B.C. Lottery Corporation unveils on-line casino games
B.C. gamblers can now play games like blackjack, roulette and craps through a legal on-line casino operated by the province.
The B.C. Lottery Corporation today (July 15) launched an expanded version of its Playnow.com site, which has 140,000 accounts registered at present.
An array of new games has been added in categories including bingo, sports, and lottery.
There are also plans to introduce peer-to-peer poker by the end of 2010.
According to the province, British Columbians spend an estimated $100 million each year on illegal gaming sites.
“We want to ensure money gambled in British Columbia stays in the province to benefit British Columbians,” Housing Minister Rich Coleman says in a news release.
“We’re going to redirect that money towards a variety of programs and services that support taxpayers and result in better health care, higher education and improved infrastructure.”
In 2009/2010, the BCLC site brought in $34 million. Now it is expected to generate around $100 million in extra revenue in the coming years.
Players must be residents of the province and 19 or older.
The gambling site has features to address concerns about responsible gaming. For example, players can pre-select a deposit limit and will not be allowed to request an increase within 24 hours.
Also, anyone in the BCLC voluntary self-exclusion program will be barred from playing on the site.
But New Democrat housing critic Shane Simpson argues the government still has not done enough to address problem gambling.
The Vancouver-Hastings MLA claimed the province’s self-exclusion program is not effective because enforcement is lacking. He also called for a review of spending-limit rules.
“I’m looking for the government to demonstrate that they actually have developed and designed programs that work,” Simpson told the Straight today (July 15) by phone.
“And until they do that I don’t think they should be fast-tracking this program at all.”
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Comments
12 Comments
Tyler Dobson
Jul 15, 2010 at 3:55pm
I think you mean 19 years or older....
stanmortensen
Jul 15, 2010 at 5:03pm
Enough already, say no to this expansion. As far as I am concerned this type of gambling will further encourage people to become addicted. It is one thing to go to a casino for a night out, it is really something else to have it readily available on a home computer. As far as I am concerned, there should be no further expansion of gambling in this province.
Pauly
Jul 15, 2010 at 5:06pm
I like to buy a few lotto tickets online but I'm staying well away from any casino gaming controlled by computer software. The gov't doesn't care about people with gambling problems. Wake up peeps, all they want is our money. Know your limit, play within it (ha, what a crock of sh*t)
glen p robbins
Jul 15, 2010 at 5:10pm
BC Government needs to sponsor an independent website/other tv/radio/newspaper promotions - operated outside government - where - ala 12 step - addicted gamblers get to tell their tales of how they messed up not only their own -- by others lives with their addiction to gambling. There are literally hundreds of stories of man or dad - or other spending basic family money on this habit. More than a few gamblers are cross addicted.
If the truth of the dark side is shown for all to see -- and 4-5% of revenues go to programs -- that deal with and/or help addicts -- then we are much further ahead than this --
which seems more like desperate government trying to grab every other dollar left over from taxes or the clutches of huge Vancouver based charities.
I believe we are a long way from what our original planners had hoped for a democratic society -- some time ago.
Charles Carroll
Jul 15, 2010 at 9:32pm
Ridiculous.
Camero409
Jul 16, 2010 at 7:29am
This government is desperate for money. They'll do anything to increase revenues lost due to the HST. As we already know, the HST is the largest transfer of money from the poor, the working and middle class in the history of BC. The LIbERalS need more money to give their elite friends and counting on gambling addiction is one way.
Stephen Hui
Jul 16, 2010 at 9:11am
Thanks for pointing that out, Tyler Dobson.
We've updated the article to reflect the fact that the B.C. government's on-line casino is open to people 19 years and older.
nick
Jul 16, 2010 at 12:02pm
this was/is awesome.
I would rather gamble on a provincially controlled site.
Too bad the site has crashe for two days now....
Brian P
Jul 16, 2010 at 2:35pm
$100 million in additional gambling revenue and gaming grants for the arts will still not be restored.
This province is in a sad state.
unknown sample
Jul 16, 2010 at 3:04pm
What is the matter with you people? Better the government collecting gambling revenues rather than oversea and/or illegal operations. Where do think money for various social programs that we all benefit comes from? Where is your indignation regarding government sales of liquor and cigarettes?
I agree this is a slimy way of making money, but so are many other things both private individuals and governments are involved in. Should we revert to prohibition of legal gambling, alcohol and tobacco because of moral objections or the minority of people who cannot or are unable to restrain themselves? Human vices will never go away.
Better to regulate, collect revenue and help whoever cannot cope with such substances and activities with a larger portion of the profit than is done now.