The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is raising awareness of casino-related scams.

The gambling operator has issued warnings to the public about scams that mimic land-based casino brands on various social media channels. The scams, which have been found on platforms including Facebook and Instagram, are designed to make individuals provide their financial details on illicit sites.

The sites have been able to scam British Columbia residents with logos, names, and images of local casinos with offers of exclusive bonuses and promotions. As a result of the scams, the BCLC is informing customers of its only online gambling site, PlayNow.com.

The BCLC supports other sites, which include BCLC Lotto! and PlayNow BC Sportsbook.

The operator is taking additional steps to curtail illicit gambling-related advertisements.

The BCLC and its casino partners have been removing posts that are not sanctioned while also providing communication channels for residents to report marketing scams. The BCLC is directing residents to its customer support centre and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The anti-fraud centre allows residents to report scams via telephone or online.

BCLC’s commitment to fair gaming

In March 2023, the BCLC was appointed as a new member of United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS).

Following its approval by the ULIS Executive Committee, the BCLC was tasked with working with law enforcement and public authorities to combat the manipulation of sports. The BCLC joins the Loto-Québec and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation as lotteries in Canada that have become regular members of ULIS.

Not an isolated issue

Other provinces in Canada have been dealing with gambling-related instances of fraud.

Earlier this year, the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) issued warnings about online scams. The MBLL has been working to report fraudulent advertisements to social media brands but is continuing to combat these scams.

The illicit marketing has also been identified by Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE), which operates Casino New Brunswick and Casino Nova Scotia. In November 2023, GCE notified the public about online scams that featured false casino promotions and used unauthorized photos of employees and properties.