Loto-Quebec taking aim at offshore casinos

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Last week’s newsletter included a reference to online casinos operating in Quebec without a licence from the province’s lottery corporation. Hugo Joncas of La Presse, who’s done a lot of reporting on the story, has since reported that Loto-Quebec is getting ready to launch a marketing campaign to remind online casino players in the province that it is the lone legal offering.

“Although Loto-Québec does not have the power to legislate, we will continue to make every effort to take our place and channel the illegal gaming traffic to our site,” Loto-Quebec spokesperson Renaud Dugas told Joncas.

The La Presse reporter also reached out to media companies accepting advertising dollars from grey market/illegal casino companies. They point to current legislation that allow those businesses to promote their products where users can play for free. Those are the .net sites, while the .com sites provide pay-to-play opportunities around casino games and sports betting.

As provinces across the country pin down their strategy for a legal gaming environment, we’ll see how they - and the sports broadcasters, teams and leagues - deal with offshore operators with existing Canadian customers who aren’t all that keen on paying licensing fees and taxes.

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