Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) is warning the public about fraudulent gambling ads on the internet.
These ads claim to be associated with real casinos in the region but are fake. Scammers create these ads to deceive the public for financial gain using the logos, names, and pictures of actual casinos.
Saskatchewan regulations permit online gambling solely on PlayNow, which is approved by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA). The British Columbia Lottery Corporation operates the platform.
LGS has specifically warned the public to be careful when interacting with ads featuring Dakota Dunes Casino, Casino Regina, or any other online land-based casino in Saskatchewan. These ads specifically target unsuspecting individuals to steal their personal information, including credit card information.
LGS Vice President of Gaming, Steve Tunison explained, "None of the land-based casinos in Saskatchewan have a legitimate online version, and people who see these types of ads on their social media channels are strongly advised not to click on them. Saskatchewan people who wish to gamble online can do so safely and securely on PlayNow.com, which is the only legal online gaming platform in our province."
Scammers have rampantly increased their activities through social media, which is the main reason for the magnitude of this particular issue. In light of this, LGS is suggesting the public flag misleading and deceptive gambling ads on social media to the respective platforms.
Government-Backed Gambling Sites in Canada Facing Challenges
PlayNow is a government-approved gambling platform and the only site permitted to provide online gambling to Saskatchewan residents.
This situation underscores the constant risk of online scams to the gaming industry. Scammers habitually take advantage of public faith in well-known casino brands by posing as them and utilizing their names to establish a deceitful perception of legitimacy.
As users interact, they are generally directed to scam websites that request personal and financial information. This leads to unauthorized payments, identity theft, and financial loss.
Canada and U.S. regulatory agencies are working hard to tackle these scams. Social media websites are also being called upon to have stricter processes for detecting and removing deceptive gambling ads before they reach potential victims. However, as online scams continuously adapt, eliminating these illegal activities remains a significant challenge.
PlayNow is not the only government-backed gambling platform that faces challenges. OLG, the online gambling platform in Ontario, is facing increased competition as the province is the only one in Canada that allows third-party operators to accept players legally. iGaming revenues have slowed since other operators launched in April 2022.
