The Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has imposed a C$80,000 fine on Toronto’s Woodbine Casino in response to allegations of cheating at play and collusion between dealers.
The Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau embedded within AGCO brought charges against 5 individuals earlier this year over allegations that an electronic craps dealer had colluded with these customers.
The AGCO’s regulatory branch conducted a review of compliance with the Game Control Act 1992. It found that the gaming establishment had not detected or taken appropriate action in relation to the scheme. The AGCO stated that this included:
- Internal financial reports and email indicating substantial losses and anomalies from the electronic craps over a period of six months were not acted on.
- When suspicious gambling activity occurs, table games supervisors are often absent.
- Video surveillance shows that the electronic craps games failed to adhere to required rules and procedures, and did not have effective supervision.
- The dealer was permitted to continue to deal electronic craps despite the fact that Casino Woodbine had previously given him seven procedural infractions for pushing dice inappropriately to customers before closing bets.
Multiple sections of the Act were found to be violated by the facility. It had fully cooperated in the regulatory review, and was committed to correcting deficiencies. Casino Woodbine can appeal.
The 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.”
The AGCO will continue to monitor Casino Woodbine to ensure they are implementing the controls necessary to detect and prevent casino cheating and dealer collusion.
The AGCO has banned the use athletes for igaming marketing and advertising in the province of Canada.
Affected by the new standards, registered Ontario operators are prohibited from using athletes, active or retired. This is except when they use them to promote responsible gambling.
This also prohibits the use celebrities, role-models, social media influencers and entertainers as well as cartoon figures and symbols “that would likely appeal to minors”.
Apollo Entertainment also received a notice for a monetary penalty of C$100,000. This was due to alleged failures in responsible gambling.
