U.K. PROVIDER TO POWER LOTO QUEBEC’S ONLINE GAMBLING VENTURE


But GTechG2 gets the internet poker contract
 
The Loto Quebec drive to enter the online gambling sector  is gaining momentum, with the latest development being the award of the contract for customer account management software and table games going to the UK firm Openbet, formerly Orbis Technology.
 
However, the contract for the internet poker element of the venture has gone to GTechG2 and its International Poker Network, launching on a platform shared by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
 
Launch is planned for the fourth quarter of this year, and the Montreal Gazette reports that Openbet is already gearing up to open an office in the city, creating 15 new jobs.
 
David Loveday, CEO OpenBet Ltd, said this week:  "We are proud to be partnering with Loto Quebec who will be able to utilise our technical infrastructure to successfully launch their online gaming business in a new and exciting market."
 
Loto Quebec CEO Alain Cousineau emphasised that his company would work closely on the project with the provincial government’s new Online Gaming Monitoring Committee chaired by Université de Montréal Psychology Department professor Louise Nadeau (see previous InfoPowa report).
 
"Loto-Québec intends to bring its online games of chance project to fruition with all of its well-known rigour and integrity," declared Cousineau. “Now that the government has given the green light, various measures will be put in motion to ensure that fans of online gaming can access a secure, legal and above-board site this fall.
 
"We will be offering Québecers a choice of entertaining games like poker, various table games and sports betting within a controlled circuit and in a secure environment whose integrity will be beyond question," he added.
 
Poker will be offered on a common platform with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. Hosted in Montréal, the platform will be provided by GTechG2.
 
Loto-Québec will be implementing a series of prevention and control measures that will be among the industry's best and most innovative, Cousineau promised, adding that the company’s online gaming site would deploy international responsible gaming expertise.