By Nigel Maxwell

Facebook gambling new target for SLGA

Jan 16, 2018 | 7:11 AM

Gambling on social media is a new fad for fundraising, but it’s an activity the province says falls under specific laws and they want people to be aware of them.

One such facebook post highlights the current trend. A Melfort area woman hosted a poker tournament to help pay her bills. 

Kayla Dipaolo, 24, who lives on the James Smith Cree Nation, was looking to raise $700 for an overdue power bill.

“I had a couple of friends who used [Facebook] to fundraise for their weddings and my mom had told me to give it a shot if it would help me in my situation,” she said.

In addition to being four months pregnant, Dipaolo also has a six-year-old daughter and is collecting income assistance. 

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So far she paid down just over $200, raised through a Texas Hold ‘Em Style tournament. As part of the tournament, Dipaolo sold cards on her page and revealed a winner through her Facebook feed. She said half the profits went back to the winner. Dipaolo said she was told by friends what she was doing was legal.

“I actually didn’t look into it any further because I had already posted it and I was thinking it was already too late,” she said.

Dipaolo’s story is not a unique one. Fundraisers of this kind are routinely found on Facebook.

David Morris, a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), said he is familiar with raffles, bingos or fundraisers conducted through social media.

“According to the Criminal Code of Canada all gaming activity must be licensed by the province in order to be legal and our role as SLGA is to regulate gaming and unlicensed gaming is a matter for the police to consider,” he said.

Morris could not confirm if Dipaolo would face any immediate consequences for her fundraiser. He said SLGA will first notify those involved and let them know they are required to get a license, which Morris described as a very simple process.

“You can apply online and there is no cost if your prize is less than $2,500,” he said.

Morris said the applicant could also be eligible to receive a grant from SLGA through the triple gaming grant equal to 25 per cent of the net proceeds made. But he was also quick to point out not every application will be approved.

“We look at those on a case by case basis. The Criminal Code does have some parameters as to what is eligible to be charitable in terms of gaming,” he said. 

Morris encouraged anyone with questions about gaming through social media to contact the SLGA office.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@nigelmaxwell