OLG finally selected a vendor for slots and table games - BOSS MEDIA AB. Only lotteries and casino-style games may be ready by late 2013. Poker won't be available until later, along with bingo, sports wagering, and the introduction of other new products.
It seems that Kathleen Wynne is uncomfortable with gaming and fired Godfrey. I was actually looking forward to at least having the choice of playing in the OLG online poker site, but this will probably mean even longer delays. A Toronto casino has also become unlikely, so it looks like Woodbine will be the main option for cash games for years. This could all change again if the Liberals lose the confidence vote later this month and triggers an election....
... OLG will market the hell out of its new PlayOLG.ca site, but the government’s official blessing of online gambling will also boost traffic to internationally-licensed Canadian-facing sites, leading to underwhelming online returns for OLG.
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I also expect the provincial monopolies that are operating online sites will pressure Canadian authorities to bully international operators, even though there’s no law on the books banning Canadians from playing with any international operator they want, nor any law banning international operators from taking Canadian players. 2014 will be the year when this bullying causes all the remaining European public companies to pull out of the Canadian market, once again leaving the market to privately owned international operators.
Considering that the Unit was created in 2000, I've never even heard of them before. The section on casinos doesn't really seem to specifically look like anything has changed in their mandate or goals. Interesting though.
That's a good point. I would assume they already have the information, it's just whether they want to start to turn it over. I've often wondered if they stopped player to player transfers would solve some problems.
That's a good point. I would assume they already have the information, it's just whether they want to start to turn it over. I've often wondered if they stopped player to player transfers would solve some problems.
That and from the looks of things the identification requirements would have to be seriously upgraded, and not just from when withdrawals are requested.
I would have to agree that stopping player to player transactions would decrease concerns quite a bit. At this point, they've got a reasonable sized economy taking place with only the gaming sites regulations monitoring it. Can't see any government liking that much. That would only leave site to player transactions to address which would be much more manageable.
Can't see the higher bankroll players liking it much though. Micro bozos like myself would be inconvenienced slightly, but that really wouldn't matter in the grander scheme of things.
That and from the looks of things the identification requirements would have to be seriously upgraded, and not just from when withdrawals are requested.
I would have to agree that stopping player to player transactions would decrease concerns quite a bit. At this point, they've got a reasonable sized economy taking place with only the gaming sites regulations monitoring it. Can't see any government liking that much. That would only leave site to player transactions to address which would be much more manageable.
Can't see the higher bankroll players liking it much though. Micro bozos like myself would be inconvenienced slightly, but that really wouldn't matter in the grander scheme of things.
It's those player to player transfers that are questionable. The government has no way to track the money. It really falls under money laundrying. Anyways, I hope the government doesn't rattle the cage too much.
It's those player to player transfers that are questionable. The government has no way to track the money. It really falls under money laundrying. Anyways, I hope the government doesn't rattle the cage too much.
They also have no way to track when I use cash each day.
Nice work gents, your drilling down to the big picture than the whole Fintrac thing makes. This little buzzword has been thrown out by friends in payment processing and other super affiliates. Like Bill mentioned it's not new, but with more legislation as per the OP article, might make it more enforceable. For a company like Stars making large rake, worth the hastle but smaller interests or those getting small fees for processing.
I guess another question is would they have disclose their own business financials to comply, something usually asked by regulators but not so appealing to providers. It's not just players who "could be laundering".
The fact the provinces are getting into the market absolutely fuels these moves, why make it a matter of "individual rights", when you can play another angle to make life hard on competition. Added labour and legal costs to ensure continued compliance , etc.
Wow the OLG is super bad at getting their online shit together. I would actually like to try a canadian poker site, the quebec one sounds cool, don't care so much about the online casinos as they will struggle to compete against the greatly superior overseas ones that exist currently.
OLG CEO Rod Phillips touted his new toy as “the only safe, lawful and regulated internet gaming option in Ontario,” but Phillips is no doubt well aware that it’s not illegal for international companies whose infrastructure is not located in Canada to offer services to Canadian gamblers.
Hilarious how they make it sound like online gambling is illegal by adding in "safe and lawful" yeah, ok. There are casinos sites online that have been kicking since 2000 that are super safe and have multi million dollar progressives, fast cashouts to a normal VISA card lol, or cheque, like a thousand+ games, high payout rate etc...
But its sooooo good we will have our own soon! I bet it will even come with 25% of the features that the currently online casino behemoths have!
Even currently im playing on Bodog, for sports betting, because the OLG options suck a huge dick. Pro line is shit. Your only options are to look for these "offshore sites" that are wayyyy better if you enjoy betting NHL or literally anything, they have a ridic amount of lines and sports to choose.
Just got emails this morning from sites (non poker) I am on that they are no longer offering instadebit as a payment option.
I will try and find out details from the other forum I am on as the rep posts on there as well to see if this is a government thing or getting rid of them again like last year as instadebit credited customer's withdrawals twice!
He also offered these thoughts (when asked opinion) on the discussion
@GamingCounsel: @Jontm > The comments in the budget were ambiguous. Not clear to me if the budget applies to the govt monopolies, offshore operators, or both.
@GamingCounsel: @Jontm > However, I have heard talk about increased enforcement independent of the budget.
@GamingCounsel: @Jontm > That's likely (though not definitively) driven by the provs piling into igaming.
Just got emails this morning from sites (non poker) I am on that they are no longer offering instadebit as a payment option.
I will try and find out details from the other forum I am on as the rep posts on there as well to see if this is a government thing or getting rid of them again like last year as instadebit credited customer's withdrawals twice!
The rep has replied on the forum I am on, It was actually instadebit who decided to pull their services, so if it had to something with government or their own decision who knows.
Just got emails this morning from sites (non poker) I am on that they are no longer offering instadebit as a payment option.
I will try and find out details from the other forum I am on as the rep posts on there as well to see if this is a government thing or getting rid of them again like last year as instadebit credited customer's withdrawals twice!
Yes, they all use GTECH and will be part of the Canadian network. The government-run network won't be able to compete against PokerStars, but it may finally give Ontario players a chance to satellite into major events in Quebec, BC and other provinces. :cool2:
Comments
Meanwhile, Ontario is still in the request for proposals stage....
It seems that Kathleen Wynne is uncomfortable with gaming and fired Godfrey. I was actually looking forward to at least having the choice of playing in the OLG online poker site, but this will probably mean even longer delays. A Toronto casino has also become unlikely, so it looks like Woodbine will be the main option for cash games for years. This could all change again if the Liberals lose the confidence vote later this month and triggers an election....
Uh oh.
All of this seems to be swirling around this, from the murmurs I hear:
Welcome - FINTRAC - Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
Considering that the Unit was created in 2000, I've never even heard of them before. The section on casinos doesn't really seem to specifically look like anything has changed in their mandate or goals. Interesting though.
Use Party as an example, Canada is quite a significant market for them.
That and from the looks of things the identification requirements would have to be seriously upgraded, and not just from when withdrawals are requested.
I would have to agree that stopping player to player transactions would decrease concerns quite a bit. At this point, they've got a reasonable sized economy taking place with only the gaming sites regulations monitoring it. Can't see any government liking that much. That would only leave site to player transactions to address which would be much more manageable.
Can't see the higher bankroll players liking it much though. Micro bozos like myself would be inconvenienced slightly, but that really wouldn't matter in the grander scheme of things.
It's those player to player transfers that are questionable. The government has no way to track the money. It really falls under money laundrying. Anyways, I hope the government doesn't rattle the cage too much.
They also have no way to track when I use cash each day.
I guess another question is would they have disclose their own business financials to comply, something usually asked by regulators but not so appealing to providers. It's not just players who "could be laundering".
The fact the provinces are getting into the market absolutely fuels these moves, why make it a matter of "individual rights", when you can play another angle to make life hard on competition. Added labour and legal costs to ensure continued compliance , etc.
Hilarious how they make it sound like online gambling is illegal by adding in "safe and lawful" yeah, ok. There are casinos sites online that have been kicking since 2000 that are super safe and have multi million dollar progressives, fast cashouts to a normal VISA card lol, or cheque, like a thousand+ games, high payout rate etc...
But its sooooo good we will have our own soon! I bet it will even come with 25% of the features that the currently online casino behemoths have!
Even currently im playing on Bodog, for sports betting, because the OLG options suck a huge dick. Pro line is shit. Your only options are to look for these "offshore sites" that are wayyyy better if you enjoy betting NHL or literally anything, they have a ridic amount of lines and sports to choose.
I will try and find out details from the other forum I am on as the rep posts on there as well to see if this is a government thing or getting rid of them again like last year as instadebit credited customer's withdrawals twice!
Canada increasing its bitcoin oversight | Pokerati
He also offered these thoughts (when asked opinion) on the discussion
@GamingCounsel: @Jontm > The comments in the budget were ambiguous. Not clear to me if the budget applies to the govt monopolies, offshore operators, or both.
@GamingCounsel: @Jontm > However, I have heard talk about increased enforcement independent of the budget.
@GamingCounsel: @Jontm > That's likely (though not definitively) driven by the provs piling into igaming.
The rep has replied on the forum I am on, It was actually instadebit who decided to pull their services, so if it had to something with government or their own decision who knows.
link to post
Any chance ONT and ALB join up with the other provinces on PlayNow?