Manitoba court injunction against Bodog moves forward
The Canadian Lottery Coalition’s efforts to defend Manitoba’s legal igaming market by going to court is progressing, at least by baby steps anyway.
In February, the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation announced it was filing an injunction on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition against Caribbean-based operator behind the illegal gambling site Bodog.
In Manitoba, PlayNow is the only legal platform for sports betting and online casino.
The Canadian Lottery Coalition represents a collaboration of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Loto Quebec, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and Lotteries & Gaming Saskatchewan.
The legal effort is the first of its kind for Canadian Lottery Coalition on behalf of the provincial lottery corporations. The injunction with the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench was filed against Il Nido, Bodog’s operator, and Sanctum IP Holdings, which owns the Canadian trademarks, and seeks to ban Bodog from the province, both from doing business there and advertising its services.
According to CBC News reporting, the court application argues Bodog promotes its platforms via misleading statements, presenting itself as lawful and safe, which it isn’t. Twice Canadian Lottery Coalition has asked Bodog to take down its site, but it has refused.
Will Hill, executive director of the Canadian Lottery Coalition, told COMPLETE iGAMING that counsel for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries was in court last week (March 5) as scheduled, successfully securing an order setting a hearing date for May 26, and the court also agreed to set a schedule for filing materials between now and then.
“We cannot provide comment on a matter that is currently before the courts,” Hill said. “When Manitobans choose PlayNow, net profits generated through this regulated gaming activity flow back to the province to help fund critical government services, like health care, education and other priority programs.”
Mark Keast is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and covers the Canadian digital gaming industry for COMPLETE iGAMING. Mark is a long-time sportswriter and editor, most notably with the Toronto Sun and Toronto Star.
