(Vancouver, Canada – February 16, 2015) – The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) today announced the launch of its revamped website. The new website highlights the IGC’s long history promoting fair and responsible online gaming, and advocating for robust regulation of the sector. The IGC is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1996 with its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada.
“The Interactive Gaming Council has a good story to tell with regard to online gaming and our advocacy for licensing and regulation. The association was originally established in 1996—so we have a long history of advocacy,” said IGC Chief Executive Officer Keith Furlong.
The IGC was established to provide a forum for interested parties to address issues and advance common interests in the global interactive gaming industry, to establish fair and responsible trade guidelines and practices that enhance consumer confidence, and to serve as the industry’s public policy advocate and information clearinghouse.
“In a business as politically sensitive as interactive gambling, it is important to have an informative website,” added Furlong. “The new myths and facts page allows the industry to dispel inaccuracies spread by individuals and groups that oppose the inevitable evolution of online gaming.”
One of the IGC’s core motivations has been to play a key role in advocating for government regulation. The IGC’s position is based primarily on the philosophy that a clear distinction needs to be made between attempts to regulate the Internet and attempts to regulate gambling. If a type of gambling product is permitted within a jurisdiction, then the nature of the delivery medium should not affect the nature of what is being regulated or the legal status of the product. If gambling is lawful, the means of distribution should not affect the lawfulness.
“There is no denying that Internet gambling is a difficult and complex policy issue. The opponents suggest it as a simple as prohibiting the activity and hope that it stops. History has taught us that prohibition is not the answer. For governments that want to provide protection for consumers, however, the answer is regulation,” said Furlong.
To learn more about the IGC, its history and current mission, please visit the organization’s website at igcouncil.org.
Media Inquiries contact Keith Furlong (keithf@igcouncil.org) 1-732-687-0880
