No police action targeting illegal online gambling

Private online casinos are all illegal in Canada with the Criminal Code making exceptions to casinos operated or authorised by the provinces and territories themselves.

The gambling law in Quebec still remains unclear as laws are not implemented. La Presse reached out to Montreal police to see how the serious cases of online gambling in the country are being handled to which they responded that the sector of online casinos falls under Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux department’s jurisdiction.

La Presse caught on to another dead end when reaching out to a spokesperson from this department as Joyce Tremblay denied casinos being under the department’s jurisdiction.

A report handed out to the government, which took place in 2014 by the media relations department concluded that “no police action targeting online gambling” had been taken in the previous three years.

The Montreal police have also confirmed in a statement that online casinos are not a top priority at the moment and their focus was more directed towards “violent and organised crime on the fringes” of gambling and sports betting.

Peter Schau from GAC Group stated: “The law is badly written, a company that is based here, that offers its game to Canadians, is illegal. If you’re based outside of the country, it’s alright.”

Quebec police officials are not taking any action towards online casinos even though in reality these casinos under the law are illegal. Without any enforcement and regulation, both the providers and the players are at risk of abuse and harm.

All reputable online gaming operators should hold a licence by an official ruling regulatory body. The most popular in Quebec are the MGA, the UKGC, and the Government of Cura?ao.

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