Atlantic Lottery Corporation wants to see online gaming expansion changing the local field of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia but this move managed to stir the pot. Liberal MLA Heath MacDonald stated that allowing this online gaming platform to launch operation in Prince Edward Island is not the right thing to do given the current circumstances.
Online gaming has gained quite the popularity over the past years and especially over the past ten months which gave individuals more time on their hands and took away in-person gambling in brick-and-mortar casinos and gambling halls. Atlantic Canada residents could soon welcome a new online casino powered by Atlantic Lottery Corporation but its bets managed to stir the pot.
Online Casino
It could be recalled that the summer of 2020 witnessed the official launch of a new online casino in New Brunswick, giving players what they had been missing after the temporary suspension of land-based casinos in the region. Such was the case in the entire country, with temporary reopenings in some of the provinces, followed by closures.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation wanted to make sure players have their craving for gambling satisfied online and, most importantly, that they do not find offshore gaming websites appealing and more lucrative. There are about 35 premium slot games available exclusively to the players hailing from New Brunswick. The initial plan for action included all four Atlantic Canadian provinces, but eventually, only New Brunswick received approval to witness the online casino that launched last year.
The controversial thing about it is that it introduces slot titles allowing bets amounting to CA$40, CA$80, even CA$100 per single spin. This is much more than the established low wagers on video lottery gaming within the province, never going over the CA$2.50 per spin mark. Now it became clear, that the Crown corporation wants to launch this new online offering in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island too.
What’s to Come?
The Crown corporation’s Spokesperson Molly Cormier said that the bet limits are consistent with other popular gaming offerings in New Brunswick and they should not be compared with video lottery terminals in the region. However, experts say that higher bet limits could promote problem gambling and unhealthy relationship with gaming as a whole, as players could end up losing more while gambling online.
Liberal MLA Heath MacDonald said that now is not the time for new online gaming platform in Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island’s standing committee on health and social development is currently evaluating the situation and its projected impact on problem gambling rates in the area. December 22 witnessed a green light of the participation in this new online gaming offering, as the provincial cabinet sees the positive impact it could have on the budget.
However, in the meantime, problem gambling experts are concerned by the problem gambling impact such a launch could have on the two Atlantic Canadian provinces. The ultimate insights coming from the committee could influence this new online casino’s future in the two Canadian provinces.
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