Canada is now considering the possibilities of regulating online casinos, which would fall upon the responsibility of government run lottery bodies like Loto-Quebec.  The Montreal Gazette reported that lottery executives met at a luncheon which included a debate afterwards, discussing all the pros and cons of running online casinos and regulating an internet betting industry.

The outcome of this luncheon did not look very promising, at least according to Loto-Quebec President, Alain Cousineau.  Many of the potential problems that could manifest from government run online casino gambling have not be assessed, which include concerns regarding possible lost revenue at current land-based casinos, lost jobs for offshore operators and just how far the government would reach into the regulatory aspects.  There are many obstacles that need to be worked out, which is why Cousineau says that Loto-Quebec will not be spearheading a cause to create governmentally regulated online casinos.

Public support does not look too promising either, as a study showed that most Quebecers were not in support of having the government in control of online casinos and online gambling in general.  Yet, the monetary figures are what is fueling the fire for support.  It has been estimated that online casinos could create as much as $700 million for the Canadian government to use in its budget.

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