Alberta is willing to launch online gambling and diversify its gambling offerings for everyone interested in more accessible gaming action. Seeking to attract the young individuals of legal age has prompted the move in this direction and opponents were quick to warn for problem gambling surge in the province. Meantime, local businesses were quick to state that they would not be negatively impacted by the launch of online gambling.
The topic of online gaming expansion throughout the state has been one of the controversial one, as raises many questions and concerns in many people. The prospects of gambling addiction levels rising and more players falling prey to compulsive gambling tendencies. Mid-January the topic became viral across Alberta, as Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis pointed out it wants to explore the opportunities of online gaming as a breath of fresh air to the gambling field of the province. If this happens, Saskatchewan would remain the last Canadian province that does not offer regulated online gambling to its residents.
Regulated Online Gambling Would Protect Players
Owners of locations to the likes of Players Lounge stated that their operation would not be negatively affected by the introduction of online offerings, as players already have access to similar offerings based in other provinces. The only difference the year 2020 would bring is the appropriate regulation that would aim to protect players and their rights, as well as provide them with adequate problem gambling battling and prevention tools.
Right now individuals have the chance to experience online gambling and there is no evidence that suggests that their interest in land-based gaming has been negatively affected by gaming available on their mobile phones. Players Lounge is a sports bar in Bonnyville with a long history, that has been able to entertain its customers. Sal Naim oversees operation onsite and he made it clear that the field does not feel threatened in any way by the projected introduction of online gaming.
He stated that the effect has been visible for years now and the fact that the provincial regulator is seeking for ways in which it could regulate the new offering in the most suitable way is not going to prevent people from finding their way to their beloved sports bar. Regulating it is a step in a positive direction, as it means that individuals would have a reliable regulator to turn to when they are being treated in an unfair way.
Land-Based Gambling Is Not Threatened
Scott Cyr, MLA who represents the electoral district of Bonnyville-Cold Lake pointed out that Alberta has to work on the regulation in order to protect its residents from scammers and fraudsters taking advantage of the unregulated field. This will, in turn, give people more confidence when gaming, as they would feel secure to continue doing so on a government-run website. There is, however, the problem gambling factor crippling and making its way in every gambling conversation.
People with addictive tendencies often feel the need to compensate for something their life lacks via addictive behavior. Gambling could be one of the ways they cope with the thing they miss and those who already experience a form of addiction could easily slip. According to a recent survey conducted by the Canadian Partnership for Responsible Gambling, about 1 percent of Albertans who gamble on a regular basis could be classified as gambling addicts.
About 4 percent of locals show similar tendencies, but to some extent and could be classified as moderate risk gamblers. Canadians are able to spend around CA$358 million a year on foreign online gambling sites, an amount that could be better utilized by the local communities. Online gambling comes with easy access that could make it a preferred pastime activity. Projections at the moment are that dreams could become reality by the end of 2020.
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