The lack of transparent updates on Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ status in regard to the granting of additional gaming licenses has drawn criticism. Despite the government’s order to end a ban on new licenses that has been in effect since 2018, the provincial Crown corporation has come under fire, according to a CBC investigation.
The Manitoba NDP government gave Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries instructions to remove the limitations on gaming license issuance in late 2023. But because there hasn’t been any advancement or clear communication on the subject, worries have increased. Critics claim that the license pause might still be in place, which would cause misunderstanding and annoyance.
Konrad Narth, the Progressive Conservative critic for Liquor & Lotteries, voiced his concerns about the situation. He challenged Minister Glen Simard’s statements, pointing out that there had been no visible movement on lifting the pause. Narth remarked to CBC, “Essentially what you’re saying is that you’ve upheld the pause for the last year, outside of possibly refreshing some of the technology around the digital games.”
Ongoing Stakeholder Discussions
While the government has stated that discussions with stakeholders are ongoing, it remains unclear what the next steps will be. Minister Simard confirmed that developing a strategy from these conversations takes time. “It takes time to develop whatever strategy may come out of those discussions,” Simard explained.
In the midst of the uncertainty, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries CEO Gerry Sul reassured the public that the province is taking a thoughtful approach to any future expansions. “The province is considering expansion possibilities in a ‘meaningful way’ to ensure any new facilities don’t have ‘negative impacts on the province and the net income to the province,’” Sul said in an interview with CBC.
Despite the promises of a future strategy, the lack of updates has led to ongoing questions about the timeline and the criteria for issuing new licenses. With stakeholders still in discussion, the public remains in the dark as to when the pause will officially end, leaving many to wonder what impact this delay will have on Manitoba’s gaming industry.
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