Strict regulations govern gambling activities in Ontario, Canada, under the vigilant watch of the province’s gambling authority, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The primary aim of these regulations is to shield consumers from the ill effects of excessive gambling and provide assistance and support to those adversely impacted by it.
Last Thursday, the AGCO’s Registrar levied a monetary penalty on the online gambling firm PointsBet. The operator has been fined CA$150,000 ($108,600) on charges of violating several responsible gambling provisions, which include allowing a single patron to wager a staggering amount exceeding CA$500,000 ($361,900) within a short span of three months.
Following the announcement of the monetary penalty, PointsBet now has the option to dispute the decision before the License Appeal Tribunal, which functions independently of the gambling regulator.
“In Ontario, iGaming operators are duty-bound to constantly monitor their players’ behaviour for any indication of high-risk gambling and are mandated to intervene in a manner that mitigates the potential for gambling related harms.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar at AGCO
Dr. Karin Schnarr, the CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, emphasized that licensed gambling firms in Ontario are expected to supervise their patrons’ activities to avoid excessive gambling. Their responsibilities also encompass intervening and reducing any gambling-related harm or risks. “The AGCO is committed to emphasizing player safety by ensuring that all registered operators conform to these stringent standards,” concluded Dr Schnarr.
Recently, the AGCO also imposed a CA$80,000 ($59,000) fine on Woodbine Casino, located in Toronto. In September, the authority revealed an investigation that discovered inadequate measures at the venue to prevent cheating and collusion between staff and visitors.
Details of the Alleged Violations by the Gambling Regulator
While describing the infringements, the AGCO stated that PointsBet did not fulfill its duty of intervening with an individual who was probably encountering gambling-related harm. The Commission highlighted that the player, identified as ‘high-risk’, was able to lose more than CA$500,000 ($361,900) in three months. Furthermore, the same client who continuously incurred considerable losses repeatedly cancelled withdrawal requests.
The AGCO continued to assert that PointsBet did not implement the obligatory 24-hour cooling-off period after the player revoked their deposit limit. The operator is also accused of carrying out direct marketing without obtaining the patron’s approval, through the offering of credits, bonuses, and incentives.
In view of the alleged shortcomings, the AGCO claimed that PointsBet neglected to provide proper training to its personnel on how to handle patrons likely to be facing gambling problems. The regulator asserted that the operator fell short in adequately educating its employees about the critical aspect of responsible gambling.
