2001-10-26
Background:

With the advent of Internet commerce and the establishment of Internet gambling sites offshore, it has been speculated that legalized gambling in Canada will soon expand to include online gambling. The Criminal Code of Canada, however, specifically restricts the way in which Internet gambling could be introduced. Provincial governments are permitted to operate computer-based lottery schemes like Internet gambling but they cannot license others to do so. Further, any province that did wish to offer Internet gambling could not take bets from out of province residents unless that other province allowed it. Finally, any type of gambling on the Internet would have to be legally available in Canada, leaving the most popular type of online gambling - single event sports betting - prohibited. Gambling@Home: Internet Gambling in Canada outlines the current state of Internet gambling in Canada, details unique policy aspects of online gambling, considers international approaches to online gambling, and speculates on the possible future of Canadian Internet gambling. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to ease any future transition to Internet gambling.

For a copy of the report please visit the website at:

http://www.cwf.ca/pubs/200111.cfm?pub_id=200111