Maps. If their grid is drawn, players win the jackpot, while those who come close win the second prize.
The investment with Roboreus is seen as a crucial move to give ALC a foothold into the online gambling industry, yet remaining in a regulated environment.
Speaking about the need to move towards online gambling, the New Brunswick Finance Minister, Blaine Higgs said: "These activities are happening all around us and so ALC's proposal is to stay current and be pat of a regulated environment rather than an unregulated environment."
"Our concern is, it should be regulated," he said. It should be controlled. We have a way to control it with ALC."
Higgs added that today's lotteries are under pressure to find ways to remain competitive in a market where products are moving from traditional forms of gambling to online gambling.
In early 2010, the provincial government directed the ALC to conduct preliminary research on the feasibility of online gambling for the province.
Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have all rejected the idea, but New Brunswick is open to internet gambling.
Gambling Opposition Groups Become Vocal
As can be expected, opposition groups have already rejected the deal.
Church leader, Rev. Russell Knowles said: "I don't think it is a good investment at any time, but I think it is particularly misplaced at a time of restraint."
"Unfortunately, I think the long term cost of gambling - particularly gaming that is targeted at a younger generation - I think the social cost and revenue displacement are not going to make it a long term, profitable investment."
