By Daniel O |Apr 19, 2009

Canada May Get Online Gambling

Atlantic Lottery Corp. is reported to build an online sports betting website.

Online gambling, sports betting specifically, if legalized in Canada, will allow Canadians to place their wagers on sporting events from their homes without having to step into the cold winter air, and draw Americans across the border in spite of the weather.

Nova Scotia, in Canada's Atlantic region, is considering online gambling, sports betting, casinos and poker in the province.

Provincial lottery corporation the Atlantic Lottery Corp. is said to have hired a software developer to build a sports betting platform. On its website the Atlantic Lottery Corp. said: "In order to remain relevant to our players we must deliver what the player wants in the safest and most entertaining way possible."

Moreover, it will not be only a safe and entertaining service, but a first to Canadians from Nova Scotia.

Objections

Michel Samson of the Nova Scotia Legislature voiced his criticism of such a move, questioning whether controls would be in place to protect minors, though the necessary screening software already exists in the online gambling world and elsewhere on the Web.

Regional effect

Legal online gambling in such proximity to the US will make travel so much shorter for many Americans to place their bets on sporting events. Until online gambling is legalized in the US as well, that is.