Across Canada Canadian online gamblers are throwing their middle fingers up at their computer screens in frustration. The frustration and confusion stems from messages and emails that many Canadian players received from Bwin Interactive. This week Bwin issued messages to its Canadian clients advising them of the following:
“We regret to inform you that, due to the introduction of new regulations, operations of the Download Casino will cease as of 24.09.2010. There is good news, though! You can continue to enjoy your favourite games as normal in the bwin Instant Play Casino. And to make the transition even sweeter, we’ll be offering you a 100 percent Welcome Bonus. Get ready to switch now.”
Puzzling. Many Canadians were left scratching their heads, the message was eerily similar to the message issued to Canadians that play with Paddy Power and Casino Club that advised,
“We regret to inform you that due to the new regulations of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Loto-Québec and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, online gaming products in Canada are prohibited. Unfortunately we are required to add Canada to our list of excluded countries. Players from Canada will no longer be permitted to play at Casino Club starting September 24th, 2010.”
It doesn’t alleviate the confusion for the Canadians that got bounced from Bwin,all across internet forums you will find Canadians who are still trying to understand why they will still be able to play in the Bwin Instant Play Casino and not the downloadable version.
With Paddy Power recently announcing that it has pulled its Boss Media download casino out of Canada, the speculation continues. The news of various regions in Canada expanding into the online gambling world coincides with these bans. And the messages to Canadian players from BWin, Paddy Power and Casino Games all but verifies that indeed the BCLC, Loto Quebec and the ALC provincial government-owned operations and their charge into online gambling are major factors contributing to this ban on Canadian players. Though it isn’t quite official, the proof seems to be in the pudding.
