VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Premier Gordon Campbell has responded for the first time to his government's decision yesterday to legalize online gaming in B.C. Critics say when the Liberals were in opposition, they were strongly against expanded gambling in this province.
Campbell says the decision to spend $100-million a year on offshore gambling sites had to be made because of the amount of illegal gaming taking place. He explains this is a way of making sure things are regulated, and assuring everyone the dollars that go into gaming, are supporting health and education.
With all the money going towards this, Campbell says people with gambling addictions wouldn't be forgotten. "Anyone that needs help is actually provided with that help today. I think what's really important here is that people who have actually stepped forward to say they do need help, they will be prohibited from using those online gaming facilities."
Campbell adds this is an important step to have a healthy gaming community and industry in our province.