TORONTO - Canadians are figuring out how to gain access to the latest video game craze -- even though it is not supposed to be available here yet.

They are gaining access to Pokemon Go with tech workarounds.

The smartphone game sends players into the real world to search for mythical digital pocket monsters known as Pokemon, who appear onscreen when users hold up their iPhones or Android devices in various locations at various times of the day.

But eager downloaders do so at their own risk, says Toronto-based Pokemon Go fan J-P Casino, who pointed to reports of malware embedded in unofficial Android downloads, as well as possible blowback from game developer Niantic.

The Pokemon franchise hit in the late 1990s, the goal being to find and capture the cartoon creatures, which can be upgraded and pitted against each other.

The game comes from Nintendo, the Pokemon Company and Niantic.