Manitoba Judge Delivers Stunning Blow to Bodog in Historic Ruling

In a dramatic courtroom showdown that has sent shockwaves through Canada’s gaming landscape, a Manitoba judge has effectively chained the offshore gambling giant Bodog, declaring its operations in the province illegal. Justice Jeffrey Harris of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba didn’t mince words, citing the company’s audacious and unlawful tactics as the driving force behind his decision to grant a permanent injunction against Bodog on May 26. The ruling, detailed in a 26-page document released on June 26 and shared with Open Cards on July 3, marks a pivotal moment for provincial gaming authorities and their battle against unregulated online gambling.

The Chains of Justice Tighten on Bodog

The saga began when Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL), acting on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC), sought to halt Bodog’s unchecked expansion into Manitoba. The injunction targets Bodog’s parent company, Il Nido Ltd., and its Canadian trademark holder, Sanctum IP Holdings Ltd., ordering them to cease all operations and advertising “accessible to Manitobans.”

To enforce this, Justice Harris mandated the implementation of geoblocking technology to sever access to Bodog’s real-money site, bodog.eu, within Manitoba’s borders. By June, Bodog had reluctantly added Manitoba to its list of restricted provinces, a move seen as a reluctant nod to the court’s authority.

The judge’s reasoning paints a vivid picture of a company that overstepped its bounds. Harris found that Bodog’s practice of accepting Manitoba players’ money, coupled with aggressive advertising, violated

1. The Criminal Code of Canada,
2. The Competition Act, and
3. The Trademarks Act.

Even Bodog’s “free play for amusement only” platform, bodog.net, fell under scrutiny, with the judge ruling that the company had “no lawful authority” to offer or promote any gambling services in the province.

A Victory Echoing Across Canada’s Gaming World

The ruling’s broader implications have lottery corporations buzzing with excitement. Justice Harris reaffirmed the exclusivity granted to provincial governments under Section 207 of the Criminal Code, which empowers them to control gaming operations or license specific entities to do so.

“MBLL holds the sole legal authority to operate online gambling platforms in Manitoba,”

Harris wrote, a statement that strengthens the position of MBLL’s PlayNow.com and similar platforms across provinces like British Columbia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, all members of the CLC alongside the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS).

Will Hill, Executive Director of the CLC, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm when speaking to Canadian Gaming Business on July 3.

“This is a win that reverberates beyond Manitoba’s borders, striking a chord across the entire Canadian gaming industry,” he declared.

Hill highlighted the clarity of Harris’s verdict, noting it dispels past ambiguities about the Criminal Code’s intent. “It’s a resounding endorsement of the framework we’ve long championed,” he added, suggesting this could set a precedent for future crackdowns on offshore operators.

Bodog’s Bold Moves Backfire

What sealed Bodog’s fate was not just its gambling offerings but its brazen marketing strategy. Harris zeroed in on the company’s claims of being a “legal online casino in Canada” and “one of the safest places to gamble online within the realms of [Canada],” statements plastered across its websites. These assertions, coupled with targeted ads on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and YouTube, were deemed a deliberate attempt to lure Manitoba residents.

An independent consultant hired by MBLL uncovered damning evidence: Manitoba players could effortlessly register on bodog.eu using local addresses, deposit funds from Canadian bank accounts in CAD, and gamble without any location verification. Despite having the technical capability to impose restrictions, Bodog turned a blind eye, a lapse Harris found inexcusable. This lack of due diligence, combined with its extensive advertising reach, painted Bodog as a rogue player unwilling to play by Canada’s rules.

The Sting of Illegal Operations

The fallout for MBLL and Manitobans has been profound, according to Gerry Sul, MBLL’s President and CEO. In a fiery CLC statement on July 3, Sul condemned Bodog’s actions as not only illegal but deeply harmful. “The incalculable damage to MBLL and our community from Bodog’s reckless conduct cannot be overstated,” he said. Justice Harris echoed this sentiment, noting the financial and reputational toll on the province’s regulated gaming sector.

The judge’s decision underscores a growing intolerance for offshore operators who skirt local laws, siphoning revenue and undermining public trust. For Manitoba, where gaming revenue supports critical community programs, this ruling is a lifeline to reclaim control and protect its citizens from the shadowy underbelly of unregulated gambling.

A Turning Point or Just the Beginning?

As the dust settles, the gaming industry watches closely. This ruling could embolden other provinces to pursue similar actions against offshore entities, potentially reshaping Canada’s online gambling landscape. For Bodog, the chains of justice may prove difficult to break, with the company now forced to recalibrate its strategy or risk further legal battles.

Meanwhile, MBLL and the CLC are poised to leverage this victory, turning the page on a chapter of ambiguity and stepping boldly into a future where provincial authority reigns supreme.

For Manitobans, the decision offers a glimmer of hope—a chance to see gaming profits stay local, funding schools, healthcare, and infrastructure rather than lining the pockets of offshore profiteers.

As the legal echoes fade, one thing is clear: Justice Harris has drawn a line in the sand, and the gaming world will never be quite the same.