New Gaming Regulations will help keep operators honest

March 18, 2010
GAMING CONTROL ACT AMENDMENTS TO BE PROCLAIMED
Lottery Ticket Retailers to be Added to Regulatory Regime: Chomiak
Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak, minister responsible for the Gaming Control Act, today announced the pending proclamation of legislative amendments which will bring third-party regulatory oversight to lottery ticket gaming in Manitoba.
“The new measures will introduce additional expectations for the honesty and integrity of business owners selling and redeeming lottery tickets in Manitoba,” Chomiak said. “The amendments will bring independent oversight, via the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission (MGCC), to lottery ticket gaming through registration and investigation mandates similar to those in place for casinos, VLT site holders and gaming industry suppliers.”

Effective April 1, the MGCC will begin to:
· register the owners of all businesses that sell lottery tickets based on a formal application and background investigation process;

· set terms and conditions under which all retailers and their employees must operate; and

· inspect lottery retail locations, respond to player complaints and investigate irregularities.
“Overall, the new legislative measures will give players access to an independent avenue to lodge game integrity complaints and trigger investigations in the event of a dispute involving lottery ticket sales and prize redemptions,” Chomiak noted.
In addition to the amendments involving lottery ticket retailers, the MGCC will also have oversight for the Western Canada Lottery Corporation’s responsible gambling policy. This measure will bring consistency and equity to Manitoba’s responsible gambling commitments as similar regulatory requirements have applied to the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation and all casino operations since 2005, the minister said.