The Government Authorizes Loto-Québec to Develop Online Gaming

and the community.<br><br> cLoto-Québec will ensure that the offering of online gaming is honest and secure. It will also take the necessary measures to make sure that efforts to combat gambling addiction remain a priority, d the Minister said. A secure and regulated site Unlike the situation that prevails on certain illegal sites, Loto-Québec will offer stable rates of return and reliable games.<br><br> Minors will be prohibited from accessing the gaming site. Measures to control the amount of time and money spent gaming will also be implemented. cLoto-Québec will apply its internationally-recognized expertise in responsible gaming and, drawing on the proven Swedish model, will introduce a number of control and prevention measures, d the President and CEO of Loto-Québec, Alain Cousineau, explained.<br><br> In addition, the profits stemming from these gaming activities will benefit Québec and may be used, in particular, to fund essential services such as health and education. Creation of a monitoring panel An online gaming monitoring panel will be set up once Loto-Québec 9s gaming site goes online. Consisting of a variety of experts, including university researchers known for their expertise in the field of games of chance, the panel will be mandated to study the social impact of the development of online gaming in Québec.<br><br> It will also study regulatory, technical, economic and legal measures to counter illegal gambling and will report to the government. Loto-Québec, a responsible manager Since its creation in 1969, Loto-Québec 9s mission has been to manage games of chance and gambling in an orderly and measured way. Its experience with the implementation of casinos and the network of video lottery terminals has kept these forms of gaming out of the control of organized crime, while offering these products with integrity, in safe environments for the benefit of the community.<br><br> Currently, the prevalence rate of compulsive gamblers in Québec is the lowest in Canada, at 0.8%. cOver the years, Loto-Québec has been able to strike a balance between the economic side of its activities and social responsibility. In the same spirit, the government is now authorizing it to take charge of online gaming to offer safe, quality products, thus providing a legal channel for this activity sector in Québec, d Minister Bachand concluded.<br><br> - 30 - Source: Catherine Poulin Press Relations Officer Office of the Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Montréal region 418 643-5270 514 873-5363

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