Private Online Gambling Operators Lobbying for Online Gambling Legislation in British Columbia
Private industry groups are pushing for a competitive iGaming market in British Columbia, citing Ontario and Alberta as models.
Will British Columbia be the next Canadian province to adopt regulated gaming, following the example of Ontario and (soon) Alberta? Looking at conversations with people in the gaming industry and with representatives of the B.C. government on the topic, one could say, “maybe.” Or “too soon to say.” How about “not necessarily”?
-
Image
The Private Lobbying Effort in British Columbia
One thing we know for sure is that there are discussions being held. The B.C. lobbyists registry says:
BC Lobbyist Registry |
Amee Barber, a consultant lobbyist, is lobbying public office holders at several public agencies on behalf of The Canadian Gaming Association regarding information on regulating iGaming, including information on markets in other jurisdictions in Canada. Barber is also is lobbying public office holders at several public agencies on behalf of the Canadian Online Gaming Alliance, regarding the creation of a regulatory regime for internet gaming. – Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists, British Columbia |
Lobbyists are Veterans of the Game
COGA has long roots in the country. Its spokesman, Troy Ross, has worked for iGaming operators in Canada since 2006. “COGA are licensed and regulated in Ontario, most European jurisdictions, and a growing number of US states,” Ross told Odds Shark. “Our objective is to educate elected officials and policymakers across Canada about the benefits of regulated iGaming.”
COGA include Party Casino.
Odds Shark Spoke with Troy Ross
Ross said Alberta's impending adoption of a regulated market doesn’t automatically make it more likely that B.C. will do the same.
“A number of folks are engaging decision makers in B.C., but these discussions are just beginning,” Ross said, declining to speculate about the B.C. government’s plans to regulate, or to suggest a time frame for that to happen. “It’s too early to tell what the B.C. government may do.”
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s platform, PlayNow, is currently the only legal gaming option in the province.
One industry source said whenever provincial entities such as the BCLC are compelled to discuss the potential advent of regulated iGaming, they make sure to toss around like illegal and criminal as much as possible.
But Ross told Odds Shark that the number of Canadian provinces considering regulation is growing because of the success of the Ontario model.
Troy Ross spoke to Odds Shark |
Ontario has channelled nearly 90% of the play in a compliance regime, compared to about 20% market capture by lottery corporation sites alone. A high channelization rate means responsible gaming features, youth prevention, and consumer protections for nearly 100% of the play versus 20%. – Troy Ross | TRM President & COGA Spokesperson |
B.C. Government Happy with Current State of Affairs
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is the department that speaks on behalf of the B.C. government on the topic of gaming. In an emailed statement, the ministry said the government is not currently planning any changes to gaming regulations, regardless of what’s happening in Alberta.
Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General |
The online gambling industry is evolving rapidly in Canada, impacted by the legalization of single events sports betting in August 2021, the launch of iGaming Ontario in April 2022, and the recent announcement that Alberta intends to open its online gambling market,” the statement said. The B.C. government is concerned about the risks that unregulated online gambling websites pose to British Columbians, such as fraud, access by minors, lack of responsible gambling controls, potential risk of money laundering, and failure to contribute to provincial gambling revenue. We continue to work with BCLC to explore options to inform BC’s approach to addressing unregulated online gambling in our province. – Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General | British Columbia |
Again referring to single event sports betting becoming legal in August 2021, followed by regulation in Ontario in April 2022, the ministry says those developments led to “the proliferation of online gambling advertising across the country, and market confusion for players.”
“Many operators licensed only in Ontario appear to have purchased significant national advertising packages with Canadian broadcasters. In addition, many gambling websites hosted outside of Canada allow B.C. residents to gamble on their platforms, including the international arms of Ontario-licensed sites,” it said. “These sites operate outside of B.C.’s jurisdiction and do not offer the same responsible gambling safeguards which prioritize player protection, available under PlayNow.com, the only legal gambling site in B.C.”
Watching How It Goes in Ontario
The Ministry of Public Safety says B.C. is monitoring developments in Ontario’s online gambling market to learn from its experience around public health and safety.
“While regulation may enhance consumer protection and oversight for those currently gambling on unregulated sites, the B.C. government is concerned that increased accessibility and visibility of online gambling options may elevate population-level risk for gambling harms,” said the ministry’s statement. “BCLC’s PlayNow.com remains the only legal, regulated online gambling website in B.C., meeting our high standards for regulation including responsible gambling safeguards and age verification. It is also the only site that delivers net income back to government to fund important programs and services.”
