The Ontario gaming regulatory body, AGCO, levied a substantial financial penalty of $150,000 CAD (equivalent to roughly $108,600 USD) against PointsBet, a licensed internet gaming provider. This sanction stems from the company’s inability to adhere to Ontario’s regulations on responsible gaming practices.
The AGCO’s chief administrator emphasized several areas where PointsBet fell short, including an inability to furnish sufficient assistance to a gambler displaying indications of problematic gaming behavior, neglecting to implement a mandatory 24-hour “pause” interval after a gambler deactivated deposit restrictions, and disseminating promotional gaming content without securing appropriate authorization.
These activities, the AGCO stressed, exhibit a worrisome disregard for protocols intended to minimize gambling-associated harm. These protocols encompass critical elements like preventative measures, awareness campaigns, early intervention tactics, and comprehensive support mechanisms. The AGCO underscored its dedication to upholding global best practices and stringent standards to protect players.
This occurrence aligns with a trend of recent enforcement actions undertaken by the AGCO. In August 2023, Apollo Entertainment encountered a comparable penalty of $100,000 CAD for not fulfilling Ontario’s responsible gaming obligations. Apollo’s deficiencies included insufficient intervention for vulnerable players, inadequate execution of gambling limit instruments and self-exclusion initiatives, and a dearth of proper staff education on responsible gaming protocols.
Moreover, in April 2023, the AGCO imposed a $70,000 CAD fine on…
Three internet gaming firms – LeoVegas, Bunchberry Limited, and Mobile Incorporated Limited – received sanctions. The reason? It appears they failed to adequately verify the legitimacy of the slot games they provided. There’s a possibility some games were counterfeit or obtained from unauthorized vendors.
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