Pressure Mounts on British Columbia to Unveil Digital Betting Sector
Residing in a gray-hued gaming landscape, British Columbia's online gambling scene is under pressure to evolve. The private sector pressing for change wants the province to join Ontario and Alberta's footsteps, adopting a competitive iGaming market. Here's the lowdown on the buzzing battle for flexibility in British Columbia's digital casino scene.
The Present: A Lone Wolf in the Room
At present, the arena belongs exclusively to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the only legal entity running the province's iGaming platform, PlayNow. Sounds like they're having a solo party, eh?
The Future: Private Players Eyeing the Pie
The Canadian Online Gaming Alliance (COGA), a vibrant non-profit trade association, is spearheading the charge for change. Troy Ross, their frontman, is on a mission to engage B.C. policymakers for a discussion about the sparkling benefits of a well-regulated iGaming market that opens the gates for private operators.
COGA's roster boasts heavyweights like Entain PLC (BetMGM's joint parent), bet365, and Apricot, a Super Group ally. Registrations reveal that the alliance intends to enlighten policymakers about the nuances of the iGaming industry and lobby for the development of a suitable regulatory regime.
The Past: Footsteps in the Sands of Time
Ontario took the plunge in 2022, establishing a fiercely competitive iGaming system. Alberta recently put pen to paper, passing Bill 48 to pave the way for a regulated market expected to launch by 2026. The provinces' monumental decisions stand as tantalizing tweets, dangling possibilities of change for the B.C. online gambling scene.
The Case for Change: Ross's Argument
Ross advocates that opening the market to private competition is a winning move. He cites evidence from Europe, the US, South America, and Ontario that orchestrated regulatory regimes reign supreme over the conventional monopoly. The merits? A whopping 100% market capture compared to the 20% snagged by the present monopolistic systems.
He further argues that regulation would mean a plethora of consumer choices, robust consumer protections, and responsible gaming features, all intended to funnel millions of additional tax dollars into provincial treasuries.
The Question Hanging in the Air
Will the British Columbia government heed the call for change? For now, the dice remain in the policymakers' clenched fists, and fans of a more open gambling scene can only hope for a fortunate roll in their favor.
- The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) currently holds an exclusive monopoly over the province's online gambling scene, but private entities like the Canadian Online Gaming Alliance (COGA) are pushing for change, aiming to introduce a competitive iGaming market like those in Ontario and Alberta.
- COGA, which counts heavyweights such as Entain PLC (BetMGM's joint parent), bet365, and Apricot among its members, is actively lobbying policymakers to discuss the potential benefits of a regulated iGaming market and the development of a suitable regulatory regime.
- Ontario pioneered the switch in 2022, while Alberta is planning to launch a regulated market by 2026, creating a ripple effect that offers promising possibilities for the future of British Columbia's online gambling scene.
- Troy Ross, the frontman of COGA, argues that introducing private competition could lead to a 100% market capture, compared to the current 20% under monopolistic systems, and result in more consumer choices, robust consumer protections, and responsible gaming features that could generate additional tax revenues for the province.
- The future of British Columbia's online gambling scene depends on the decision of policymakers; for now, the die remains in their hands, with hopes high that they will opt for change to create a more open and competitive market within the casino-and-gambling industry.
