Ontario fines DraftKings CAD $100,000

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has fined DraftKings for violating advertising and inducement standards.

Canada.- The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has served Crown DK CAN Ltd – the parent company of which is DraftKings Inc – with an Order of Monetary Penalty totalling CAD $100,000. The penalty is for infractions of the registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming regarding advertising and inducements.

Ontario strictly prohibits broad public advertising of bonuses and other gambling inducements. However, the regulator found that contrary to Standard 2.05, between May 19 and May 31 Crown DK CAN Ltd posted or aired multiple broad gambling inducements that included boosted 2:1 odds. 

It said: “The Standards were put in place to protect Ontarians. They include clear restrictions on the advertising of inducements, bonuses or credits, except when they are on an operator’s site, or through direct advertising and marketing issued after receiving active player consent (Standard 2.05).”

AGCO CEO and registrar Tom Mungham said: “The AGCO will continue to monitor the activities of all registered operators and hold them to high standards of responsible gambling, player protection, and game integrity. It is in the public interest that we ensure they are meeting their obligations under Ontario’s Gaming Control Act and the Standards.”

DraftKings may appeal against the fine to Ontario’s Licence Appeal Tribunal. The online sportsbook said it moved quickly to remedy the situation.

BetMGM and PointsBet Canada have also received fines from the regulator. PointsBet Canada had to pay CAD$30,000 and BetMGM was issued a CAD$48,000 penalty for breaching standard 2.05. The Ontario igaming market launched in April. 

See also: DraftKings launches new igaming products in West Virginia