How do you approach your relationship with operators and gaming suppliers?
As described to Canadian Gaming Business Magazine in the spring of 2009, the MGCC has chosen to open doors and build relationships by focusing on “practical regulation”. Within this context, the MGCC acknowledges that the laws and regulations that govern gambling must be flexible enough to permit the market to develop and change. At the same time, the legal framework must meet the public interest mandates for honesty and integrity, social policy concerns and consumer trends and demands.
What challenges do you see for gaming regulation the next 12-24 months?
Given that each of Canada’s provinces has developed unique authorizing and regulatory structures within the parameters of the Criminal Code, it is likely that each jurisdiction will face distinct challenges. Generally however, it is likely that the decision of the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and British Columbia to authorize and offer gambling over the internet that will influence other provinces’ consideration for similar offerings to consumers. As noted earlier, a strong legislative and regulatory regime will serve consumers to ensure the honesty and integrity of internet activities.