ABSTRACT
This chapter summarises the report of the Working Group on Online Gambling, Québec, Canada. The method chosen to analyse the social impact of the development of online games and the measures to counter illegal gambling was 1) an extensive monitoring system to provide continuous and systematic data collection and 2) national and international consultations to identify best practices for online gambling. The results led to the proposal of an integrated model comprised of three key dimensions. The first, a socio-health dimension, established a clear distinction between the need for primary and secondary prevention conducted by health authorities free of conflicts of interest with the gambling industry, and the obligation for operators to have an accessible evidence-base responsible offering of online gambling. The second, a socioeconomic dimension, stated the necessity of dynamic mechanisms of surveillance by an external control to ensure trustworthy games and a responsible offering of online gambling. The third, a legal dimension, identified the specific challenges associated to the Canadian Constitution. Five recommendations were formulated, which ensured that the public treasury received the revenue inherent in online gambling and protected at-risk gamblers.
