The online casino and gambling industry is gaining traction in North America. The United States has found several lawmakers, including some prominent members of the U.S. Congress who are ready to start pushing through legislation that would get legalization and regulation on track. Several state governments are also looking at online gambling as a way to help give their budgets a boost. In Canada one province has already launched an online gambling site, and a few others have all but committed to hosting one themselves. Of course, online gambling is being met with some opposition. The groups that oppose online gambling grounds make valid arguments, but very little will surpass the almighty dollar (U.S. and Canadian). Some of the strongest opposition is coming from within the gaming industry.
Take, for instance, Ontario. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has been researching what online gambling would mean to the province. Their report could be the deciding step for lawmakers who are almost ready to pass legislation to regulate online gambling. However, strong opposition is coming from the Canadian Auto Workers. “CAW, you say?” Yes, the CAW in Canada, as wells as the UAW in the USA, represent a vast majority of casino workers. They make a very strong argument, what happens if casino goers stop going out to casinos and decide to stay home and play online?
“Union leaders are concerned about the effects on Caesars Windsor and other casinos in Ontario if the province goes ahead with a plan to launch online gambling,” stated CAW president, Ken Lewenza. CAW Local 444 president, Rick Laporte echoed that remark, “Where my concern comes in is if there’s people currently going to the casino today decides to stay at home and use the internet rather than go to the casino then that becomes a concern of mine.” These are very valid arguments. Lawmakers may see revenue generation from online casinos, but they must weigh that against physical jobs in their areas.
