Alberta Now Wants Online Gambling
The Canadian province of Alberta, which is also headquarters to the Gambling911.com news and information website (a la the glorious city of Lloydminster), is now looking to legalize online gambling.
Alberta isn't yet prepared to offer legal online gambling, even as Ontario announced Tuesday it will forge ahead with its own Internet gaming site as it tries to capture revenues heading offshore, according to the Calgary Herald.
Experts in Canada’s richest province, however, are warning about addiction brought on by Web gambling.
"It's more harmful because you've got 24-hour access, that you can play while you're intoxicated, and that there are very few responsible gambling practices offered on most of the sites," stated Robert Williams, a co-ordinator with the Alberta Gaming Research Institute.
Some of the considerations the province will study include security and information protection as well as how to dissuade addictive behaviour.
"Obviously, there are a lot of pros and a lot of cons to be considered and nothing has been brought forward for decision," spokesman for Premier Ed Stelmach. Jerry Bellikka, said Wednesday.
Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
