The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) in Ontario has fined two suppliers for having their games at unregulated websites. Both suppliers were allegedly providing regulated games to unregulated websites.
AGCO Fines For Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions
The AGCO has issued five-figure fines against Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions after both were allegedly providing regulated games to unlicensed sites. The AGCO has tightened the rules in Ontario and in accordance with regulatory compliance, suppliers need to ensure that their games are not made available at sites without an official license from a regulatory authority.
The fine were issued to Relax Gaming Limited, which is headquartered in Malta, and Indian-based Arrise Solutions Limited and both received fines of CA$40,000.
AGCO Targets Suppliers in Ontario with Games on Unregulated Websites
The AGCO is following countries around the world that are putting pressure on suppliers to ensure that their games are only listed at licensed operators. AGCO is now targeting suppliers to ensure that their games don't appear on unlicensed sites. Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and registrar of the AGCO stated that having regulated games appear on unregulated websites could lead to harm for players.
Dr. Schnarr said, "Ontario's regulated iGaming market is built on clear rules designed to protect players and hold companies accountable. Unregulated gaming sites operate outside that framework, meaning players have no assurance of fair games, timely withdrawals, or access to meaningful dispute resolutions."
Dr. Schnarr also said, "Unregulated gaming sites do not guarantee player protections or information security and increase the potential risk of harm to players and criminal activity, such as money-laundering and match-fixing. That is why the AGCO actively works to combat unlawful gaming in Ontario."
Monetary Fines are an Additional Compliance Tool
The AGCO penalties for Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions came as a result of an AGCO investigation that was part of the AGCO's efforts to disrupt unregulated gaming and its supply chains to safeguard Ontarians and maintain gaming integrity in the province. This is done by monitoring the market for regulated companies supplying unregulated websites.
Both companies promptly restricted access to their games after receiving their fine. The AGCO said that both companies cooperated with the investigation.
The list of regulated Ontario online casinos can be viewed on the iGO database. This list includes both suppliers and casino operators and is regularly updated as new operators receive licensing or operators leave the Ontario market.
We also monitor things and have a page dedicated to AGCO fines and penalties which is updated accordingly.
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