The B.C. Lottery Corporation launched its online gambling website on the morning of July 14 and within hours shut it down. (BCLC)

Premier Gordon Campbell says he still has confidence in the B.C. Lottery Corporation and the minister responsible for it, despite a significant privacy breach with a new online casino.

Earlier this week, officials confirmed that the breach forced them to shut down the PlayNow.com website within hours of its launch last Thursday.

It was revealed that some gamblers had seen the personal information of others on the site, including the names, contact information and, in some cases, credit card and bank information.

However, Campbell told reporters on Thursday that the B.C. Lottery Corporation, or BCLC, is fixing the problems.

"I think we always have to be vigilant," he said. "We have to learn from all the mistakes that are made and when mistakes are made, I think that's exactly what they've tried to do."

Campbell said the B.C. privacy commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, is pleased with the steps taken by the lottery corporation.

"She thinks they've been diligent," he said. "I think they've been thoughtful and professional and that's what we expect of them."

Rich Coleman, the minister responsible for the corporation, said he's disappointed by the problems with the launch of the website.

Public relations disaster

Meanwhile, the founder of a multi-billion dollar online gaming company says the provincial government's website is not safe.

"There's no way the B.C. government can compete with the private companies, most of which are run out of London for safety," said Calvin Ayre, the founder of Bodog.

Ayre, who launched his business in 1994, said the province has a lot to learn about the business it's getting into — and should have learned it before launching the site.

"They should take more time and get it right before they rush out with announcements and roll out websites that haven't been tested," he said.

Ayre said the privacy breach is a public relations disaster, made worse by the government's promise it would be one of the most secure websites in the world.

Back to the drawing board

Meanwhile, a local security expert is warning that hackers and cyber-thieves will be on the alert when B.C.'s virtual casino goes back online.

Ryan Mattinson, a forensic examiner and computer security consultant, said the troubles are far from over for the lottery corporation.

"In this day and age, there's a baseline level of activity just from being online," he said.

"Everyone's having their systems probed and having automated attacks … run against them to see if there's anything that can be easily taken advantage of out there. And after something like this happens, then BCLC is going to be getting a little bit of extra attention."

Mattinson doesn't want to see the website running again anytime soon.

He said the lottery corporation needs to go back to the drawing board to beef up its security and quality control.

There is still no word on when the PlayNow.com website will be back up and running.