In another battle against online gaming, Canada’s Ontario Province revealed that it would soon think about banning the online gambling ads. The intention behind the proposed bill was to put a ban or stop all the advertisements for online gaming.
This bill was in fact an amendment for the original Ontario's Consumer Protection Act of 2002, which is led by Minister Gerry Phillips.
Since, the legislation of the online gaming may not be applicable at the provincial level in Canada. this might intend to choke and ban all the ads leading to the development and promotion of online gaming.
Minister Philips is strongly making a statement to protect the youth. He claimed that "'there's no doubt that there are a substantial number of young people who are participating in these illegal gambling sites." He further feels that this is spoiling the youth, who would rather choose to play this.
Nevertheless, Philips also citied the financial problems affecting the people, which is one of the strong driving force also citing the explicit exception that the Criminal Code provides for online racetrack betting. Philips said, "In the province of Ontario, we've got a very large horseracing industry."
Also, the government has considerably brought down the revenues on lotteries and some other draws.
In fact, a recent survey revealed that the number of people aged 18-24 are almost now quadrupled in the last five years or so.
However, it can be said that the Ontario government is not following the footsteps of the recent U.S. legislation of criminalizing poker game, but it rather intended to cut down the awareness and promotion it is spreading across and the increasing access.
In fact, the Act reads as 'No person shall advertise an internet site that operates an internet gaming business contrary to the Criminal Code (Canada).' Furthermore, the following section might send strong signal in affecting the sponsorships. It reads as 'No person shall enter into a sponsorship relationship with an internet gaming business that is operated contrary to the Criminal Code (Canada).'
The deadlock continues between the government and the internet-based communities. There are several people carrying different opinions. In fact, many people presume and think that the Ontario's proposal is very much hypocritical and protectionist.
Against all these, David Wilmot, the Chairman and CEO of Ontarian horseracing concern Woodbine Entertainment Group, said "We're not saying we want a monopoly or we want to be protected." This looks like a battle, which could go down to the wire.
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