Manitoba Court Slaps Injunction on Online Gambling Grey Market Operator
Manitoba Court Slaps Injunction on Online Gambling Grey Market Operator
- Court issues injunction banning Bodog
- PlayNow only legal platform in Manitoba
- Hundreds of millions diverted to illegal operators
A Manitoba court has ordered the grey market operator Bodog to cease its operations in the Canadian province, marking a significant move against the Caribbean-based company involved in online gambling.
The Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) initiated the injunction with the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) against the operator Il Nido Ltd., and Sanctum IP Holdings Ltd., the owner of the Canadian trademarks, earlier this year.
The injunction specifically aims to ban Bodog from operating and advertising its products in Manitoba, establishing PlayNow.com as the only legal multiproduct gaming site available in the province.
The CLC, a union of various provincial lotteries, including the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Loto Quebec, MBLL, and Lotteries & Gaming Saskatchewan, emphasised that substantial revenues, which should have gone to legitimate operators, are being lost to Bodog’s illegal operations.
Geo-Blocking Enforcement
According to the CLC, a notable portion of revenues that typically should be rerouted back to them is instead being taken by Bodog. The coalition has urged Bodog to take down its site on two separate occasions. CLC Executive Director Will Hill highlighted that PlayNow.com continuously faces challenges from unregulated gambling sites and misleading advertisements on a daily basis.
The Revenue Impact
“The revenue loss is in the hundreds of millions,” stated Hill. “Even more concerning is the trend observed from 2019 to 2023, where we noted a double-digit increase in the compound annual growth rate of illegal gambling activities.”
The court ruling indicated that the Respondents lack lawful authority to offer online gambling products and services through bodog.eu, bodog.net, and any associated sites, which is in violation of sections 201, 202, and 206 of the Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46.
The ruling mandates the discontinuation of Bodog’s operations at bodog.eu. The court has instructed the operator to halt all marketing efforts surrounding the platform, labelling the advertisements as untruthful and deceptive. Additionally, the court has ordered Bodog to apply geo-blocking technology to prevent access to their site for users located in Manitoba.
AGCO Takes Action Against Bodog
While a representative from the CLC was not immediately available for commentary, the judge’s forthcoming remarks regarding the decision are anticipated in the following weeks.
This court ruling is a significant victory for provincial lotteries combating illegal gambling operations such as Bodog.
Earlier in May, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario urged media outlets that promote unlicensed gambling websites like Bodog to cease any such activities.
Currently, Bodog is blocking players in Quebec and Nova Scotia from connecting to their platform but continues to aggressively advertise in Ontario, enticing local players.
Key Takeaways
- The Manitoba court’s injunction against Bodog highlights the ongoing battle against illegal online gambling in Canada.
- PlayNow.com is officially the only legal online gambling platform in Manitoba.
- The court has mandated Bodog’s implementation of geo-blocking technology, which is a crucial step towards protecting local markets from grey operators.
Conclusion
The decision made by the Manitoba court underscores the importance of regulating online gambling in Canada, ensuring that operators comply with local laws. The CLC’s efforts alongside the courts to preserve the integrity of legal gambling is vital to protect consumer interests and public revenue.
