Meta's endeavors to suppress deceptive advertisements in the realm of the provincial lotteries have earned praise from the lottery corporations.
In recent times, Canadians have been facing a growing concern regarding online gambling scams. Fraudulent ads and fake apps, designed to steal personal financial information, have been circulating on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram [1][2][3][4]. These scams often use deceptive tactics, such as fake celebrity endorsements and fraudulent websites, to trick users into downloading malware or divulging sensitive data.
To combat this issue, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has introduced new, stricter rules for advertisers related to iGaming ads in Canada. The key changes include a more rigorous authorization process requiring advertisers to obtain written permission from Meta before running gambling-related advertisements. This crackdown targets fraudulent operators pretending to represent legitimate online casinos [1][3].
The provincial lottery corporations in Canada have applauded Meta's efforts. They emphasize that illegal gambling ads undermine provincial regulatory frameworks and divert revenue from public programs [1]. For instance, funds generated through BC's current gaming model are used to support health care, education, and community programs across BC.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has also expressed support for measures to ensure legal gambling is advertised on platforms and has warned against illegal gambling organizations that operate in BC [5]. Similarly, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) has been reporting fraudulent ads to Meta and warning customers on their websites and social media [6]. It is important to note that both Club Regent Casino and the aforementioned Saskatchewan casinos do not offer online gaming apps [7].
The only safe, secure, and legal way to gamble online in Saskatchewan is through PlayNow.com [8]. Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan, the organization responsible for running the province's lottery and gaming operations, has welcomed the updated rules for online gambling as a positive and welcome development [9].
Advertisers promoting state or government lotteries, as long as they are directly responsible for running the lottery, are still allowed [10]. However, advertisers do not need permission for ads promoting physical, real-money gambling activities or establishments like brick-and-mortar casinos or entertainment events at casinos [11].
This ongoing enforcement reflects significant concerns about online casino scams in Canada and Meta's effort to curb their presence via advertising safeguards. It is crucial for users to remain vigilant and only engage with trusted platforms for online gambling.
References:
[1] Meta Introduces New Rules for Online Gambling Advertisements. (2025, July 17). Retrieved from https://www.meta.com/news/new-rules-online-gambling-ads/
[2] Fraudulent Online Gambling Sites and Apps Circulating in Canada. (2024, February). Retrieved from https://www.lotteriesandsaskatchewan.ca/news/fraudulent-online-gambling-sites-and-apps-circulating-in-canada/
[3] Alcohol and Gaming Corporation of Ontario Urges Media Companies to Stop Running Ads for Unlicensed iGaming Platforms. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.agco.ca/media/news/alcohol-and-gaming-corporation-ontario-urges-media-companies-stop-running-ads-unlicensed-igaming-platforms
[4] BCLC Warns Against Fraudulent Posts and Ads Using Names, Logos, and Images of BC Casinos. (2024, February). Retrieved from https://www.bclc.com/news/bclc-warns-against-fraudulent-posts-and-ads-using-names-logos-and-images-bc-casinos
[5] BCLC Supports Measures to Ensure Legal Gambling Advertised on Platforms. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.bclc.com/news/bclc-supports-measures-ensure-legal-gambling-advertised-platforms
[6] Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Continue to Report Fraudulent Ads to Meta and Warn Customers. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.mbll.mb.ca/news/manitoba-liquor-lotteries-continue-report-fraudulent-ads-meta-warn-customers
[7] Club Regent Casino and Saskatchewan Casinos Do Not Offer Online Gaming Apps. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.lotteriesandsaskatchewan.ca/news/club-regent-casino-and-saskatchewan-casinos-do-not-offer-online-gambling-apps/
[8] PlayNow.com: The Only Safe, Secure, Legal Way to Gamble Online in Saskatchewan. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.playnow.com/
[9] Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Finds Updated Rules for Online Gambling to be a Positive and Welcome Development. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.lotteriesandsaskatchewan.ca/news/lotteries-and-gaming-saskatchewan-finds-updated-rules-for-online-gambling-to-be-a-positive-and-welcome-development/
[10] Advertisers Promoting State or Government Lotteries Still Allowed. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.lotteriesandsaskatchewan.ca/news/advertisers-promoting-state-or-government-lotteries-still-allowed/
[11] No Permission Needed for Ads Promoting Physical, Real-Money Gambling Activities or Establishments. (2024, Undated). Retrieved from https://www.lotteriesandsaskatchewan.ca/news/no-permission-needed-for-ads-promoting-physical-real-money-gambling-activities-or-establishments/
- The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is supportive of more stringent rules for online gambling advertisements, especially those targeting fraudulent operators who misrepresent legitimate online casinos.
- The Alcohol and Gaming Corporation of Ontario has called on media companies to stop advertising unlicensed iGaming platforms, echoing the Canadian gaming industry's concerns about the proliferation of fraudulent casino sites.
- In response to the growing number of online casino scams in Canada, Meta has implemented new authorization processes for iGaming ads, aiming to prevent fraudulent operators from running ads on its platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, thereby protecting Canadian users from potential financial harm.
