VANCOUVER, July 15 /PRNewswire/ - BCLC announced today the addition of online casino games to PlayNow.com, British Columbia's gambling website.
"We want to ensure money gambled in British Columbia stays in the province to benefit British Columbians," said Minister of Housing and Social Development, Rich Coleman. "We're going to redirect that money towards a variety of programs and services that support taxpayers and result in better health care, higher education and improved infrastructure." Globally, online gambling is a $20 billion dollar industry. British Columbia's share of this global market is estimated to be $100 million a year that was going to illegal, offshore gambling sites. The amount of money wagered online each year is presently increasing at approximately 11 per cent annually.
PlayNow.com players can now access the online games launched today in five categories; Casino, Bingo, Sports, Lottery and Games. Within each portfolio are a variety of games; for instance Casino features slot games as well as table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Sicbo, Craps, Baccarat and many more. Peer-to-peer online poker will be added later this year.
PlayNow.com generated $34 million in revenue for BCLC in 2009/10, comprising 1% of BCLC's total revenue. This number is expected to increase to 4% of total revenue by 2014 and result in approximately $100 million in additional revenue.
Currently, 140,000 British Columbians have a registered account on PlayNow.com. Anyone currently enrolled in BCLC's Voluntary Self-Exclusion program at BC Casinos and gaming facilities will be automatically excluded from playing on PlayNow.com.
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