“New Report Questions Canadian Attitudes to Online Gambling”

Colin Campbell believes that tens of thousands of Canadians are gambling addicts, and a large percentage of these are turning to crime and fraud in order to support their habits. “Embezzlements, bad cheques, credit fraud…the police generally don’t have an interest in digging below the surface of the crime to establish the root cause,” Campbell says.

This statement is just one of the findings listed in an independent report – of which Campbell is one of the co-authors – prepared for the Law Commission of Canada. A host of thorny issues are examined under the auspices of the report in an attempt to provide guidance to the Canadian parliament on the ambiguous nature of gambling in Canada.

The government’s job is made more difficult due to the gambling industry being generally accepted throughout most of the country, despite being illegal in all but three of Canada’s provinces. One exception to legislation outlawing gambling is the state of Quebec, where the gambling industry is controlled legally by the Mohawks of Kahnawake.

Another major concern highlighted in the report aside from gambling addiction is the financial loss many experience at internet casino sites. A consumer advocate based in Montreal, Sol Boxenbaum believes that current legislation is causing billions of dollars to leave the country. “Except for three provinces that are following the law, private companies are involved,” he says. “Canadian law only permits provinces and charities to legally operate gaming houses.”

Boxenbaum, who believes gambling in Canada is out of control, is in favor of government intervention and legislation. Colin Campbell also supports this approach. “We think it’s in Canada’s national interest that the federal government sit down and re-examine the whole issue of gambling,” says Campbell.

The Canadian parliament is currently evaluating the report, with recommendations on the role of internet gambling in Canada expected to be made public next year.