Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) has been fined CA$120,000 (US$84,328) by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for utilizing unauthorized gaming system software across several Ontario casino websites. The AGCO reported that between February and March 2025, there were 40 incidents involving canceled or unverified account validation software installations.
Bill validators, commonly found in gaming machines, are essential for confirming the authenticity of cash inserted into terminals, as well as functioning as a control method in the fight against money laundering.
The AGCO emphasized that casino operators must ensure that any changes made to gaming systems are thoroughly reviewed, tested, and authorized before being implemented. They stated, "Using unapproved software in a live casino environment is a serious compliance failure."
According to Ontario law, operators who receive an ‘Order of Monetary Penalty’ have a 15-day window to appeal the order after receiving the notice. This appeal process is handled by the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which operates under Tribunals Ontario and is separate from the AGCO.
The AGCO’s regulatory concerns extend beyond land-based gambling, having also addressed emergent issues within Canada’s online market in recent weeks. Efforts to enhance player protections in Ontario include the recent launch of BetGuard, a self-exclusion program for regulated iGaming, by iGaming Ontario.
