A Quebec court has struck down a law aimed at blocking access to online gambling websites. The ruling was celebrated by telecommunications regulators, who argued that the law was unconstitutional.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) challenged the law, known as Bill 74, which was passed by the province in 2016. The law sought to force internet service providers to block access to websites that competed with the government-run Quebec lottery.
The CWTA argued that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), not the province, should have the authority to impose such restrictions on internet providers.
A judge ruled that the law was not intended to protect consumers or their health, but rather to prevent access to gambling websites that were not operated by the government. The judge also noted that the current Telecommunications Act prohibits operators from controlling the content they transmit to the public unless the CRTC intervenes.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) states it will only endorse website blocking in “exceptional cases.”
Tioulé Traoré, government relations director for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), mentioned that Canadians require a balanced and uniform federal regulation instead of a collection of provincial rules.
“We believe this ruling is significant because it will aid in conveying a strong message of regulatory stability and boost incentives for infrastructure investment in Quebec and other regions of Canada.”
Quebec’s online gambling growth potential was emphasized last month when Loto-Québec, the province’s lottery organization, observed its online gambling income rise by 29.7% year-over-year, with yearly sales on its EspaceJeux.com platform increasing by 37.5% to C$118 million (£68 million/€77 million/$90 million).
Quebec’s finance department estimates the legislation will generate C$27 million annually for EspaceJeux.com. The department has not yet replied to whether it plans to challenge the decision.
Image copyright: Christophe.Finot
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