AGCO Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling Machines in Toronto

Canada’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has revoked the lottery retailer registrations of several businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) after discovering they were operating unauthorized electronic gambling machines branded as Prime Slot. This comes after the regulator has stated on numerous occasions that it plans to tighten its grip on the gaming scene in an effort to decrease the influence and market share of illegal gambling.

AGCO Revokes Several Licenses

The machines, branded as Prime Slot, were installed in convenience stores and other locations. According to the AGCO, these devices function similarly to traditional slot machines, relying primarily on chance. However, manufacturers claimed they were games of skill and placed the terminals in venues such as convenience stores, where gambling machines are typically not permitted.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, chief executive officer and registrar of the AGCO, stated that unapproved gambling machines have no place in convenience stores or other locations, especially those accessible to children and youth. The AGCO also issued a reminder to all licensed land-based casino and charitable gaming facility operators that any promotion, bonus, or credit described as “free” must comply with the applicable regulatory standards.

Retailers who have received a Notice of Proposed Order to revoke their registration have the right to appeal the AGCO’s decision within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent adjudicative body under Tribunals Ontario.

AGCO Continues Fight Against Illegal Gambling

The AGCO has been proactively cracking down on operators and affiliates involved in promoting what it deems to be illegal gambling. It claimed it will continue to use all available powers to safeguard the public from the risks associated with these unregulated machines, especially when they are located in places that are easily accessible to children and youth.

The organization’s mission has been supported by other government actors, such as the Attorney General of Ontario, Doug Downey, who recently stated that illegal gambling in Ontario has to be removed. This follows a trend of an increasing number of people playing in regulated markets, as opposed to unregulated ones. A survey released a few months ago by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO) found that 83.7% of people in the province now gamble with regulated operators. It marks an increase from less than 30% prior to the provincial market’s re-regulation three years ago.