Canadian Gaming Exec Pans New U.S. Law
Published: Thursday, October 05, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
CANADIAN GAMING EXEC PANS NEW U.S. LAW
“It ignores the reality of what is actually happening," says gaming chief.
The head of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation has panned a decision by the U.S. Congress that effectively outlaws online financial transactions in the United States with online gambling companies, saying it will do little to combat problem gamblers.
Marie Mullally said the legislation could force gamblers underground, making it less likely they will seek the help they need to deal with an issue afflicting more people in both the USA and Canada.
“It ignores the reality of what is actually happening — there are people playing online and people will continue to play online in the States regardless of this law,” she said after a speech during a business luncheon. Mullally said it likely won’t address the problem of online gambling abuse, particularly among growing numbers of youths, since people will likely find ways to bet on some of the estimated 2 000 gambling sites on the Internet.
She said the best way to control the problem is by regulating online gaming, something several countries are focusing on as they try to reduce rising numbers of computer gamers. “I think what’s really important is that gaming is regulated, it’s safe, it’s controlled and it’s legal,” she said.
Mullally insisted the corporation, which brought in $174 million in profits for 2005-06, is trying to combat the rise in gambling addiction and prevent young people from becoming involved. The corporation invested $7 million last year in what it calls responsible gaming initiatives and treatment for problem gamblers. Much of that went to ad campaigns, educational programs and in trying out a device that could limit a player’s time and expenditure at a machine.
Almost 90 percent of people in the province gamble but the majority do so without risk. Just under one per cent of those, or 7 000 people, are considered problem gamblers.
