NorthernBearCasino.com was taken down after two years of up-time. It is one of the first online gambling websites in Canada, and is owned and created by First Nations Group.
The website was an idea of Bernie Shepherd of White Bear First Nation. It was supported by GEObet Gambling Network.
Mr. Shepherd made a press release this week stating that the website will no longer be operational for an undetermined period of time. According to Bernie Shepherd, the main reason for the site’s closure is the fact that the current online gambling market is oversaturated.
He said the online gambling operators were struggling to gain enough market share in order to get by. Shepherd mentioned that in the beginning of this year, he had tried to look for investors who would have helped financing the website and in particular – its advertising and promotion campaigns.
Shepherd is a well-known figure in the gambling industry in Canada and especially in the Saskatchewan province. He is known for trying his best to resolve the current issues of the gambling operators in the tribal regions. Back in 1993, he established the first offline casino in an area under tribal influence. The Saskatchewan authorities shut down the casino shortly after.
However, putting enough effort in resolving the issue of uncertainty towards casinos in tribal areas, he managed to convince the local authorities to provide the casino with a license to operate. Since then, there are six casinos opened on tribal areas.
Despite the unfortunate ending of Shepherd’s NorthernBearCasino.com, Shepherd shows undying motivation to expand and develop the local tribal casino industry. In January this year, the local news speculated that the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority – SIGA, could sign a deal to acquire the only two non-tribal casinos in the area. If the deal is finalized, SIGA would be able to provide “casino-type games through the internet.”
Other major online gambling operators in other Canadian provinces have also reported relatively weak revenues. However, the online gambling platform PlayNow.com owned by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), shows promising financial reports. This year, it reported a growth in revenue of 24% in comparison to its last year’s results.
BCLC has paid an impressive amount of money sponsoring the NHL’s Roberto Luongo, who has advertised BCLC’s products and services for the past three years. The amount is said to be over $373,000.
Another website supported by BCLC is Manitoba reported a $1-million profit for the fiscal 2013-2014. Manitoba Lotteries, on the other hand, reported a shortage of 20% needed for its yearly profit goals. The reasons for this shortage, according to the company, were the severe climate conditions earlier this year, which made many punter to stay at home and not to visit Manitoba video slot terminals.
