Alberta, one of the Canadian provinces is again making headlines in the Internet gambling industry. It has just been publicized that the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) is carrying out a survey among its inhabitants in order to check how they feel about Internet gambling, with the question concentrating mainly on the games of poker, blackjack and bingo. At first, the survey started by means of the phone and at present it is spreading online, as well. Nevertheless, spokesman for the AGLC explained that it will take a long time before, and if, the local government permits Internet gaming websites from outside the province to act on its jurisdiction.
This has inspired a discussion, and a great opposition from Calgary’s Catholic church and other social consciousness advocates. They are calling the eagerness of the Alberta’s government to permit Internet gaming “morally wrong” and that they are ignoring the social aspect of the act and concentrating merely on the financial aspect of the possible future legalizing of Internet gambling websites from outside the province, claiming that the influence on the citizens would be much bigger than any profits drawn from it.
Moreover, on the analogous issue - AGLC is currently exploring Alberta’s First nation, which is offering to host Internet gambling websites from the whole world on their territory. According to the commission this is unlawful gaming and they are committed to go through with cracking down on it.
Alexander First Nation informed in the end of last year that it will provide licenses and regulation to Internet gambling operators claiming that the treaty band can act under its own gambling regulations separately from Canada or Alberta. No evidence exists to prove that gambling websites have begun operating yet, however AGLC is keeping a close eye on it. For this time there is nothing illicit, only a website soliciting the service, province regulator has explained. According to Norm Peterson, the provincial regulator, any Internet casinos which may begin working in the future with Alexander will be shut down by AGLC. Nonetheless, Alexander is creating a large 2,300 square foot data center that are going to accommodate future servers.
Some specialists claim that they are following the model in Quebec implemented by the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake which is one of the worlds greatest hosts for online gambling websites. There are numerous Internet casinos licensed under the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, some of which involve Bodog, initiator of which is Calvin Ayre, who was born in Saskatchewan. Quebec’s attorney general has been cited many times of informing that it is not legal, however charges have never been filed against them, as some legal specialists have argued that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission is protected by the Canadian constitution.