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IAGR launches tool to check gambling website licenses in Canada
The launch coincides with the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, which focuses on websites operating without local authorization.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators has launched a tool in Canada that lets consumers check whether a gambling website is licensed to operate in a province.
The tool, CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, arrives during the inaugural Illegal Gambling Awareness Week, GamblingNews.com reported. The initiative aims to raise awareness of sites that lack a license from a recognized local gaming body and do not meet jurisdiction-specific requirements.
IAGR CEO Kevin Mullally said a site's appearance or name may give consumers confidence even when they do not know whether it holds the required local license.
“A professional-looking website or a recognizable name can give consumers confidence without knowing whether the site is properly licensed in that location. We want consumers to routinely check the licensing status of a site before opening an account or making a deposit,”
IAGR has asked regulators to coordinate their communications with consumers about unlicensed websites. The association said risks associated with such sites include theft of identity and financial information, as well as potential harm where responsible gambling protections are absent.