Manitoba Government questioned over status of new gambling licenses
Opponents say the pause on new licenses is not lifted.
Key Points
- The province was told to lift the pause on issuing new licenses in 2023
- However, the government continues to hold discussions with stakeholders
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has received some pushback from those who claim it has not lifted a “pause” on new gaming licenses, according to a CBC news report.
During late 2023, the NPD government told the regulator to lift restrictions on issuing new licenses. The pause had been in effect since 2018.
However, some have raised concerns because of a lack of updates, the local report said.
Konrad Narth, the Progressive Conservative critic for Liquor & Lotteries voiced to the CBC that believes the pause remains in effect.
Narth challenged the minister responsible for the Crown corporation, Glen Simard, by saying, “Essentially what you’re saying is that you’ve upheld the pause for the last year, outside of possibly refreshing some of the technology around the digital games.”
According to the local report, the government is “still in conversations with stakeholders.”
Simard acknowledged this as well and countered that “it takes time to develop whatever strategy may come out of those discussions.”
Liquor & Lotteries CEO Gerry Sul said during an interview with the CBC, “The province is considering expansion possibilities in a ‘meaningful way’ to ensure any new facilities don’t have ‘negative impacts on the province and the net income to the province.’”
In other Canadian news, iGaming Ontario’s Chief Executive Martha Otton has extended her retirement date.
Otton announced during the summer that she would be leaving the company. She planned to step down from her role as of December 31.
However, as the company continues its search to fill Otton’s role, she said she will stay with the company as its Chief Executive until March 31.
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