Quebec Government Committee to Oversee Online Poker Sites
Written by Matt W | Thursday, July 15th, 2010
The Canadian province of Quebec is keeping its promise to deliver legalized online poker solutions to residents by the end of this year, by announcing the appointment of a five man team to study and oversee Loto Quebec’s venture. According to Quebec’s Finance Minister, Raymond Bachand, the team will have “total freedom” to issue reports and have their opinions heard regarding the online poker and casino plans.
According to the Montreal Gazette, the team, headed by psychologist Louise Nadeau, has three years to examine the operations of the new poker sites and give their report on their findings. The team will be required to examine the social impact of online gambling and propose ways to prevent expected problems such as problem gambling.
Nadeau said that “it’s important that outsiders – who will try to be the most objective, valid and scientific– view this situation.”
Understandably, there has been opposition to the government’s plan to introduce online poker and gambling to Quebec, especially since no studies on the topic have taken place yet. However, the government is adamant that the timing is perfect to introduce legalized and regulated online poker and gambling options to the province due to the rise in popularity of offshore poker.
The logic is that if Quebecers have an option to play at a site which they know is regulated by the government and provides them with safe gaming options, they may opt to play there. In addition, at least part of the millions of dollars which leave the country each year to offshore poker sites may stay within the province’s borders.
However, 18 directors of public health in Quebec have asked the government to refrain from introducing online gambling until it is able to determine the risks that it poses to problem gamblers.
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· Written by Matt W · Filed Under Poker News · Comments Off
