The Régie des alcohols, des courses et des jeux du Québec (RACJ) challenged a former Occupation Double candidate who had launched an allegedly non-compliant competition and whose prize was his Honda Civic.
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“My agent informed me of the situation, but I am currently in Asia, so I haven’t had time to read all of this,” confides Michael Fortin in an email sent to the Journal.
Watch each competition in the video below:
The 23-year-old Quebecer, represented by the Dulcedo agency, became known in September 2022 through his participation in the Occupation Double Martinique show. Last month, he announced to his 35,000 followers on Instagram and another 70,000 on TikTok that he was having his Honda Civic towed.
“The competition for my tank is currently taking place. So don’t miss your chance To. It’s 100% free and lasts 30 seconds,” the influencer mentions in one of his videos to increase his popularity on the web.
One of the photos posted on the influencer’s Instagram page to promote the giveaway. Photo from michaelfortin_’s Instagram account
Post deleted
Mr Fortin invested almost $10,000 to upgrade his black 2000s car before giving it away. He mainly changed car parts and improved the body, he says in a video that has been seen almost 450,000 times on TikTok.
Excerpt in which the influencer introduces the winner of his Honda Civic:
“First we had to clean it because it didn’t make sense,” explains the Quebecer in another sequence. There was food everywhere, trash and the benches were stained with brown sauce [restaurant] Saint-Hubert, because I was a delivery man before.”
The rules of his competition on Instagram were simple: subscribe to his social network and that of his company Hometa, like the publication of the competition, comment on it by tagging friends and share everything in the “Story”.
Michael Fortin’s contest rules before being deleted from his Instagram page. Photo from michaelfortin_’s Instagram account
The former OD candidate removed the rules for his draw following questions from Le Journal. Photo from michaelfortin_’s Instagram account
Note that the former OD candidate’s publication was partially deleted following the questions raised by Le Journal. All the rules for the draw have now disappeared.
Don’t comply
Contacted on the matter, the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux du Québec (RACJ) confirmed having sent a letter to Michael Fortin regarding the viral appeal.
“We have informed the organizer of the competition that, in accordance with current legislation, he must report it to the RACJ,” claims the spokesperson for the Régie, Me Joyce Tremblay.
On TikTok, the influencer’s video announcing his giveaway was viewed nearly 460,000 times. Screenshot from michaelfortin_’s Instagram account
The lawyer points out that for all commercial competitions with a value of more than 100 US dollars, including on social networks, fees must be paid to the Régie. By law, this amount is 10% of the value of a prize offered exclusively to participants from Quebec.
“There is no evidence in our records that this competition was announced,” assures Me Tremblay.
In another email, Michael Fortin confided to our representative that he had recently been very ill during a trip to Bali. “My goal is not to be non-compliant and that is why I will review this as soon as possible,” he concludes, without giving further details.
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