Is Meta finally doing something to curtail ads on its platforms for fake online casinos?
The company is introducing a more rigorous authorization process for gambling advertisements/branded content on Facebook and Instagram.
For more than two years, ads for fake Canadian online casinos designed to scam consumers out of their money have regularly appeared on Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram. This year, the problem seems to have worsened. We wrote about in our Jan. 22 newsletter, again in our Jan. 31 dispatch and on Feb. 5, when the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) weighed in to say it didn’t have jurisdiction over illegal sites.
Since the winter, ads for fake online casinos continue to regularly appear on Meta platforms. This one, for a Woodbine online casino that does not exist, appeared in my Instagram feed in May:
Advertising standards in Canada are generally less rigid for social media platforms than they are for traditional broadcasters.
Well, Meta - finally - appears to be addressing a serious problem that goes something like this:
Scammers create ads using the names and images of retail casino sites and try to con unsuspecting users into thinking that retail casino now also operates an online casino of the same name.
Outside of online gambling sites offered by the various provincial lottery corporations, online casinos are only legal in Ontario. In that province, only the Caesars and Fallsview retail brands also offer a legal online casino with the same corporate name.
Last week, Ziv Chen wrote in Covers, that, “Meta is introducing a more rigorous authorization process for gambling ads on Facebook and Instagram. Now, all advertisements featuring actual-money gaming will have to go through Meta's ‘Permissions and Verifications’ process in the Business Suite… Advertisers will also have to submit more advanced paperwork, which will incorporate current gambling licenses and certification of compliance of law in all regions where commercials are being shown. Approval is granted only for specific ad accounts, and any new business profiles must undergo a separate internal review.”
Minor kudos to Meta for finally doing something about ads on its platform which are designed to scam consumers. Though, why did this take so long and will this actually be effective?
No idea on the former, and we’ll see on the latter.
Also, we’d still like the AGCO to do more to protect both consumers and legitimate licensed gambling operators beyond throwing up its hands. After all, consumer protection is a major tenet of its regulation and it certainly could have its legal department issue cease and desist letters to any platform taking ads for fake casinos.
For now, consumers confused about which sites are legal and which are not should follow the AGCO’s advice, which was as follows in a message the regulator sent to Gaming News Canada earlier this year:
“Ontarians who choose to gamble online are encouraged to always confirm that the website they are playing on is registered with the AGCO. Other than the Ontario Lottery and Gaming website, OLG.ca, which is owned and regulated by the Ontario government, players can be assured that a website is regulated if the iGaming Ontario logo appears on the website and in ads. Players can also look up the name of the gaming site on the iGaming Ontario database to determine if the site is regulated.”
Responsible gambling in the spotlight on this week’s GNC Show
You’re not going to want to miss this week’s Gaming News Canada Show featuring Steve McAllister’s interview with Dr. Harry Levant, the Director of Gambling Policy at Northeastern University.
In April of 2014, Levant walked out of a casino after making what would be his final wager. He returned to his hotel room and attempted to write a suicide note to leave for his family. He decided against taking his own life and now has spent the past four years dedicated to working with people struggling with problem gambling.
You can listen to the show via your favourite podcasting app, or watch it here:
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People on the Move
Megan Easey is appointed Chief Executive Officer at igaming fintech company Xace.
Joining the Board of Directors at the Responsible Gambling Council are Rhea Loney, Derek Ramm, Al Watson and Navtej Sandhawalia. Departing the board as their tenures come to an end are Jim Engel and Simo Dragicevic.
Mikael Strunge is promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Danish business Acroud.
NEXT.io scribe Zak Thomas-Akoo broke the news that there’s a massive changing of the
guardboard at Hexopay.Tom McMahon is the new Senior Vice President of Slot Operations and Marketing at Resorts World Las Vegas.
James Dennecker, formerly of Aparium Hotel Group, is the new Vice President of Hospitality at PENN Entertainment.
Fanatics names Joshua Stein its Senior Director, Loyalty Business Development.
Andrew Robinson is appointed Director of Brand Solutions at OpTic Gaming.
Todd Grossman, formerly of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, is named Director of Gaming Regulatory Compliance at PrizePicks.
Jamie Cutler, ex of theScore and Fanatics, comes on board FanDuel as Senior Associate, Content Marketing.
Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter joins BetMGM as an Ambassador for its business in both the U.S. and Canada.
Ryan Stasiuk comes on board OLG as a Sales Specialist.
Phill Fairclough bids adieu to Sporting Group and joins Angstrom as Senior Quant Trader.
Josh Wintjes has a new role at theScore: Senior Sports Trader.
The Los Angeles Rams promote Marissa Daly to Senior Vice President, Studios and Marketing.
Classified (Jobs) Information
Wynn Las Vegas has an opening for a Vice President – Digital Platforms & Engineering.
DraftKings is in hiring mode for a Revenue Operations Senior Specialist, and a couple of Sportsbook Operations Specialists. DK also has some Sports Trader openings in Las Vegas.
Gambling.com Group currently has a 17-pack of openings.
There’s a plethora of employment opportunities with GBG Plc.
Bet365 is looking for a Fraud and Risk Specialist.
Play Alberta has an opportunity for a Customer Success Manager.
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is seeking an Indigenous Sponsorship Program Coordinator.
FanDuel wants to bring on board a Brand Manager – Casino.
Hard Rock Digital is hiring a Casino Operations Manager, and a Senior Trader.
Bet99 has an opening for a Social Media Coordinator.
Sportradar needs a. . . yep. . . Social Media Coordinator.
Our friends at NEXT.io are on the lookout for a Senior Event Manager.
Aristocrat Gaming is hiring a Senior Accountant – LATAM.
Wanted by Fanatics: an AI Engineer.
Push Gaming is searching for a Game Client Developer.
North Star Network is on the lookout for a Head of Content - Sports Betting Affiliation.
There’s a Casino Product Owner opening with Playtech in Gibraltar.
Esports organization Cloud9 has an array of job openings.
IGT wants to bring on board a Game Producer/Project Manager (iGaming).
OLG is offering an opportunity to a Digital Communications Student.
Wanted by the Canadian Elite Basketball League: a Director of Corporate Partnerships.
Adobe is on the lookout for a Director, Sports Marketing & Innovation.
Lululemon has a Vancouver-based opening for a Senior Brand Marketing Manager – North America.
TikTok is hiring a Product Strategy & Operation Manager - Sports.
The Logic is seeking a couple of experienced journalists.
The WNBA Toronto Tempo are in the market for an Account Executive, Tickets Sales & Service.
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment wants to hire a Strategist, Commercial Marketing.
Your Toronto Blue Jays are in the market for a Manager, Fan Insights.
PRSVRE Media Group has a whole lotta openings for folks interested in covering Canadian university sports.
FloHockey is on the lookout for a Content Creator.
Podcast business Acast is searching for an Account Manager to work out of Toronto.
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