ONLINE GAMBLING PRESENTS NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN CANADA

Monday, October 24, 2011 : Small to medium software companies could benefit in particular, says industry body chief
 
Speaking to the publication IT Business this week, Paul Burns, vice-president of the Canadian Gaming Association, said that small to medium software businesses in the country could cash in on a market worth more than Cdn$16 billion in expected revenues as provincial governments increasingly move towards regulating online gaming.
 
The gambling industry in general has nearly tripled in size since 1995 and now exceeds the combined revenues generated by magazines and book sales, social establishments, spectator sports, movies theatres and the performing arts, he said.
 
“Our industry supports more than 128,000 full-time jobs, 283,000 associated jobs and generates Cdn$12.5 billion in labour income and Cdn$8.7 billion in annual revenues remitted to the government,” he said, going on to detail the provinces that has already entered the online gambling market (British Columbia and Quebec) and Ontario, which has plans to start operations in 2012 with annual revenues of Cdn$400 million anticipated.
 
These developments are going to be a boon for many small and medium sized technology firms in the country, according to Burns. “I would estimate that gaming companies in the field will be purchasing anywhere from $4 billion to $7 billion in products and services.”
 
The opportunities are not limited to online game developers, according to Burns. “There will be a huge demand for HD technology experts for playing screens, IT security experts and IT administrators and service technicians.”
 
He also expects a demand for mobile app experts. “Increasingly there is a focus towards new game delivery technology. In B.C. the lottery is planning to offer games to mobile device users,” he revealed.