Health Workers Speak Out Against Legal Online Gambling

Gambling News - February 21st, 2010 - Written By Glen

February has brought about changes in online gambling at an unprecedented rate. In America, the rules surrounding online gambling have become more stringent. The two major credit card companies serving the United States, VISA and MasterCard, have ceased processing payments. In Canada, however, the world of online gambling has begun to expand.

Loto-Quebec has decided to "cannibalize illegal gambling sites." By offering their own online gambling sites, Loto-Quebec aims to decrease the number of gambling sites operating within their nation. Finance Minister Raymond Bachand compared the legalization of online gambling in the province to the forming of Loto-Quebec in the 1970's, which "displaced $600 million of organized crime money."

Health care officials in the province have spoken out against online gambling. The legalization of online gambling has caused authorities in health care to claim that online gambling may lead to more pathological gambling. Officials claim that the social ramifications of legalized online gambling outweigh the benefits to the budget. It has been estimated that over $1 billion can be generated in tax revenue through the legalization of online gambling.

In Canada, the Kahnawake Commission licenses many online gambling providers, including Bodog. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is the source of licensing for many online gambling companies, not the least of which is the aforementioned Bodog brand. The legalization of online gambling in Canada has thrown into question the legalization in the United States, which is currently a subject of debate within the USA Congress. The creation of HR2267, or the Online Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act is currently a subject of hot debate in the States, and may allow for legal online gambling in the future.