CALGARY, Alberta, April 28 (UPI) -- Online gambling industry officials meeting in Calgary this week say they'd like to see governments move to protect players from unscrupulous sites.
The Calgary Herald reported Wednesday Canadians spend about $1 billion a year gambling online, part of a $30 billion global market.
While it is legal to gamble online in Canada, it is illegal to operate an Internet gambling site in the country. John FitzGerald, president of the Interactive Gaming Council who is in Calgary for the Canadian Gaming Summit, says it's time to change that situation, arguing that legalizing and regulating the industry would better protect players.
Side benefits would be employment and tax revenue gains, he says.
"It would create more jobs, more innovation through technology ... and it could create more revenue for government," FitzGerald said.
Alberta provincial regulatory officials say they are taking a hands-off stance for now.
"We remain in a monitoring mode," said Lynn Hutchings-Mah, spokeswoman for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. "It's a decision that would have to be made by the Alberta government."
Gerry McLennan, the commission's chief executive, adds that the province still would have no control over offshore operators.
