The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has handed Casino Woodbine a penalty of CA$80,000 (PS47,293/EUR54,998/US$59,091) over a cheat-at-play and dealer collusion scheme.
Recently, allegations surfaced that a craps dealer in a casino located in Toronto was conspiring with a number of patrons. The Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau in April charged five people with the Casino Woodbine case.
AGCO’s Regulatory Compliance Branch conducted a review of compliance to determine if Casino Woodbine adhered to both the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and Registrar Standards for Gaming.
The casino was found to have failed to take action or detect the scheme despite having information available.
Ontario regulator flags Casino Woodbine failures
AGCO highlighted failures such as not acting effectively on internal financial reports or emails that indicated substantial and atypical loss from the electronic craps over a period of six months.
AGCO noted that supervisors of table games were frequently absent at the craps tables when suspicious gambling activity occurred. Video surveillance shows that the game did not follow rules and procedures, and was also lacking effective supervision.
The dealer, who was issued seven procedural infractions by Casino Woodbine for pushing dice inappropriately to customers before closing bets and causing them to lose, was also allowed to deal electronic craps.
AGCO stated that “Ontario’s gaming laws require casinos to implement effective controls in order to reduce the risk of criminal activities, such as cheating and collusion among patrons and staff.”
AGCO will continue to monitor Casino Woodbine to ensure they are implementing the controls necessary to detect and prevent casino cheating and dealer collusion.
Casino Woodbine has fully cooperated in the AGCO regulatory review, and is committed to correcting any deficiencies. The casino can appeal the ruling.
AGCO welcomes Schnarr to the AGCO team as its new Chief Executive Officer
Karin Schnarr was appointed AGCO’s new CEO and Registrar on 18 September. Schnarr will take over her new role on 18th September, replacing Tom Mungham whose departure was confirmed earlier in the year.
Mungham began his career with AGCO as director of licensing and registration in 2006. Mungham then became chief operating officer, before taking on CEO and registrar responsibilities in 2020.
Mungham was CEO of the Canadian province during his tenure. He oversaw several major initiatives. This included the creation and regulation of Ontario’s online gambling market which was launched in April, last year.
