27-Oct-06. Lottery changes coming. Lethbridge Herald, A1.

Improvements to West Canada Lottery Corporation’s network of terminals next year will make it easier for consumers to know if they’re holding a winning ticket. The new terminals will sound an audible tone when a winning ticket is scanned. Other upgrades will include customer display units so consumers can see the results as their tickets are checked.

29-Oct-06. Candidates shy away from gambling debate. Calgary Herald, A4.

This article notes that there are now 19 casinos in Alberta and that the province has the distinction of having more casinos per capita than any major city in North America next to Las Vegas. Contenders for the province’s Tory leadership contenders have varying opinions on whether gambling – particularly VLTs – should be a major issue debated during the leadership campaign. Several candidates want to see VLTs restricted to gambling houses while others see no problem with the proliferation of casinos.

29-Oct-06. Extortionists invading online gambling: study. Edmonton Journal, A5.

This newsbrief reports on a new study led by criminologist John McMullan which examined extortion in the online gambling industry. The Saint Mary’s University study, entitled Fear and Trembling on the Internet: Hacking and Cyber-Extortion at Online Gambling Sites, reported that organized crime networks are demanding ransoms from offshore gambling websites, using the threat of shutting them down to extract payouts.

28-Oct-06. Britain to press nations to regulate Web gambling. Globe and Mail, B10.

This newsbrief reports that Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Africa and other nations will meet on October 31 in London to attempt to agree on a code of conduct for companies that offer gambling online. U.S. officials were invited to the meeting but declined to attend.

28-Oct-06. Online gaming crackdown America’s new ‘Prohibition’. Calgary Herald, C8.

Britain’s culture secretary Tessa Jowell warned that the U.S. ban on Internet gambling would make unregulated offshore sites the modern equivalent of speakeasies that opened in 1920s America when alcohol was banned during Prohibition. Earlier this month U.S. Congress added a provision to an unrelated bill that would make it illegal for banks and credit-card companies to settle payments for online gambling sites. U.S. officials have declined to participate in an international summit on Internet gambling that is taking place next week in London. Legislators from 30 countries will discuss ways to regulate the industry, including the protection of minors and keeping the industry free of crime.

27-Oct-06. Gala launch of River Cree casino a bubbly affair. Edmonton Journal, B3.

The $178-million River Cree Resort and Casino held a private event for 1,500 invited guests on Wednesday. Bob Westbury, Enoch Paragon management board chairman, introduced speakers at the reception and praised the vision of Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. Klein had envisioned what he termed destination casinos on First Nation people’s lands. Enoch Chief Ron Morin was also honoured for spearheading the drive for a casino resort.

27-Oct-06. Review of lottery winners pondered. Calgary Herald, A7.

The Western Canada Lottery Corp. (WCLC) may review recent lottery winners to reassure the public that ticket retailers have not been collecting an outsized share of prizes. The WCLC does not keep track of precisely who is winning Alberta lotteries but winners are extensively interviewed and questioned on the circumstances of their ticket purchase. A survey of recent 10 lottery winners in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba showed there was only one case that involved people who sell tickets and they were part of an office pool.

27-Oct-06. Ontario’s ombudsman launches lottery probe. National Post, A3.

Ontario’s ombudsman has launched an independent probe into how the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation protects the public from theft or fraud related to winning lottery tickets and how it responds to potential theft or fraud involving winnings. The announcement comes one day after the CBC’s Fifth Estate alleged an unusually high number of inside winners, such as ticket retailers or clerks, have won major prizes over the past seven years.

27-Oct-06. Ombudsman to investigate ‘insider’ lottery wins. Globe and Mail, A8.

The Ontario ombudsman will investigate allegations about “insiders” winning a disproportionate number of lotteries to restore public confidence in the province’s lottery corporation. He said he had received few complaints from lottery-ticket buyers but said he was concerned with the lottery corporation’s initial defensiveness and by the government’s refusal to appoint an independent investigator.

27-Oct-06. Ombudsman to investigate ‘insider’ lottery wins. Globe and Mail, A8.

The Ontario ombudsman will investigate allegations about “insiders” winning a disproportionate number of lotteries to restore public confidence in the province’s lottery corporation. He said he had received few complaints from lottery-ticket buyers but said he was concerned with the lottery corporation’s initial defensiveness and by the government’s refusal to appoint an independent investigator.

27-Oct-06. Ontario lottery scandal may spark Alberta review of winners. Edmonton Journal, B5.

The Western Canada Lottery Corp. (WCLC) may review recent lottery winners to reassure the public that ticket retailers have not been collecting an outsized share of prizes. Ontario’s ombudsman said yesterday that he will investigate allegations that lottery ticket retailers have been winning more than their fair share after a CBC documentary report aired suggesting otherwise. The WCLC does not keep track of precisely who is winning Alberta lotteries and retail clerks do not fall under the corporation’s ‘insider win’ policy. A spokesperson said that the corporation’s current records don’t exist that would not allow a statistical analysis similar to the one undertaken in Ontario.

27-Oct-06. Ontario lottery ripoff raises questions here. Edmonton Sun, 7.

The Western Canada Lottery Corp. may review recent lottery winners to reassure the public that ticket retailers have not been collecting an outsized share of prizes. Ontario’s ombudsman said yesterday that he will investigate allegations that lottery ticket retailers have been winning more than their fair share after a CBC documentary report aired suggesting otherwise. A quick survey of recent 10 lottery winners in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba showed there was only one case that involved people who sell tickets and they were part of an office pool.

26-Oct-06. Another lottery gamble. Globe and Mail, A20.

This editorial discusses the legal dispute between the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) and 82-year old Bob Edmonds which was profiled in a CBC-TV Fifth Estate documentary. Edmonds claimed that he was defrauded in 2001 out of a winning lottery ticket by a variety store owner and was largely ignored by the OLGC until he went to police. The OLGC fought Edmonds until 2005 and settled with him just as a civil jury was about to pronounce on the case. The author states that the Ontario government should allow details of the settlement to be publicly available and notes that lottery fraud is not necessarily isolated to this single case.

26-Oct-06. Macau supplants Las Vegas as top gambling location. Globe and Mail, B10.

Leisure industry consultancy Globalysis Ltd. estimates that casino revenues from Macao have now overtaken those of Las Vegas, Nevada. Gambling earning have boomed in Macau since 2001 when the government ended tycoon Stanley Ho’s 40-year monopoly on casinos in the city and allowed foreign operators. Growth has been fuelled by a rise in tourism from China.

26-Oct-06. Stores say lotto flaw in report. Calgary Sun, 4.

Variety store owners condemned allegations by the CBC’s Fifth Estate that 100 unknowing winners had tickets stolen by clerks over the past seven years. The report alluded to a disproportionate number of the province’s 10,500 lottery retailers having “insider” knowledge that let them claim wins above $50,000 and averaging $500,000.

26-Oct-06. Unscrupulous lotto ticket clerks accused of ripoff. Calgary Herald, A6.

Ontario lottery officials said the province has gone to great lengths to prevent fraud, installing electronic equipment such as in-store ticket checkers, terminals that play music for winning tickets and investigating retailers who turn up as winners. A CBC Fifth Estate documentary, which aired Wednesday, found a disproportionate number of “insiders” in Ontario have won prizes of $50,000 or more since 1999. A statistical expert said it was virtually impossible to account for that by simple luck.

26-Oct-06. Insider-jackpot probe draws scorn. Globe and Mail, A1.

The Ontario government is allowing the province’s lottery corporation to conduct its own review of allegations that an extraordinary number of “insiders” have won prizes of $50,000 or more since 1999. The CBC TV program The Fifth Estate has alleged that more than two-thirds of these wins may have involved the deception of a customer who bought the ticket. New Democrat MPP Peter Kormos said the government should ask the provincial auditor to conduct an independent probe of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.

26-Oct-06. The price of easy money. National Post, A22.

This editorial-style comment by Father Raymond J. De Souza discusses the fact that gambling has seemingly purchased new credibility with the public. He notes that gambling revenue is being regarded as a solution to problems such as urban renewal, First Nations development, tourism development, and school fundraising. He says that there is something ignoble about using it as an all-purpose means of fundraising, and as a replacement for revenues previously provided by taxation or charitable giving.

26-Oct-06. Lottery deceit? Lethbridge Herald, A1.

Ontario lottery officials said the province has gone to great lengths to prevent fraud, installing electronic equipment such as in-store ticket checkers, terminals that play music for winning tickets and investigating retailers who turn up as winners. A CBC Fifth Estate documentary, which aired Wednesday, found a disproportionate number of “insiders” in Ontario have won prizes of $50,000 or more since 1999. A statistical expert said it was virtually impossible to account for that by simple luck.

26-Oct-06. Alberta’s 18th casino opens today. Lethbridge Herald, A2.

When it opens today on the Enoch reserve at the western fringe of Edmonton, the River Cree Resort and Casino will be the 18th casino in the Province of Alberta. Gary Smith, who studies gambling at the University of Alberta and the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, believes the province is likely close to its casino saturation point. Stephanie Francis of the provincial gaming commission said casino proposals are being put on hold for the next 10 months while the commission researches the impacts.

25-Oct-06. 214 lottery ‘insiders’ won big bucks. Globe and Mail, A1.

The CBC television program The Fifth Estate alleges that more than two-thirds of 214 lottery “insiders” who won prizes of $50,000 or more in Ontario since 1999 may have involved the deception of a customer who bought the ticket. A statistical analysis of the number of insider wins by University of Toronto professor Jeffrey Rosenthal concluded that few than 60 insiders, such as ticket retailers or clerks, should have won major prizes during the period that was investigated. The Ontario Lottery Corporation is disputing the conclusions of the program. They have, however, been embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute with an Ontario senior citizen over this same issue.

25-Oct-06. Economic potential main topic of meet. Edmonton Journal, G1.

Today’s Canadian Indigenous Business Association economic development conference in Edmonton will include key sessions on gaming and the energy sector. The gaming panel will outline opportunities in the gaming sector and include representatives of First Nations casino resorts in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario.

22-Oct-06. Living the dream. Edmonton Journal, E6.

This lengthy article profiles the lives of several of the 17 Albertans who shared in Canada’s biggest lottery prize one year ago. Some of the winners said that their good fortune has brought familial stress and hard feelings with co-workers. A few winners quit their jobs although many indicated that their lives had not changed significantly with the exception that they are now financially secure for the future.

23-Oct-06. Enoch sees lucky break in casino. Edmonton Journal, A1.

The River Cree casino and resort on the Enoch Cree reserve west of Edmonton opened its doors for a community open house on Sunday. About 200 First Nations people have been hired to fill jobs at the resort complex which represents one-third of staff. The Enoch Cree partnered with Paragon Gaming of Las Vegas to undertake the project which is intended to spearhead economic development on the reserve.

23-Oct-06. River Cree Casino beats odds, opens early. Edmonton Journal, A17.

The River Cree Resort and Casino will open on October 26th on the Enoch Cree Nation reserve west of Edmonton. The Enoch Cree partnered in the $178-million development with Paragon Gaming of Las Vegas. Ledcor Construction and other partners were able to move the casino's opening forward by two months thanks to expert planning and favourable weather.

21-Oct-06. Native casino rules loosened. Calgary Herald, B4.

The Alberta government has revamped the list of areas where First Nations can spend their charitable gaming revenues. In an announcement on Friday, the government announced that this revenue can now be used for addictions treatment, community safety programs, cultural events, elders support, on-reserve housing, and infrastructure and life-skills training. Six First Nations in Alberta have casinos under construction or nearing final approval. Gambling revenues from native casinos will be split several ways, with First Nations keeping most of the profits and a portion going to Alberta lottery funds.

21-Oct-06. Brighter days ahead? Lethbridge Herald, A1.

A list of new policies adopted by the Alberta government will allow First Nation charities to spend gaming proceeds in ways that directly benefit their communities. Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development says provincial gaming policies and funds will focus on education, finding adequate housing and promoting proper governance on the reservces. In 2004, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission approved its first on-reserve casino on the Enoch Cree Nation after two years of planning.

21-Oct-06. Gov't revamps gaming spending. Edmonton Journal, B11.

The Alberta government has revamped the list of areas where First Nations can spend their charitable gaming revenues. In an announcement on Friday, the government announced that this revenue can now be used for addictions treatment, community safety programs, cultural events, elders support, on-reserve housing, and infrastructure and life-skills training. Six First Nations in Alberta have casinos under construction or nearing final approval.

21-Oct-06. Biggest bookmaker on the block protecting its turf. Globe and Mail, A15.

This subject of this editorial is the Ontario government's proposal to ban advertising on Internet gambling because it is concerned about young people becoming addicted. The author suggests that the ban could not be a true moral crusade again gambling because the government itself has been directly responsible for much of its growth over the past 30 years. He says that the message the Ontario government's ban is really sending is that it does not want any competition from Internet gambling.

20-Oct-06. Racing official wants to compete on level field. Globe and Mail, S4.

David Willmot, the chairman and chief executive officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group has told the Ontario government that they should either throw the field wide open for the domestic industry to participate or enact legislation that handicaps foreign-based online gambling operators. Proposed legislation before the Ontario legislature would ban advertising for online gambling operations. Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said on Wednesday that both the study warning about youth gambling activities and a fall in horse race track revenues had influenced the proposed legislation.

20-Oct-06. Ontario’s outfit protects its turf. National Post, A14.

This editorial discusses Ontario’s proposed legislation that will forbid media companies from accepting advertising for cash-based gambling web sites. The author argues that the provincial government is attempting to unfairly suppress Internet gambling while generating huge profits from its own casino and lottery operations. In addition, the author cites a survey by the Responsible Gambling Council that actually found that moderate-to-severe problem gambling declined slightly amongst 18-to-24-year-olds between 2001 and 2005.

19-Oct-06. Ontario moves to end illegal Web gambling. National Post, A2.

Gerry Phillips, Ontario’s Minister of Government Services, will table a bill of amendments to Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act, including a section aimed at banning media organizations from running ads by gambling Web sites. A ministry spokesperson said all Web sites that take money bets from Canadians are illegal under the Criminal Code because the provinces have exclusive authority over all forms of gambling. Legal experts say recent U.S. actions and those of Ontario are similar in that neither government has made Internet gambling illegal outright, but both have put a damper on the industry through indirect actions against it.

19-Oct-06. Catholic board to seek non-gambling funds. Calgary Herald, B4.

The Calgary Catholic school district voted to seek fundraising alternatives other than gambling despite the objections of two trustees. The plan to wean Catholic schools off money raised through casinos and bingos by the fall of 2007 was announced jointly by chairwoman Cathie Williams and Bishop Fred Henry last month.

19-Oct-06. All bets are off, if Ontario has its way. Globe and Mail, B5.

The Ontario government is expected to introduce consumer legislation today that will ban advertisements of illegal Internet gambling web sites. The law will mean that media companies will have to closely examine all advertisements to make sure they don’t include indirect web links to illegal sites. Gerry Phillips, Ontario’s Minister of Government Services, said the province wanted to act because of studies that show an increasing number of young people are gambling on the Internet. He also said that he has been under pressure from the province’s horse racing industry which is concerned about a decline in business because of Internet gambling.

18-Oct-06. Smoking ban will kick in Jan. 1. Calgary Herald, A1.

Calgary aldermen voted Tuesday to move up the date of the city's smoking ban to January 1, 2007. An exception to the revised bylaw allows establishments that have already built ventilated smoking rooms to continue offering a smoking environment in 2007. Bingos and casinos were also given a one-year repreive. All businesses will have to abide by the bylaw beginning in 2008.

18-Oct-06. Sports Select caters to a casual crowd. Calgary Herald, D1.

A sports betting expert and consultant says that serious bettors prefer wagering on Internet gambling sites to provincial sports lottery games. He says that the provincial games offer poor value because gamblers are forced to combine winning predictions from three games which gives the house a huge edge. According to Randle the Handle, a typical offshore betting operation has a profit margin of around four per cent while the Western Canada Lottery Corporation clears about 30 per cent annual on sports wagering.

18-Oct-06. Betting on horses leaves the track. Calgary Herald, D3.

Betting on horse racing in Alberta has largely moved from the clubhouses of horseracing tracks to HOT (horses off track) shops according to this article. Live mutual handles at racing locations have represented just 25 per cent of total betting in Alberta during recent years as HOT accout for the majority of bets. Wagering and attendance at horse racing events fell off in the early 1990s at about the time video lottery terminals were introduced. During the past few years, wagering has levelled off at approximately $150-million and has shown slight increases over the last three years.

17-Oct-06. Absolute insanity. Calgary Herald, F1.

This detailed article profiles a sports gambler named Gary who is currently seeking treatment for his gambling-related problems. Gary discusses his all-consuming passion for sports wagering and relates the various ways that it has affected his life over the past fifteen years.

16-Oct-06. The future of Internet wagering? All bets are off. Calgary Herald, C3.

This article examines the future of Internet gambling by interviewing several experts on the subject. Dr. Robert Wood, a professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge, says that prohibition of Internet gambling will not work and that laws governing gambling in Canada are outdated and based on early-20th, late-19th-century society. The author suggests that Canadian and American governments have three options with respect to online gambling: turn a blind eye to the activity, regulate the industry, or shut it down completely.

16-Oct-06. Smoke-free fight mustn’t stop here. Calgary Herald, A16.

This editorial by smoke-free activist Robin Hauck discusses the City of Calgary’s amended smoking bylaw which moves the implementation date for a smoking ban to January 1, 2007. The Calgary Pub and Bar association as well as bingo managers are hoping city council will approve amendments to the bylaw so that smoking on patios and smoking rooms will be allowed. Hauck cites various studies that say charitable gaming revenue declines pre-date smoke-free ordinances.

15-Oct-06. The new drug of choice. Calgary Herald, A3.

Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse counsellor Ria Meronek believes that the gradual rise in problem gambling treatment services for poker players is due to the growing popularity of the game in casinos and online. She and other cousellors are predicting that, in 10 to 15 years, the Internet gambling will replace the VLT (video lottery terminal) gambling as the most commonly treated problem gambling format.

15-Oct-06. Casino ready to roll. Edmonton Sun, 57.

The $180-million River Cree Resort and Casino will officially open on October 26 and is located on the Enoch Cree Nation on Edmonton’s western outskirts. Vice-president and general manager Brian Lee notes that it is the first First Nations casino in Alberta as well as Edmonton’s largest casino. At present, approximately 25 to 30 per cent of current casino staff hired are either Enoch Cree Nation or First Nations individuals.

14-Oct-06. Net fuels betting boom. Calgary Herald, A1.

This article is the first in a five-part series of articles entitled Between the Lines: An inside look at sports gambling. Gambling on sports has become increasingly easier and more popular because of the proliferation of online sports wagering web sites. The social costs of sports gambling and online poker are not yet fully understood but experts predict an increase in problem gambling and underage bettors.

13-Oct-06. Enoch casino contracts fire service from Edmonton. Edmonton Journal, B2.

Edmonton’s fire department has started providing fire service to the new casino on the Enoch Cree Nation for an annual fee of $1-million. The $178-million River Cree Resort and Casino is expected to open October 26 on the reserve just west of Edmonton. Four other First Nations, the Tsuu T’ina outside Calgary, the Stoney near Kananaskis, the Cold Lake First Nation in Cold Lake and the Alexis Nakoda First Nation in Whitecourt, have Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission approval to build casinos. Two groups from Hobbema, the Samson First Nation and the Louis Bull-Montana First Nation, are in the final steps of also winning approval.

13-Oct-06. Smoking ban will be reignited. Calgary Herald, B1.

Ratification of a bid to have Calgary’s smoking ban moved up to January is uncertain as some city aldermen are seeking an exemption for bingos. Ray Jones, Dale Hodges and Andre Chabot would like a lasting exemption for bingos as they have reportedly struggled to survive smoking bans in other jurisdictions. Alderman Joe Ceci noted that there has been research that casts doubt on whether the bans have been at the root of diminishing bingo revenues in other cities.

11-Oct-06. Luck is no lady. Edmonton Sun, 26.

In this article, the author claims that most gamblers across Canada believe in superstitions, rituals or some form of luck when it comes to their gambling behaviour. Stuart Vyse, professor of psychology at Connecticut College and author of Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition, says that superstitious beliefs promote gambling.

7-Oct-06. Cashing in on betting fever. National Post, FP1.

This lengthy article looks at the global growth in consumer spending on all forms of gambling which was estimated in 2004 at $US 244-billion. Statistics Canada says the growth of Canada’s gambling industry has far outpaced all other industries since 1992. Jason Azmier, senior policy analyst at the Canada West Foundation, noted that trapping the leakage of gambling revenue to overseas or illegal operators has served as effective justification for expansion of legal lotteries and casinos.

7-Oct-06. Regulate gambling or lose the income. National Post, FP2.

The world’s largest computer facilities for online gaming are located on the Mohawk First Nations Reserve, also known as Aswesasne, which straddles the borders of Ontario, Quebec and the United States. Unlike the United States, the Canadian government has not been cracking down on Internet gambling as gambling is a provincial matter and because of governmental fear of enforcing laws on any First Nations reserve. William Rutsey, president of the Canadian Gaming Association, says that provincial failure to crack down, or license, Internet gambling operations exposes the public to needless risk.

7-Oct-06. Gambling on a Web of legal definitions. National Post, FP4.

This article provides an interpretation of the Criminal Code of Canada as it relates to the legality of Internet gambling. John Tuzyk, a specialist in gaming law, says that the legality of the Kahnewake Gaming Commission’s Quebec operations outside of tribal lands is questionable. He suggests that provinces are likely to want to protect the significant revenue they gain from their own gambling operations and may, at some point, prohibit advertising for illegal Internet gambling sites.

4-Oct-06. Demon gambling. National Post, FP1.

This lengthy article by Reuven Brenner and Ira Terk references the U.S. Senate bill that passed yesterday making it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites. The article provides numerous historical examples of opposition to gambling from many groups who are said to have self-serving interests. History has shown that the restriction of gambling activities inevitably fails. Regulation of a particular gambling industry generally occurs after the significant costs and long-term consequences of prohibition become evident.

4-Oct-06. Bill would close offshore NFL betting. Edmonton Journal, D7.

A decision by U.S. lawmakers to make it more difficult for Americans to gambling on sporting events is welcome news for the National Football League (NFL) and Las Vegas sports book operators.

4-Oct-06. WHL shocked at betting website. Edmonton Journal, D4.

Western Hockey League players, coaches and officials were surprised to discover that an offshore Internet gambling web site is accepting bets on their league. WHL commissioner Ron Robison said he would attempt to prevent the site from using the WHL name. Gambling consultant Randall the Handle says the league has no recourse as long as the web site is licensed in their jurisdiction.

4-Oct-06. U.S. law prods CryptoLogic to place its bets elsewhere. Globe and Mail, B13.

The board of directors at CryptoLogic Inc., one of Canada’s fastest growing software firms, made a decision this week to turn its back on the United States online gambling market. The move came shortly after the U.S. Congress passed legislation on the weekend that forbids Internet gambling companies from accepting U.S. financial transactions. CryptoLogic will now configure its software so that none of the companies licensing its technology will be able to take bets from players with U.S. addresses.

3-Oct-06. An old sin and a bad new law. National Post, FP1.

This article is an editorial commenting on a recent bill rushed through the U.S. Congress which would make it illegal for U.S. banks to process payments to illegal offshore Internet gambling operations. Though conservative politicians see this as a major moral initiative, the author contends that a ban on this form of gambling will be nearly impossible to enforce. It is describes as being a case where technology is overtaking lawmakers and the law. In Canada, federal officials do not appear to have plans to crack down on Internet gaming operators.

3-Oct-06. U.S. Congress deals harsh hand to online gaming. Edmonton Journal, F1.

A move by the Congress to ban online gambling in the United States caused $7-billion in stock market losses yesterday and devalued shares in Canadian gambling software company CryptoLogic Inc. In Britain, where many Internet gambling companies trade, the top three companies announced they were pulling out of the United States completely. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved the bill to make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.

3-Oct-06. Playing a game with individual liberties. Globe and Mail, A18.

In this editorial, the author discusses the U.S. government’s recent attempt to restrict Internet gambling by making it illegal for U.S. banks to allow their credit cards to be used for online gambling. It is suggested that the new legislation is aimed more at restricting the flow of U.S. currency to gambling companies based in other countries that it is about protecting gamblers. The author recommends that the U.S. needs to regulate rather than ban the practice.

3-Oct-06. Gaming stocks tumble on U.S. legislation. Calgary Herald, D6.

Stocks of Canadian Internet gambling companies were down in the wake of legislation passed by the U.S. Congress that effectively outlaws online wagering in the United States. The legislation is part of a port security bill passed by the House and Senate on Saturday. It prohibits the use of credit cards, cheques and electronic fund transfers for online gaming.

3-Oct-06. Catholic board may abandon casino fundraising. Edmonton Journal, B6.

Casino fundraising by Edmonton’s Catholic schools is coming under review by the school board. Trustees and superintendent Joan Carr will discuss the issue with Edmonton Archbishop Thomas Collins at a meeting later this month or in early November. Nearly all of Edmonton’s 84 Catholic schools used casinos to raise $3-million last year.

3-Oct-06. Net gambling cashed out. National Post, FP1.

A move by the Congress to ban online gambling in the United States caused $7-billion in stock market losses yesterday and devalued shares in Canadian gambling software company CryptoLogic Inc. In Britain, where many Internet gambling companies trade, the top three companies announced they were pulling out of the United States completely. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved the bill to make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.

3-Oct-06. WHL wagering shocks league. Calgary Herald, F1.

Western Hockey League players, coaches and officials were surprised to discover that an offshore Internet gambling web site is accepting bets on their league. WHL commissioner Ron Robison said he would attempt to prevent the site from using the WHL name. Gambling consultant Randall the Handle says the league has no recourse as long as the web site is licensed in their jurisdiction.

2-Oct-06. U.K. online betting firm set to sever U.S. ties. National Post, FP4.

Online gambling company 888 Holdings PLC is expected to suspend indefinitely business from U.S. customers today. The move comes as the sector braces itself for a reaction from investors to the dramatic U.S. decision to toughen its anti-gambling laws. A U.S. Senate bill passed on Friday which prohibits U.S. gamblers from using credit cards, cheques and electronic fund transfers to make online wagers.

1-Oct-06. Bingos hope to keep smoking. Calgary Herald, B1.

Bingo halls in Calgary are fearful of a city-wide smoking ban that will be implemented next year and are working on a proposal that will allow smoking to continue in specially designated rooms. Similar smoking bans in other cities are cited by local operators as being responsible for reductions in the number of bingo players and the amount of revenues they generate. Calgary city council members do not appear interested in any move to allow smoking rooms in bingo parlours.