Ontario AGCO fines BetMGM for advertising violations

[Casinomeister]

Well that didn't take long :

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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.

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.

This is why I was adamant about not mentioning bonuses etc. here in some of these Ontario threads on Casinomeister. A headache that I really don't need.

And I wonder how many operators are second guessing their decision on getting a license in Ontario. I am figuring that we're going to see a number of operators bail from this jurisdiction. I know of one so far: VIP Casino.

 

[dionysus]

well, it's been a month and everything is new to everyone ON wise so ; I'd assume we'll come across rogue casinos and stellar casinos, same as in the UK, etc which, I'd imagine for most of us here in Ontario is why it's so important to us to learn as much as we can to determine who's been well...naughty and who's been nice so we have the best tools at hand when determining where to play

Lawd knows we see the UKCG handing out fines (15 million in March alone),
UKGC Doles Out Nearly £15M in Penalty Packages during the month of March - Casinomeister Forum
so I'd expect we'll see ACGO doling them out too as time passes

 

[bruinsdude]

I suspect it is par for the course with BetMGM, they are one of the big fish, and a 48K fine wont go far to change their habits.
It is similar to the penalties imposed on hockey players during the playoffs. Fining a millionaire 5k for attempted murder bounces right off of them.

 

[slotmaster]

The Leafs signed a partnership with points bet,lol Which I already knew was too soon but ya this was going to happen and yes some operators are pissed that they followed the rules and yet others can still operate without being fully registered.

 

[bamberfishcake]

You would think there would be a bedding-in period or a warning of sorts for such a new system.

I understand the need to be strict when it comes to advertising, but it was announced on the 3rd May, a day less than a month from the start.

Perhaps they needed to get some fines on the books for their first month of trading , umm regulating, or is it licencing, nope, nope..... operator agreement thingy business, thats the one

 

[dunover]

well, it's been a month and everything is new to everyone ON wise so ; I'd assume we'll come across rogue casinos and stellar casinos, same as in the UK, etc which, I'd imagine for most of us here in Ontario is why it's so important to us to learn as much as we can to determine who's been well...naughty and who's been nice so we have the best tools at hand when determining where to play

Lawd knows we see the UKCG handing out fines (15 million in March alone),
UKGC Doles Out Nearly £15M in Penalty Packages during the month of March - Casinomeister Forum
so I'd expect we'll see ACGO doling them out too as time passes

Yep - Ontario are lightweights, amateurs when it comes to doling out fines. We barely blink here if it's less than 7-figures, only make a note if it's 8+.

 

[lockinlove]

BETMGM strikes me as total dirt bags and always have

 

[Casinomeister]

Yep - Ontario are lightweights, amateurs when it comes to doling out fines. We barely blink here if it's less than 7-figures, only make a note if it's 8+.

Perhaps it's the polite Canadians doing the fining. "Sorry, but we're having to fine you. I hope you understand. Our apologies. Sorry again."

 

[dionysus]

Perhaps it's the polite Canadians doing the fining. "Sorry, but we're having to fine you. I hope you understand. Our apologies. Sorry again."

Generally, it would begin with 'sorry, but, if you don't mind, excuse me...' and finish with ...'sorry, and thanks, my apologies...'

 

[bruinsdude]

 

[BillyGoldblum]

Perhaps it's the polite Canadians doing the fining. "Sorry, but we're having to fine you. I hope you understand. Our apologies. Sorry again."

Just thought id let you know so maybe you can add this to your website somewhere.. Ontario players have no way to hold igaming casinos accountable and they are free to do as they want. I spoke to both igaming and AGCO and they advised me they wont handle complaints against the casino and the process is to deal with any issue with the casino itself.

Unibet ON allows you to deposit but you cant cashout as they only have 1 method that is some ewallet. NO banking option or anything. BETMGM took my money and told me they have chosen to do so for basically no reason. No im not kidding. They closed my account and blocked me for absolutely no reason at all and took my money. It was straight cash no bonus no nothing.

I complained to both AGCO and igaming and they told me there is no process in place for player complaints. So uh yeah.

 

[Casinomeister]

Then why even bother with this license? You'd think by now that the folks putting this all together would have done their research on how Kahnawake and the UKGC have dealt with all these scenerios over the years. I don't have too much optimism here. Looks like anouther batch of government employees who haven't a clue about the online gambler, their expectations and behaviours. Looks like another cyber trainwreck in the making.