Quebec draws ire as it moves closer to blocking unlicensed gambling sites

The Canadian province of Quebec is moving forward with its plan to block unlicensed gambling sites, a move that many of its critics believe is akin to censoring the Internet.

Last week, Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao tabled a legislation on the implementation of the provincial budget, The Globe and Mail reported. Announced in March, it includes amendments to the local Consumer Protection Act, which orders Internet service providers to block “unauthorized gambling sites.”

A site is considered “unauthorized” if it is not approved by Loto-Quebez, according to the report. Those who fail to comply will be subject to a fine reaching $100,000 or even $200,000 for following offenses.

With this move, officials hopes to bring in an additional $13.5 million in 2016-2017 in online gambling revenues to the government’s website, Espacejeux.