Online gaming will keep money in the province

Courier-IslanderAugust 28, 2009

It makes sense to provide British Columbians with a secure, regulated online gaming alternative, where the revenues can benefit all residents.Last year, British Columbians supported offshore, unregulated internet gambling sites to the tune of $87 million - and that's a conservative estimate.And with each dollar that left the province, a lost opportunity went with it - money that could have stayed here to support charitable programs and community services across BC.And with each dollar that left the province, a lost opportunity went with it - money that could have stayed here to support charitable programs and community services across BC.

At BCLC, we think the time has come to explore a secure and regulated online alternative. Simply put, if British Columbians wish to gamble online, we'd like them to do it as customers of BCLC. It only makes sense. Gaming online is growing at a rate of 20 per cent a year. Globally, the industry is worth a staggering $12 billion a year. Like the music and mainstream media industries, the internet is irrevocably changing our business. Ignoring this change, or hoping it goes away, is not a realistic or intelligent option. Since 2004, BCLC has offered our customers online gaming entertainment through PlayNow.com. Not only has it become one of the most highly regulated and secure parts of our business, it's also become one of our most successful. And while our customers clearly like PlayNow.com, they want more variety. They want online opportunities to play the kind of games already offered in BC gaming facilities.

Furthermore, they see what the approximately 2000 offshore gambling companies are offering in the online space and wonder why they have to leave Canada (in the digital sense) to enjoy a gaming experience they would rather enjoy here, on PlayNow.com, one of the world's most secure online gaming platforms. Our customers want us to be competitive. To sustain their loyalty, not to mention diversify our business to help secure the future of gaming revenues for the entire province, we need to respond. We must go where the customer is.

That's why last week, BCLC announced its intention to include casino style games like blackjack, roulette and poker on PlayNow.com by March, 2010. This will be the first online offering of its kind in both Canada and North America. We are also taking the step to allow online customers to set their own weekly deposit limit. Research shows that when players make a conscious choice to gamble within a set amount they are more likely to do so. Online gaming, as with all gaming activities, requires that both player and service providers encourage and engage in responsible play. At BCLC, we are committed to doing our part.

We have seamlessly integrated responsible gaming services and measures into all our products, no matter where they are played or purchased - at the lottery retailer, gaming facility or online. At PlayNow.com, for example, all play is restricted to residents of British Columbia, 19 years of age or older. All identities are verified. All information is secure and transactions are monitored. Players can clearly see how long they've played, how much they've wagered and the odds of winning for any game. These features present British Columbians with a secure, regulated environment that meets or exceeds all internationally recognized responsible gambling standards. It's something that many of our new competitors in the online gaming world do not offer. But it's something British Columbians can expect as a minimum on PlayNow.com.

We are confident we can offer a competitive online gambling option to British Columbians in a responsible way. Even though some might view this as a bold move, we view as the right move, at the right time. Online gambling is a reality. So let's make sure that British Columbians have a trusted, secure option to choose from. And let's keep our money in BC.

Michael Graydon, President & CEO, BCLC