A poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid for the Responsible Gambling Council on Ontario has shown that more people under the age of 34 are playing poker for money online. The poll surveyed 1,000 people in spring of 2006 and is considered accurate to within plus or minus three percentage points, when conducted 19 times out of 20. A little over one-third of poll participants under the age 34 responded they play poker for money. Half of respondents said they are playing more today than they were 24 months ago. Close to 25% of those participants indicated they play at least once a week.To Jon Kelly, CEO of the Responsible Gambling Council of Ontario, there is a clear link that can be made to this increase in poker playing. "Frequency matters - the more you gamble, the more you are at risk"
The Ontarian Liberal government recently introduced legislation that would ban online gaming ads. Gerry Phillips, Minister for Government Services made a comparison between online gaming sites and crack houses, arguing online gaming is illegal and shouldn't be advertised. He said that "(the new legislation) would help to protect vulnerable groups."
What is interesting to some observers is that the legislation provides exceptions for government sanctioned lotteries and horse racing. Mr. Phillips did not comment when asked to compare offshore poker sites and the Ontario government run lottery.
