Key points:
- Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is meant to have sole authority over gambling in the province, leading to a coalition of gaming agencies seeking an injunction against offshore sites
- The Crown stated that it filed the injunction on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition, an advocacy group made up of gaming corporations in BC, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Manitoba
A coalition of gaming agencies in Manitoba, Canada is seeking an injunction to suspend offshore gambling sites throughout the province, including bodog.eu and its sister site bodog.net.
The Crown corporation recently filed an application with the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench that states Bodog is breaking the law by offering its services in the province, where Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has sole authority over gambling.
The corporation filed the injunction on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition, an advocacy group made up of provincial gaming corporations in BC, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Manitoba.
Canadian Lottery Coalition Executive Director Will Hill stated that the filing is a first for the Coalition, which was formed during 2022 to fight the spread of illegal gambling sites.
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is seeking an injunction to bar Bodog from continuing to operate or advertise throughout the province.
Good to know: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries received pushback on January 30 from those who claim it has not lifted a “pause” on new gaming licenses
Hill also stated that he hopes the case will provide the Coalition with background that it can use to reinforce similar efforts against illegal gambling.
Bodog.eu allows players to bet money on sporting events and casino games such as blackjack and poker. The operator states that it accepts all players residing in Canada except for those located in Quebec or Nova Scotia.
The application alleges Bodog promotes its platform through false and misleading statements by representing itself as lawful, safe and trusted. The Coalition previously requested that Bodog suspend operations in Manitoba twice, but the operator refused to comply both times.
