The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) have issued a warning about fraudulent advertisements using the name of Casino Rama to lure unsuspecting players to an unregistered gaming site. These misleading ads, found on social media, falsely claim to be associated with Casino Rama but actually direct users to WinSpirit Casino, an unregistered platform based in Curaçao. The OPP’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau was alerted to the scam on April 11.
Authorities emphasize the importance of verifying the registration of online gambling sites with the AGCO to avoid falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Casino Rama has confirmed it has no connections with any unregistered online casinos, reinforcing the need for due diligence among online gamblers.
The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has criticized Meta for allowing these fraudulent ads to persist on its platforms. CGA President Paul Burns expressed frustration over social media platforms profiting from advertising dollars from licensed operators while failing to block fraudulent ads. CGA’s Senior Advisor Amanda Brewer added that Meta’s inaction is particularly egregious, given that similar scams have targeted numerous other land-based casino brands in recent months.
The CGA has called for Meta to implement stricter measures, such as requiring proof of license before accepting gambling advertisements, to prevent such fraudulent activities. The association highlighted the urgent need for social media platforms to adopt more robust vetting processes to protect consumers from being misled by unregistered and potentially unscrupulous operators.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges within the online gaming industry, where the proliferation of unregistered operators continues to pose significant risks to consumers. The collaboration between the OPP, AGCO, and industry bodies like the CGA aims to enhance public awareness and encourage safer online gambling practices in Canada. As the investigation progresses, stakeholders are hopeful that increased regulatory scrutiny and better enforcement of advertising standards will mitigate similar frauds in the future.
