Ontario regulator issues penalty against BetMGM Canada
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has issued a penalty related to third-party marketing activities.
Canada.- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada with a fine of $110,000 for violations of igaming rules in two separate incidents in 2024. It said that BetMGM engaged marketing companies that offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts.
The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers, and igaming operators in Ontario are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits. BetMGM Canada has the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
Karin Schnarr, chief executive officer and registrar at AGCO, said: “Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites are among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”
Last year, AGCO issued online casino and sportsbook operator NorthStar Gaming a $30,000 penalty for failing to ensure that its site, NorthStarBets.ca, was accessible only to players in Ontario.
