Provincial Lottos Ask Feds To Help Battle Illegal Online Gambling
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A coalition of provincial lottery corporations is protesting the use of misleading advertising and illegal gambling websites in Canada. The coalition wants the federal government to work with provincial jurisdictions to protect the Canadian public from online black-market operations. There are hundreds of illegal gaming sites operating in the country. The group wants to raise public awareness regarding these issues and reach out to media platforms to advise them of their duty to comply with existing laws and regulations.
$4 billion is wagered through offshore online sports betting sites in Canada, while only $500 million is bet on legal provincial sports lottery products. Online gray market operations have been ongoing in the country for over two decades. Provincial governments can regulate online gambling within their own province. Provincial lottery corporations reinvest profits into Canada’s communities. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation President and CEO Manny Atwal is asking the federal government to help fight illegal online gaming.
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation is not in the coalition. Ontario launched its regulated online gaming and sports betting market on April 4. Offshore operators are not allowed to operate in Ontario without a gaming license from the Alcohol and Game Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario. Bet365 and Betway are two offshore operators that have successfully made the transition to becoming regulated in Canada. NET gaming site advertising is running on social and mainstream media in Canadian and throughout Ontario, but it must make it clear that these games are play-for-free. The ads must also make clear they are promoting brands that are operating unregulated books outside of the province.
