COURT RECORDS
WHERE IS THE
TILT SQUEEZE?
 


Illegal Gambling

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» Overview:

Michael has operated a number of raffles and lotteries where in return for monetary payments there's a chance to win prizes, such as a trip to the ranch.

All of these raffles/lotteries were illegal because they were held without the required licenses which is a violation of British Columbia's Gambling and Fundraising regulations.

Records disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information Request reveal detailed submissions by the public to the B.C. Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) led to an investigation. The GPEB subsequently identified these raffles as illegal and ordered Michael and Flying "L" Ranch to cease and desist all such schemes.

Here is the complete Freedom of Information Request #PSS-2024-42332 disclosure.

The disclosure is 139 pages long and the summaries below may assist to understand the records disclosed therein.

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» Summary of Freedom of Information Request #PSS-2024-42332:

The following request was made under the The British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the "Act") in respect to actions taken by British Columbia's Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General, Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), in respect to unlicensed gambling conducted on behalf of, or by, Flying "L" Ranch:

Records regarding the number of complaints received by GPEB related to Flying 'L' Ranch and/or its representative(s) conducting unlicensed gambling/gaming activities on behalf of of Flying 'L' Ranch; correspondence between GPEB and Flying 'L' Ranch and/or its representative(s) with specific regard to the investigation of the complaints of unlicensed gambling/gaming activities including, but not limited to: correspondence of inquiry from GPEB to Flying 'L' Ranch and/or its representative(s) and response to same, warnings/directives from GPEB to Flying 'L' Ranch and/or its representative(s) and response to same; GPEB’s final results and conclusions (if any) as a result of its investigation into the unlicensed gambling/gaming activities of Flying 'L' Ranch and/or its representative(s). (Date Range for Record Search: From 1/1/2024 To 10/6/2024).

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» Summary of Redactions:

Although the full disclosure is 139 pages the footer of each page shows the total number of pages to be 173. This is because some public records are available from the provincial government but at a fee and so were removed as part of the disclosure process.

For example the BC Registries and OnLine Services is where the registration records for Flying "L" Ranch Ltd may be accessed, and the BC Land Title & Survey Authority (LTSA) is where the registration records for land may be accesses, all for a fee.

In accordance with the Act additional redactions were made which have been itemized in the Summary of Redactions provided.

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» GPEB Incident Synopsis and Enforcement Actions:

Included in the disclosure is the GPEB's documentation of Gaming Enforcement Actions. It begins with the Incident Synopsis which reads:

Complaints were received regarding unlicensed raffles being conducted by the Flying L Ranch and specifically Michael LARES. The complainants detailed raffles being conducted that offered an opportunity to attend the guest ranch. Screenshots of raffle activity as well as PayPal information and other supporting information was provided.

This is followed by the summary of Gaming Enforcement Actions.

» Warning to Michael Lares & Flying "L" Ranch to Stop All Gambling Schemes:

The records disclosed include a written warning letter directing Michael and the Flying "L" Ranch to immediately stop operating illegal online or other gambling schemes or risk prosecution (pp27-28):

The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) has received complaints about raffle/ticket draws that you are running through your social media page. In each of these instances, you have been identified as the administrator of the group and/or the organizer of the game. These games and distinct types of draws are illegal in the Province of British Columbia and gambling in Canada is a regulated activity that must be licensed by the province in which it is conducted. It is important that you immediately stop any online gambling activities including bingo games, 50/50 draws, raffle/ticket prize draws, fundraisers with a draw or chance element, or any other gambling scheme and obtain the proper license(s) for any lottery scheme, bingo, or other game that you operate. The social media pages that you are operating these schemes from are being monitored and will be used in future prosecution should you not cease these activities immediately.
...
This letter is being sent to confirm the findings of our investigation. It also serves as a warning that should you choose to administer, organize, or otherwise operate any online bingos, 50/50, raffle, or ticket draw, or other gambling operation that contravenes the Gaming Control Act, these activities will be investigated with the view toward prosecution.

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» Concerns Raised by Complainants

The disclosure Included:

1) An email GEPB received from a complainant (dated July 2, 2024) with the subject line "Want to find out if this raffle is legal - I suspect is in violation of gaming regulations" which began:

I am concerned that Michael Lares of Flying "L" Ranch has recently conducted an raffle that was in violation of regulations and/or otherwise illegal (flyinglranch.ca).

Some documentation and details are found below.

The complainant's email contained detailed descriptions, screenshots, and various links including links to the video of July 1, 2024 Williams Lake Stampede drawing of the ticket of the raffle winner (Susan Barnes).

Of Michael's prolific social media posts we have been unable to find a single instance showing Susan Barnes as having received her prize of a trip to visit the ranch.

2) An email GEPB received from a complainant (dated August 2, 2024) expressing concerns about the lack of transparency in respect to donations:

What concerns me is that there is no transparency or accountability whatsoever. The public never knows how the monies raised were are used, if in fact they were used for the intended purpose, or other purposes, or how much money was raised. In addition to what is documented below, Mr. Lares solicits donations by PayPal GoFundMe, Patreon, by appeals to eTransfer funds directly to him (via his personal email address), and also by appeals for donors to purchase gift cards at Beaver Valley Feeds in Williams Lake and possibly at other retailers. Should anyone ask Mr. Lares for details he "blocks" their accounts (i.e. Instagram, etc), labels them "haters" and "trolls" and goes so far as to issue lawyer's letter threatening legal action "to the fullest extent possible". One of these generic legal letters is posted on his Instagram account for all to see, a copy of which is attached (20240216 - McQuarrie Instagram, Defamation Letter.pdf).

3) An email GEPB received from a complainant (dated August 12, 2024) stating Michael's social media post acknowledging the Gaming Enforcement action raised a number of concerns:

The clarification notifies ticket payees they may opt-in for the possibility of a full refund provided they contact Mr. Lares via Instagram Direct Message (DM), otherwise Mr. Lares will keep the raffle ticket payments. It is unclear whether the refund opt-in is applicable to payees of all three 2024 unlicensed raffles or restricted to the most recent and just cancelled one.

The clarification has limited visibility and availability. It is in the form of an Instagram story video and thus vanishes after 24 hours, as it now has having been posted around 2pm ET on August 8, 2024. The clarification notice is also in a virtually impossible to find Instagram video reel. I will explain further.
...
In other words, to received a refund a payee is required to take action to opt-in by request to Mr. Lares which will be subject to an undefined “verification and process” under Mr. Lares’ sole control. There are no accountability measures in place to assure refunds will be received.
...
It would be more fair and equitable for the default remedy to be Mr. Lares issuing a full refund unless the payee elects to inform Mr. Lares that they wish to opt-out of receiving a refund.

4) A 10-page PDF attachment with the August 12, 2024 email included seven (7) recommendations on how GPEB could pursue the matter.

In reply, as noted in the Gaming Enforcement Actions, GEPB;

... responded to the complainant thanking him for the further information and advising him several of his recommendations are beyond the scope of authority of the Gaming Enforcement Branch.

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