Prince Edward Island’s Finance Minister informed on February 1, 2021, that the government’s plans for the launch of an online gambling platform for the region with the help of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. The Crown corporation has already launched a similar online platform for the New Brunswick region back in August 2020. However, the online project has not been consulted with the public, and it may lead to some concerns across residents.
According to Prince Edward Island’s Finance Minister Darlene Compton, who is also head of the provincial Lotteries Commission, the government is using the help of the ALC because the corporation will make sure that such project will be thoroughly assessed and regulated in a safe way. Meaning that the corporation will be responsible for the consultation of the public for the possible negative impacts of the platform.
Research on the Subject
However, in an interview back in January 2021, President of Atlantic Lottery Corporation Chris Keevill stated that it is not up to the lottery to decide if the public should be involved in talks of government-run online casino. And on February 1, 2021, the corporation came out with reports of two different organizations that have conducted expert reviews on the matter. The ALC further stated that the reviews suggested that the online casino would not harm vulnerable players or other Canadian jurisdictions of already available online casino games.
Prince Edward Island’s officials approved the plan for a virtual casino three days before last Christmas, without previous announcements or information that the subject is under consideration. The approval of the online platform stirred the pot among opposition parties since due to the unprecedented situation more and more people are staying at home making them much more vulnerable to compulsive gambling.
Safer Gambling
In Compton’s words due to staying more at home, more and more people have resorted to offshore websites, which according to the ALC, local players spend nearly CA$100 million on an annual basis. This is why Compton believes that is for the better to launch a government-run online casino, which will be able to provide certain protective measures and limitations to players.
The opposition argues that such introduction of an online casino platform by the Crown corporation could expose many more Prince Edward Island residents to more risks of addiction since many households are already having enough difficulties with the ongoing financial crisis. Trish Altass health critic for the Green Party was adamant that the government should not be promoting gambling in order to profit off of the people.
Not the Time
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation had plans for online casinos for the whole province, however, New Brunswick is the only region that has received the green light for an online casino platform. And in August saw the official launch of the New Brunswick digital casino, which must satisfy all gambler’s needs while the land-based casinos are still closed down. The Crown corporation’s plans for digital expansion have faced a backlash from communities and media, with arguments that this might not be the right time keeping in mind the new world crisis.
Is the ALC Part of the Problem?
The gaming industry suffered a turbulent 2020 year with major crashes in revenue due to not-operational land-based casinos, this is why the ALC turning its focus to online gambling. However, with the recent launch of New Brunswick online casino, concerns were raised about whether the company is starting a wave of compulsive gambling since many people have too much free time on their hands. With bets allowing players to wager up to CA$100 on a single spin, which surpasses the legal limit.
Source: Campbell, Kerry, « Online casino moving ahead with no public consultation plans, says P.E.I. finance minister« , CBC, February 1, 2021
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