| |
added on 2010-02-26 05:16:40
Last week, Loto-Quebec announced it would launch a new online gambling website.
Soon after that, The Kahnawake Gaming Commission released a statement criticizing the Quebec's Finance Minister Raymond Bachand and the statements he has made implying that a new state-run online gaming website due to launch soon would hurt the aboriginal jurisdiction.
Loto-Quebec, state-run provincial lottery operator, has recently announced it has received the government's approval for establishing the new site in conjunction the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
The Finance Minister said the new website will offer measures to combat underage gambling, and it will feature options for self-exclusion and deposit limits.
Loto-Quebec's new website will soon compete with other important established online operators such as: PokerStars, Party Gaming, Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet.
Quebec residents currently have access to over 2,000 “illegal and unregulated gaming sites that are dubious integrity”, noted Loto-Quebec.
“Characterizing all online gaming sites that presently offer their services in Québec as lacking in integrity is offensive, not only to gaming regulators throughout the world but also to the many outstanding entrepreneurs that have built this industry and who are much better positioned to comment on its integrity than is Loto-Quebec," stated Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was established in 1996 and it was one of the first jurisdictions in the world. It has been continuously licensing and regulating online gambling since July, 1999.
The KGC also stated that the Loto-Quebec's entry on the online gambling market is far too late and it will not be able to compete with established operators like PartyGaming, PokerStars, as well as the Kahnawake's own brands such as Ruby Fortune and Grand Play.
“It is disappointing to note that Quebec fails to understand or deliberately ignores the opportunities for synergy between Loto-Quebec and Kahnawake. Loto-Quebec's online gambling operation could be hosted from Mohawk Internet Technologies. The [lottery regulator] could work with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission to harmonise their regulations concerning online gaming.”
“Over the past twelve years, Kahnawake’s participation in the online gaming industry has generated more employment, highly skilled training opportunities, fiscal advantages and positive global recognition than any other economic development venture in Kahnawake's history. Now that Quebec has decided to ‘legalize’ online gaming for its purposes, it has a perfect opportunity to ‘participate as partners’ with Kahnawake to advance this developing industry. Instead, Quebec has chosen to continue its implicit demonization of Kahnawake. This is truly disappointing and, unless Quebec reconsiders its position, will certainly colour the relations that Kahnawake and Quebec seek to maintain in other areas.”
|
|
|
|
