The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has levied a fine of CA$70,000 (approximately US$50,947) against Booming Games (Malta) Limited due to a breach involving an auto-play feature in some of their slot games. The issue, which affected Ontario players for several months, was discovered as a result of the AGCO's proactive compliance efforts.
Upon notification of the violation, the AGCO required the immediate disabling of the auto-play functionality in the games. This feature, allowing players to spin the reels continuously without any interaction, is explicitly forbidden under Ontario’s gaming design standards. The AGCO highlighted that such features heighten the risk of extended gambling and could potentially harm players by limiting their chances to pause and reassess their gaming experience.
The AGCO's investigation revealed that Booming Games had not adequately configured, tested, or monitored specific games before and after their launch in Ontario. The company violated the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, specifically:
– Providing slot games with an auto-play option (Requirement 2 of Standard 2.16).
– Neglecting to conduct ongoing monitoring and testing of gaming systems and supplies (Requirement 3 of Standard 4.09).
The fine falls under the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and reflects the AGCO's commitment to uphold rigorous standards in the provincial gaming market. Dr. Karin Schnarr, the AGCO’s CEO and registrar, underscored the importance of adhering to these standards, stating, “Ontario’s game design standards are fundamental player-protection measures built into the regulated iGaming market – they are not optional technical requirements. Registered suppliers must have effective controls in place to prevent prohibited features from reaching Ontario players. When those safeguards are not respected, the AGCO will take regulatory action.”
Ontario has established some of the toughest gaming design regulations in North America since the inception of its legal iGaming sector, which includes a ban on auto-play, requirements for minimum time intervals between spins, and restrictions on features that may misrepresent losses as wins. Data from the AGCO indicates that nearly 84% of players participate on regulated platforms. From April 2024 to March 2025, the gross gambling revenue (GGR) reached CA$3.20 billion, representing a 32% increase over the previous year.
Following a monetary penalty order, the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which operates independently within Tribunals Ontario, allows registered suppliers up to 15 days to request a hearing.
