Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis warned the public about a new gambling-related scam in the province. According to the gaming regulator, there are new circulating fraudulent apps and social media advertisements that pretend to be casinos and racing entertainment centres. These deceitful ads imply that the venues have incorporated online gambling into their business.
AGLC is a provincially-run agency that, as the name suggests, regulates gaming, liquor and cannabis products provided to all Albertans. All of the proceeds produced from its operations are invested in local communities. The regulator also runs PlayAlberta.com, the only regulated platform in the province that offers online casino and sports betting opportunities.
Beware of Online Scams
As mentioned, these new fake gambling ads suggest that Alberta’s land-based entertainment has kicked off online gambling operations, which is not the case. With its statement, AGLC reminds locals that none of the 29 casinos or RECs are licensed to offer online casino gaming. And warns using these apps or accessing social media ads may put one’s personal information at risk.
In addition to that, the gaming watchdog remarked that on top of fraudulent ads for brick-and-mortar destinations, it has also seen a bump in counterfeit applications for PlayAlberta for both Apple and Android app stores. The iGaming platform remains the only legal gambling website and it is currently available on desktop, tablet, and smartphone devices.
The Crown corporation urges users to be on high alert when opening ads online or in an app store and look for certain signs. For instance, these ingenuine ads use the correct and official name of the venue. Also, if they are asked to share financial information when claiming a prize won on social media. Lastly, they should be mindful of grammatical and common spelling errors.
In the summer of 2023, AGLC launched an improved version of PlayAlberta. Thanks to a collaboration with NeoGames’ subsidiary, BtoBet, the regulator revamped the sportsbook. As part of the deal, BtoBet, delivered its fully managed sportsbook solution to the iGaming platform, hence providing one-of-a-kind sports betting entertainment for local players.
According to AGLC, some of the new features that will be incorporated into the online sportsbook will include player props for all major North American leagues, such as NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA. Players can also expect single-game parlays, additional markets and leagues, additional outright bets, and new promotional options such as boosted odds and parlay multipliers.
Legal Challenge Resolved
However, the iGaming platform was the subject of criticism from Tsuu T’ina Gaming and other communities, which took the matter to court. They believe that the AGLC did not have the right to establish the online gambling website. But in April 2023, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled in favour of AGLC as it was eligible to conduct and manage provincial lotteries on behalf of the Government of Alberta.
Source: “PSA: Fraudulent casino apps and ads in Alberta” Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, January 25, 2024
