With the Canadian Football League season set to kick off, Saskatchewan sports bettors and online gamblers are being warned to watch out for a surge of fraudulent social media ads.
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Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) recently issued a reminder cautioning the public against deceptive ads on platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram. The scams frequently impersonate provincial landmarks, using unauthorized names, logos and exterior images of physical locations like Casino Regina to trick users.
“If you see a social media ad for an online version of Casino Regina or any other land-based casino in the province, don’t click on it,” said Steve Tunison, LGS vice-president of gaming.
Tunison clarified that none of Saskatchewan’s brick-and-mortar casinos or video lottery terminal (VLT) programs operate online platforms for sports betting or casino-style wagers.
According to LGS, the fraudulent advertisements are designed to steal credit card numbers and sensitive banking information. The problem is part of a broader trend targeting casino operators across North America.
To combat the issue, LGS has partnered with a brand impersonation takedown service. The initiative has successfully identified and removed more than 140 fraudulent ads targeting Saskatchewan residents over the last six months.
Officials reiterated that PlayNow.com remains the only legal, regulated online gaming and sports betting platform operating within Saskatchewan.
Residents who encounter suspected fraudulent ads are encouraged to report them directly to the social media platform where they appeared. Cybercrime and scam attempts can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or filing a report online through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
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