In Manitoba, despite having one authorized online gambling platform, the CBC discovered that it was straightforward to engage in betting with various well-known online brands that are deemed illegal by the provincial Liquor & Lotteries agency.
Teddy Wojtowicz, a resident of Brandon, Manitoba, who is recovering from a gambling addiction, expressed disappointment upon learning this. He emphasized the challenge this poses for individuals dealing with gambling issues.
Although Manitobans are limited to utilizing the province’s sole legal online gambling site, PlayNow, the CBC’s experiment revealed accessibility to certain online gambling platforms licensed in Ontario, which violates Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries regulations.
According to Danielle Rice, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, PlayNow faces intense competition from unauthorized operators attempting to lure Manitoba bettors to their platforms.
Following the legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021, provincial governments were tasked with overseeing online gambling and lotteries within their regions. While Ontario permitted private operators in its online gambling market, other provinces, such as Manitoba, manage online gambling through provincial entities like Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.
The CBC investigation tested the ease of betting with online gaming brands licensed in Ontario but not in Manitoba. Reporters successfully placed bets on three out of five popular online sports betting platforms tested, namely Sports Interaction, Tonybet, and Tooniebet. However, all three bets were lost.
Furthermore, Sports Interaction, owned by Entain PLC and registered in the Isle of Man, declined to comment on the issue at present. The CBC’s findings raise concerns about the prevalence of unauthorized online gambling activities that extend beyond provincial boundaries, prompting calls for enhanced regulatory frameworks to align with the evolving digital gaming landscape in Canada.