The Province of Manitoba announced earlier this month that it plans to partner with the British Columbia Lottery Corp. in order to bring regulated online gaming to its residents, a move which it says could bring $17-million in new revenue to the province
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"People are gaming online as we speak. The difference, with this, is they'll have a regulated Manitoba option. It will have all the security features and the money will stay here in the province," Manitoba's Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton was quoted as saying in a report by the Winnipeg Free Press.
The article also cited Ashton as saying that five per cent of online gaming net income will go towards responsible-gaming initiatives, while 15 per cent will go toward expanded provincial programs for aboriginal sport and recreation.
"Quite frankly, I think most Manitobans would say it makes sense to keep as much of the gaming revenue here, with a regulated site where it's going to benefit Manitobans (rather) than going offshore to sites where who knows who benefits," said Ashton.
(With files from the Winnipeg Free Press)