Manitoba currently operates a single legal online gambling platform. However, the CBC discovered that it was possible to place bets with various popular online gambling brands that Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries deems to be operating illegally.
Teddy Wojtowicz, a resident of Brandon, Manitoba, who is recovering from a gambling addiction, expressed disappointment upon learning about this situation.
While the only authorized online gambling platform in Manitoba is PlayNow, the CBC investigation revealed that some online brands licensed in Ontario were accessible to Manitobans, contrary to provincial regulations.
According to Danielle Rice, the vice-president of marketing and communications for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, PlayNow faces stiff competition from unauthorized operators seeking to attract Manitoba bettors.
After the legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021, provinces were given the responsibility to oversee online gambling within their jurisdictions. Ontario has opened its online gambling market to private operators, resulting in 48 active licensed platforms competing with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming corporation.
CBC reporters conducted a test by registering accounts with and placing bets on three out of five popular online sports betting platforms. Successful bets were made on Sports Interaction, Tonybet, and Tooniebet, all of which are licensed in Ontario.
Sports Interaction, owned by Entain PLC, declined to comment on the matter. Tonybet stated that they are a fully licensed and regulated platform in Estonia. Tooniebet, the official betting partner of the CFL, operates under Globalix Holding Ltd. and Canadix Ltd., both registered in Malta.
Despite notifications to Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries about the CBC test, the agency reiterated its exclusive authority to offer online gambling services in Manitoba.
Paul Burns, president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, highlighted the challenges posed by digital gaming growth in Canada and the need for updated legislation to address the evolving landscape.
The case of Bodog, a sports gambling site prohibited from operating in Manitoba due to violations of the Criminal Code and the Competition Act, exemplifies the legal complexities surrounding offshore gambling companies’ activities in Canada.
Lawyer Donald Bourgeois emphasized the enforcement challenges associated with offshore gambling companies and the need for clarity on the applicability of the Criminal Code to such entities.
Wojtowicz expressed concerns about the accessibility of unauthorized online gambling platforms outside Ontario, emphasizing the importance of enforcing regulatory boundaries in the industry.
The situation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the regulation of online gambling in Canada and the necessity for a cohesive approach to address unauthorized gambling activities across provinces.