What are the odds of this happening?
Two guys in their 20s launch an Internet business from a Spryfield, N.S., basement.
It becomes an international hit and 11 years later the Nova Scotia government calls up to offer $1.6-million in tax breaks.
The chances are probably a lot better if everyone agrees not to mention that the company caters to gamblers.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. announced yesterday it's paying tax rebates to SportsDirect Inc. for the next five years, provided the company keeps adding to its workforce of 140. The goal is 165 more employees.
SportsDirect president Paul Lavers said he never asked for assistance. He was surprised when the Crown corporation called, offering help. "This is exactly how you can help: by giving us more great people, by giving us an incentive to hire more Nova Scotians," Mr. Lavers said during a news conference.
"You can tell taxpayers SportsDirect is the safest bet in Nova Scotia because they are betting on Nova Scotians."
Economic Development Minister Kerry Morash said he's happy to be part of the success.
"If you look at how they've grown, this is phenomenal," Mr. Morash said. "This is something each and every Nova Scotian can be proud of."
At no point in the news conference did Mr. Lavers, Mr. Morash or NSBI president Stephen Lund raise the subject of gambling.
SportsDirect does not take bets, but it runs websites that offer odds and tips to sports gamblers. The sites make money from links to Internet casinos.
Mr. Lavers said his company simply provides information.
"How [visitors]use that information is truly up to them," he said.
Liberal economic development critic Manning MacDonald disputed that characterization.
"Why would anybody want odds on sports if they weren't going to gamble?"
Mr. MacDonald said the government should not get involved in SportsDirect while it's spending $150,000 on an ad campaign that warns young Nova Scotians about the dangers of on-line gambling.
NDP critic Howard Epstein said the government's support is hypocritical. "It's sending a signal that gambling is okay," he said.
Mr. Morash said he's not listening to the opposition. "I'm not really that interested in addressing their concerns, as long as we're doing what we should be doing to [help the province]grow," the minister said.