Illegal lottery on TikTok: Quebec influencers line their pockets

Quebec influencers have been organizing various illegal draws on the TikTok platform for nearly a year, pocketing thousands of dollars.

Since February, Arianne Chouinard-Laporte from Mirabel in the Laurentians and Chloé Lafontaine from Saint-Charles-Borromée in Lanaudiere have been organizing live casino games several times a week on the TikTok social network.

“Well, we’re giving a good blitz to those who want to participate. We’re at about $200, and if I’m not mistaken, we’re shooting Dread-law Live”, announced Arianne Chouinard-Laporte late this Wednesday evening.

Last week, a lottery of inflatable balloons was organized. At stake: $1000 prize, one of $500, one of $200 and three of $100. Prizes were buried in 315 inflatable balloons available for $15 each PayPal Where Interac.

Together, the two women have over 90,000 subscribers on TikTok. Their live videos can reach hundreds or even thousands of people a day.

“Illegal Lottery”

The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) confirmed to our investigative bureau that it received two complaints last week about these influencers. He sent the files to the police on Thursday.

“When it does not qualify under our licensing criteria, it is a criminal offence. It is the police who are involved. It’s an illegal lottery,” says Joyce Tremblay, a trained lawyer and spokeswoman for the RACJ.

On Wednesday evening, Arianne Chouinard-Laporte explained first-hand how half and half works for her subscribers. He noted that 50% of the funds collected go to the winner as prizes. The other part went into his pockets as compensation for his work.

On Thursday, her boyfriend, Danny DeSantis, was in a live drawing for a $2,000 travel gift certificate among participants who bought a $50 ticket.

M^e Tremblay explains that in Quebec, only non-profit organizations (NPOs) can obtain a permit to organize a game of chance to win money.

“We cannot get rich at the people’s expense,” insists a spokesperson for the RACJ.

Questions are banned

When the legitimacy of their activities on the platform is questioned, influencers and their moderators delete comments and can ban TikTok accounts to prevent content from being viewed. They reiterated on several occasions that they hold the permit that allows them to carry out sweeps.

However, the RCAJ claims that the license was not available in their name before transferring the file to the police.

The Criminal Code specifies that both organizers and participants of unauthorized lotteries are liable to charges.

Additionally, TikTok’s rules state that posting or sharing “any content promoting casinos, sports betting, poker, lotteries, gambling-related software and applications” is prohibited.

On Thursday, Arianne Chouinard-Laporte declined to answer our questions, and Chloé Lafontaine did not respond to our interview request.

Who can organize the draw?

• In Quebec, only non-profit organizations can obtain permits to operate draws, lotteries and other games of chance where money can be won, Ms.^e Joyce Tremblay, RACJ spokesperson.
• A license issued by the RACJ must be displayed “in full view of members of the public attending the venue”.
• Profits from any drawing must be used for charitable or religious purposes related to the mission of the NPO.
• In the event of a 50/50 draw of less than $5,000, a “natural person” must issue a ticket directly to each purchaser.

Source: RACJ