Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) faces penalty or over a CA$120,000 (US$84,328) by The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for casino software fails.
According to the AGCO, Great Canadian Entertainment appears to be using unauthorized gaming system software on a number of Ontario casino websites. 40 cases of canceled or unverified account validation software being installed between February and March 2025.
Bill validators are frequently found in gaming machines and are responsible for verifying that cash inserted into terminals is authentic and valid. Additionally, these devices serve as an anti-money laundering method of control.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) stated:
Casino operators are responsible for ensuring that changes to gaming systems are properly reviewed, tested and authorised before implementation. Using unapproved software in a live casino environment is a serious compliance failure.
Under Ontario law, Operators issued an ‘Order of Monetary Penalty’ will have the opportunity to appeal their order within a 15-day time period from receiving the initial notice. The appeal process will take place through the Licence Appeal Tribunal which is part of the Tribunals Ontario and separate from AGCO.
The concern for land-based gambling problems is only part of AGCO’s role. The last couple of weeks and months have also indicated regulatory concerns about the online market for Canada.
In addition to providing regulatory responses to those issues, there have also been ongoing efforts to improve player protections in Ontario. For example, iGaming Ontario recently launched a province-wide self-exclusion program called BetGuard for all regulated iGaming.
