Online gambling site launched by Manitoba government

A made-in-Manitoba online gambling site begins taking bets today.

The Manitoba government is launching PlayNow.com in an attempt to take advantage of the popularity of online gaming.

The site, first announced in April 2012, is being operated in partnership with British Columbia, which has been operating its own online casino for nearly three years.

The games will be open to Manitobans only, although some will enable people to play poker against other people in Canada.

Manitoba Lotteries said people in this province already spend $37 million on unregulated international sites and this is a way to keep the revenue in Manitoba.