ALC online gambling won't work: designer

A former Islander who designs online gambling software says P.E.I.shouldn't get into internet gambling.

The government is currently reviewing a proposal from Atlantic Lottery Corporation to set up an online gambling site in the region.

Nick Abou Risk thinks Atlantic Lotto's plan to set up a regional site wouldn't be that successful.

The former Bonshaw resident started playing poker with friends while attending the computer science program at University of Prince Edward Island. He now designs programs for a large internet poker site in Dublin, Ireland.

Still an avid poker player,he's participated in 3,000 online tournaments and in face-to-face competitions.

Tax onlinegamblers

Abou Risk said it might be difficult to attract many people to a small regional site with what probably will be fewer players.

"I'm a fan of letting people play with other players from all around the world. And if players are having a better experience, they're going to play more often," said Abou Risk.

He understands why ALC would like to get a piece of the online action estimated to be about $50 milliona year in the region.

Abou Risksuggests an alternative. He recently designed a program for the government of France that requires internet sites to collect a tax from gamblers in that country.

"They take a percentage of the pot, just like a live casino would do. That normally amounts to between five and ten per cent of the pot. So, in France they're taking two per cent of that cut," he explained.

ALC or the P.E.I. government could not be reached for comment on this alternative to setting up a regional site in Atlantic Canada.