Great Canadian Entertainment faces CA$120,000 penalty order in Ontario
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued C$120,000 (US$84,328) in monetary penalties to Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) for various failings over casino software.
According to the regulator, GCE used unauthorised gaming system software at a number of casino sites in Ontario. In total, AGCO flagged 40 instances where revoked or unapproved bill validator software was installed between February and March 2025.
Bill validators are common components within gaming machines that verify the authenticity and value of cash inserted into the terminal. They also form part of anti-money laundering controls within these machines.
AGCO said the use of unauthorised software was deemed a “serious compliance failure”. While it did not reveal the locations where the software had been installed, it did confirm GCE would be issued with a series of monetary penalties over the matter.
“Casino operators are responsible for ensuring that changes to gaming systems are properly reviewed, tested and authorised before implementation,” AGCO said. “Using unapproved software in a live casino environment is a serious compliance failure.”
Under Ontario law, any operators issued with an ‘Order of Monetary Penalty’ can appeal the decision within 15 days of the initial notice. Appeals can be filed with the Licence Appeal Tribunal, part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
Online and offline regulatory challenges for Ontario
Land-based gambling issues are just part of the regulatory remit of AGCO. In recent weeks and months, the regulator has also flagged concerns over the Canadian province’s online market.
In May, Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions were issued financial penalties after content from the iGaming suppliers appeared on unlicensed websites. Both companies were ordered to pay C$40,000, despite having taken “prompt” action to restrict access to the games in question.
Aside from regulatory action, authorities have been implementing new measures to better protect to players across Ontario. Last month, iGaming Ontario officially launched BetGuard, a centralised self-exclusion system for the entire regulated market in the province.
In April, legislators in Ontario drafted a bill prohibiting online gambling establishments and their business partners from conducting advertisements within the province. However, this was defeated on second reading in May.
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