It’s gambling time in Ontario and the losing’s easy

Four hours to log in — one hour to blow all my money.

It wasn’t easy getting on to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.’s new online gambling website, which launched Thursday. But despite the challenges logging on, I was determined to take a close look at the province’s new site. And, of course, try my luck. While I’m no gambling expert, I’ve played slots and blackjack at Casino Rama, Casino Niagara and even in Las Vegas.

I’ve also written stories about the perils of gambling and the debate surrounding Ontario’s need to raise revenues versus the dangers of giving people with gambling problems further avenues to feed their addictions.

So I set a $100 limit as I took the plunge and tried it out. Registering was problematic. I tried to set myself up but it didn’t work, likely because I typed in the Toron- to Star’s address instead of my own. An OLG spokesperson explained that the information players input into the website must match precisely with personal identification details from Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency.

It took a couple of tries and a few hours before I was able to finally get on. Thankfully a co-worker was able to create her own account, which we used.

Star reporter tries his luck as province launches new website — and burns through $100 in an hour

Shortly before 5 p.m., with the account finally loaded (with the Star’s money, no less!), I waded in eagerly with the slot game Cash Spin. With large green emeralds and handsome crowns, it’s a nice-looking and nicesounding game — which is the danger.

And it’s oh-so-easy to click the “spin” button. (Who designs this stuff? It’s brilliant.)

By 10 spins I’m down to $87. Eleven spins later, back up to $97.50 after one of my turns garners $12.50. It’s these little victories that keep you hooked. I can feel my pulse racing a bit.

I blow through several other slot games with names such as Cleopatra, Big Vegas, Plants vs. Zombies and Hot Shot.

It’s a bit past 5:20 p.m. and I’m at $59.55.

I decide to change tack and go for blackjack. Rather than the five- and 10-cent bets, I graduate to $5, $6 and $10 wagers.

Six hands and 10 minutes later, I’m at $27.20. Ouch!

Back to slots, and I’m going down the drain. At 5:43 p.m., I’m at $8.70. Then I happen upon the game War — that simple childhood pursuit that rewards the holder of the highest card.

I place $6 bets and suddenly I’ve got $28.70. I’m feeling optimistic again — and hooked.

I’m up, then down, and after a few ill-advised wagers I plummet to 70 cents. It’s 5:52 p.m.

Losses aside, I was happy to see there are numerous cautions on the site about betting beyond your limits, and references to resources for users dealing with addiction.

There are also counters that show how long you’ve been playing on each game, and the time of day — to the second — to help users self-police.

But the site is enticing and, like any gambling pursuit, requires one to exercise self-control.