Critics: Close Online Poker Loophole

CANADA – As reported by the Globe and Mail: "Critics say broadcasters should close a 'loophole' that allows on-line poker rooms to advertise on Canadian television.

"With poker's recent surge in popularity, sports channels are filling their broadcast schedules with Texas Hold 'Em tournaments, and poker websites are eager to advertise.

"The Criminal Code makes it illegal to advertise Internet gambling in Canada, but many broadcasters welcome advertising from 'play money' versions of popular casinos like PartyPoker, Tigergaming and PokerStars.

"The play money sites typically have the same name as the real casinos but use a .net suffix instead of .com. These sites don't allow real gambling, but use e-mail to refer interested consumers to sites where they can actually gamble.

"Rick Broadhead, a Toronto-based Internet consultant, said the practice makes Canadian regulations look ridiculous because on-line casinos and broadcasters have found a way around them.

"…Most private television broadcasters submit commercials to a self-regulatory industry association called Telecaster Services before they're aired.

"Ads for seven 'play money' sites have been approved by Telecaster, while many ads have been rejected, said Jim Patterson, president and chief executive officer of the Television Bureau of Canada, which runs Telecaster…"