The Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) on Oct. 5 announced its launch under a new name, the Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming (CARG), the organization said in a news release.
CARG describes itself as a national not-for-profit industry association representing members of the legal and regulated gambling industry in Canada. The organization said the change reflects the rapid transformation of Canada's gaming market.
The group was founded by publicly owned lottery and gaming organizations that return all profits to their provinces to help fund public services, CARG said.
"The Alliance was created in recognition of the increasingly complex and national nature of many industry-related issues and the importance of ensuring there is a strong, unified voice representing legal and regulated gaming organizations," said Molly Cormier, CARG's executive director.
CARG named illegal online gambling operators, increased advertising, emerging products such as prediction markets and evolving technologies as new challenges for policymakers and consumers. It said it will work with governments, regulators, industry stakeholders and communities on policies related to player health, consumer protection and enforcement.
"Canada's gambling landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace, while illegal and unregulated operators create growing risks for consumers and communities," Cormier said.
According to Blask data for August cited in a CasinoCanada study, 33.53% of Canadian players use offshore operators' platforms.
CLC previously called on regulators to set clearer rules for prediction markets before the market continues to expand in Canada.
CARG said it will welcome additional members from the legal and regulated gaming sector as membership expands. The organization also launched a new website the same day with information on its mandate and policy positions at carg-ajcr.ca.
