Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries asks courts to block offshore gambling site on behalf of gaming coalition [Video]

A coalition of Canadian gaming agencies is hoping an application to stop an offshore betting site from operating in Manitoba sets a precedent in the fight against illegal online gambling.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is seeking an injunction to bar the offshore gambling site Bodog from operating or advertising in the province.

The Crown corporation alleges in an application filed with the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench last week that the website bodog.eu and its sister “free play” site, bodog.net, are breaking the law by offering their services in Manitoba, where Liquor & Lotteries has sole authority over gambling.

“Bodog’s illegal activities are diverting customers in Manitoba away from MBLL’s legitimate operations,” it said, referencing PlayNow.com, its online gaming platform. “Significant revenue that would otherwise be generated by MBLL has been diverted to Bodog.”

The Crown corporation said in an email it filed the injunction on behalf of the Canadian …