Despite appearances to the contrary, sections of Canada are leaning toward the adoption of some forms of Internet gambling. In the last year or so, for example, the Kahnawake Mohawk Indian band began
issuing interactive gaming licenses, a move that the Saskatchewan-based File Hill bands are hoping to
emulate. During this same time several lottery organizations have been considering interactive ticket sales,
such as the Prince Edward Island charitable lottery organization, the Earth Fund, which is going to court on
December 20 to fight the Interprovincial Lottery Organization's efforts to prevent charitable lotteries from
selling tickets over the Internet.
Last year another segment of the gambling industry, led by Racetracks of Canada Inc., sought changes to legislation to permit horse betting over the Internet. (See "More News of Progress In Canada.
") Having failed to garner support for Internet gambling from the Canadian judicial system, the Ontario
Jockey Club (OJC), one of the most prominent members of Racetracks of Canada Inc., began lobbying for
changes to Section 204, Subsection 204 of the Canadian Criminal Code to include horse racing over the
"telephone and any other telecommunication devices."
Since that time, there has been a change in how the law perceives interactive betting. Although no
changes were made to legislation, explained Philip Sorenson, Policy, Planning and Regulations Division
Director of the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, "pari-mutuel wagering via PC is permissible so long as it meets telephone-betting regulations." The only caveats to this, he added, are "no offshore services, no third party facilities. The operator needs to be located on the grounds of the racetracks."
The Ontario Jockey Club is leading the list of organizations taking the interactive route, Sorenson said,
and is currently working on its interactive pari-mutuel wagering service. After testing its operations and
receiving any necessary approvals, the OJC will probably launch its service by the end of 2000. Representatives from the OJC did not return calls for confirmation.