The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the regulatory authority for gambling in the region, has been keeping a tight grip on irregularities lately. In recent events, it served a hefty CA$70,000 ($52,000) penalty to MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc., known for owning and operating the Fallsview Casino Resort situated in Niagara Falls. This action comes as a part of the AGCO’s ongoing intensified scrutiny of gambling operations. The Fallsview Casino Resort, however, has announced its intentions to contest the hefty fine, suggesting the possibility of more extensive scrutiny of this issue.
Details Regarding Questionable Patron Behavior
The AGCO, in their most recent press release, announced that the transgression took place in April 2023. A patron entered the Salon Privé, a designated high-stakes area within the Fallsview Casino Resort. The customer is said to have presented a casino attendant with a reusable grocery bag holding CA$80,000 ($60,000) in strapped CA$100 notes.
As observed on the surveillance tapes, after the money was checked and confirmed, the patron left the table and took casino chips but decided not to partake in any gambling activity immediately. Interestingly, the casino had previously marked this patron as a “high risk” individual. Despite this, the casino employees failed to take any immediate action in notifying the necessary officials or local police as per their standard operating procedures.
The AGCO pointed out that Fallsview Casino had not taken substantial steps to investigate the origin of the funds, a necessity under the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming’s anti-money laundering measures. The lax approach constitutes a significant violation of AML guidelines and safe gambling norms, which justifies the hefty CA$70,000 fine.
Casino Set to Make a Case Against Allegations
Reacting to the penalty, a representative from Fallsview Casino debated the charge, stating the organization’s dedication towards lawful conduct and adhering to policies. Licensed operators have the right to challenge such decisions and present their side of the story before the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), a body functioning independently from the AGCO under Tribunals Ontario.
“Fallsview Casino Resort is a company intent on unbiased practices and ethical responsibility. We will be appealing the decision and are eager to lay out our case.”
Statement from Fallsview Casino
This recent imposition of the CA$70,000 fine showcases the AGCO’s consistency in vigilance and resolve to provide secure and regulated gambling. Even high-profile operators like PointsBet have recently found themselves facing AGCO’s stringent rules. AGCO emphasized its ongoing communication with all operators to ensure they abide by its high standards.
The severity of the CA$70,000 fine, which is CA$10,000 less than the reported laundered sum, is an unambiguous indication of the regulatory authority’s firm stance on adhering to anti-money laundering regulations among gambling establishments within Ontario. Fallsview Casino’s intention to appeal is likely to uncover more details regarding the incident, shedding light on whether the casino has failed to uphold its AML obligations.
