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A fake gambling advertisement involving the family of Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies is putting more attention on the continued presence of offshore gambling sites in Canada.
According to an Edmonton Journal report, an Instagram account called Prime Spin Zone posted the AI-generated advertisement.
The AI-generated promotion falsely depicted Davies’ father being arrested in Edmonton before claiming that money discovered by police came from gambling winnings. Users who followed the advertisement were directed to Oxibet, an offshore gambling site that isn’t registered to operate in Alberta.
The fact that the promotion directed users to an unregistered site demonstrates how fake endorsements can be used to make offshore gambling platforms appear more legitimate. This can put players at risk, since these offshore sites don’t have the same consumer protections in place.
The timing is notable because Alberta just recently opened its competitive online gambling market. Since July, approved private operators have been able to offer online sports betting and casino games under provincial regulation. Those companies must meet standards covering areas such as responsible gambling and player protections.
However, this fake AI-advertisement highlights how opening a regulated market doesn’t automatically remove offshore sportsbooks.
That is where misleading advertising becomes a bigger concern. Someone who sees a convincing social media promotion featuring a recognizable Canadian figure may not immediately know whether the gambling site behind it is approved by a provincial regulator.
The same issue exists beyond Alberta. The continued presence of offshore gambling in Canada has become part of the discussion around whether additional provinces could eventually adopt competitive iGaming models similar to Ontario and Alberta.
A regulated market doesn’t entirely remove offshore platforms, but it can definitely deter players from joining those websites.
Alberta can look at Ontario as an example of targeting companies affiliated with offshore platforms.
Earlier this year, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario fined Relax Gaming Limited and Arrise Solutions Limited $40,000 each. An investigation found games supplied by the two companies on unregulated gambling websites that were accessible to Ontario players.
This was significant because it targeted businesses helping support the unregulated market instead of the offshore websites alone.
The AGCO said it wants to disrupt the supply chains behind unregulated gambling. That strategy gives Canadian regulators another tool. They may not always be able to stop an offshore gambling site directly, but they can take action against regulated companies that provide games or other services to those platforms.
Regulators also encourage players to verify that a betting site is approved before signing up. In Alberta, players can check AGLC’s registered operators, while Ontario players can use the regulated operator directory to confirm whether a sportsbook or online casino is authorized.
That simple step can help players avoid offshore platforms that may look legitimate but operate outside provincial rules.
With AI-generated ads misleading the public, it’s never been more important to verify that the site is regulated.
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