Ontario to ban Internet poker ads?

Jeff Leal, a Liberal MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) in Ontario, Canada, has introduced a private member's bill that, if passed, will ban advertising of Internet gaming websites in the province. Recent reports indicate that the popularity of Internet poker is having a major affect on the revenues brought in by Ontario's more traditional gambling outlets, such as the provincial lottery and a recently launched e-bingo site.

Authorities are hoping to win back their lost market share by outlawing Internet gaming ads, thus reducing the influence of the industry on provincial residents.

According to a year 2000 poll conducted by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, more than 5% of Ontario adults admitted to participating in online gaming. "It is a real factor in the Ontario gaming scene," said David Caplan, Public Infrastructure Minister.