AGCO
AGCO issues monetary penalties to BetMGM Canada and PointsBet Canada for alleged advertising and inducement infractions
In order to protect the public interest and ensure Ontario’s igaming market operates responsibly and with integrity, the Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has served two AGCO-registered internet gaming operators with Notices of Monetary Penalty for alleged infractions of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming (the Standards), pertaining to advertising and inducements.
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). Standards also require that all operator marketing, advertising and promotions must be truthful, not mislead players or misrepresent products. This includes requiring that materials not imply that chances of winning increase the more one spends (Standard 2.04).
BetMGM Canada has been served Notice of Monetary Penalties totalling $48,000 for their alleged failure to comply with Standards 2.04 and 2.05.
PointsBet Canada has been served Notice of Monetary Penalties totalling $30,000 for their alleged failure to comply with Standard 2.05.
Ontario is one of the only jurisdictions in the world to prohibit broad public advertising of bonuses and other gambling inducements.
A registered operator served with Notice of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTES
“The AGCO holds all registered operators to high standards of responsible gambling, player protection and game integrity, and monitors their activities to ensure they are meeting their obligations under Ontario’s Gaming Control Act and the Standards.”
Tom Mungham, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contrary to Standard 2.05, BetMGM Canada posted the following alleged gambling inducements:
a) | A “$250K Launch Party” advertisement, including a contest offer where the first-place winner gets $100K in casino bonus. The post was initially tweeted on April 4, 2022, and later, tweeted again on April 11, 2022. | ||
b) | A “Bellagio” advertisement, including an offer of a $10 casino bonus in return for a $25 bet. The post was initially tweeted on April 4, 2022, and later, tweeted again on April 6, 2022, and on April 8, 2022. | ||
c) | A “Jimi Hendrix Free Spin Friday”, including a chance to win 100 free spins in return for following the registrant’s Twitter account. The post was initially tweeted on April 8, 2022, and later tweeted again on April 8, 2022. | ||
Contrary to Standard 2.04, BetMGM Canada posted the following: | |||
d) | A tweet stating that “the more money you put in per bet, the higher your chance is of winning”, tweeted on April 10, 2022. | ||
Contrary to Standard 2.05, PointsBet Canada advertised the following alleged gambling inducements: | |||
a) | During the period of April 4, 2022 to April 21, 2022, posters on GO trains and in multiple products with an inducement to play for free. | ||
b) | During the period of April 4, 2022 to April 17, 2022, posters at two GO train stations with an inducement to play for free. |
AGCO
Edict Egaming Secures Approval for Ontario Licence
Edict egaming has received approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to provide its games for the online casino market in the Canadian province. This applies to both the German edict egaming GmbH and Edict Malta Limited. From now on, the Merkur Group subsidiary will be able to offer its popular Merkur slots in one of the largest North American markets.
“We are delighted to have received AGCO approval for our Merkur games in Ontario. This is definitely a big step for edict and we are very excited to showcase ourselves to new audiences on the global stage in this dynamic market,” Dominic-Daniel Liénard, CEO of edict egaming GmbH, said.
The AGCO is working with the Government of Ontario and iGaming Ontario (iGO) to establish a new online gaming market that helps protect consumers gambling through private gaming companies. This license certifies that edict operates within the framework of strict laws and meets the requirements for responsible gaming.
AGCO
The Mill Adventure Secures Gaming-related Supplier License in Ontario
The Mill Adventure has announced that it has secured a gaming-related supplier license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
The Mill Adventure can now provide its full-service player account management (PAM) platform to licensed operators in Ontario. This achievement demonstrates the provider’s proactive approach to capturing opportunities in fast-evolving, regulated markets.
As one of North America’s most dynamic iGaming markets, Ontario offers substantial growth potential for innovative companies, providing unique avenues for exploring cutting-edge technologies, diverse player engagement strategies, and partnerships with leading operators.
“The dedication and ingenuity of our team, coupled with our stringent compliance standards, have propelled us to this significant milestone. We are eager to introduce our platform to local operators and revolutionize gaming experiences in this thriving region,” Bjørnar Heggernes, Commercial Director at The Mill Adventure, said.
The Mill Adventure platform, acclaimed for its operational efficiency and unique player engagement capabilities, merges sophisticated technology with inventive functionality — from SmartLobbies, its AI-powered casino management solution to Betpool, a feature designed to reimagine casino and sportsbook as social hubs. The platform features state-of-the-art tools, including a fully automated casino management system, in-house promotional tools, in-depth analytics, and robust security features for fraud and risk management, automated withdrawals, and Responsible Gaming — all designed to ensure relevance and excellence in a competitive market while being fully compliant.
Honored with the “Platform Innovation of the Year” title at SBC’s recent CasinoBeats Awards, the company continues to lead the way in ensuring seamless and secure gaming experiences and is poised to meet the high standards and expectations of Ontario’s operators and players.
In addition to Ontario, The Mill Adventure holds licenses in Germany, Sweden, Romania, and Malta, as well as platform certifications in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Georgia — regulatory recognitions that underscore the company’s reputation for exceptional compliance proficiency in the global iGaming industry.
AGCO
Swintt games approved for release in Ontario
In-demand software provider receives AGCO approval to operate in the regulated province, bringing full suite of games to Canadian players for the very first time
Swintt, the EGR award-winning software provider famed for its classically-themed Premium releases and state-of-the-art Select slots, has announced it has received permission to operate in Ontario, meaning its full suite of games will now available to AGCO-licensed platforms.
Having unveiled ambitious plans to expand into further regulated markets at the start of 2024, Swintt’s portfolio is now certified in eleven countries including Malta, Germany and the Netherlands, but this latest approval represents the company’s maiden entry into North America.
This means that not only will Ontarian players now be able to enjoy popular SwinttGames releases like the fan favourite slot Aloha Spirit XtraLockTM, but also newer upcoming games from Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt.
The product of Swintt’s acquisition of Elysium Studios earlier this year, the collaboration has resulted in a new line-up of releases being added to the software provider’s roster, with these games combing immersive themes and features with the very latest in slot design and graphics.
Tipsy Charms, the first game in the Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt line-up, has already launched to great effect – and with the Mesopotamian-themed adventure, Law of Gilgamesh, scheduled for May 30th, there’s plenty for Ontarian players to look forward to in the coming weeks.
With all this and more on the horizon for the province in the second half of 2024, everyone at Swintt is excited about entering the regulated Canadian market for the first time and the company has high hopes that the approval will further underline its credentials as a leading global provider.
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “Swintt is delighted to have received AGCO approval for its games in Ontario and we’re very excited to now have the chance to take this new and dynamic market by storm. Being certified to launch in Ontario is definitely a huge step for the company that will enable us to showcase our brand to new audiences on the global stage.”
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