Retail Outlets in Ontario Forfeit Lottery Permits Following Probe by AGCO
In a bid to protect the public, particularly youth, from unregulated and illegal gambling activities, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has taken decisive action against unapproved gambling machines like Prime Slot in convenience stores and other retail locations across the Greater Toronto Area and the province.
The commission's regulatory framework mandates strict controls to safeguard vulnerable populations from such activities. The presence of unapproved machines in convenience stores, which are easily accessible to youth, has raised significant concerns prompting these enforcement actions to prevent underage gambling and gambling harm.
AGCO's CEO, Dr. Karin Schnarr, has made it clear that unapproved gambling machines have no place in locations accessible to children and youth. In line with this stance, the commission currently prohibits these machines in retail outlets.
Retailers who receive a Notice of Proposed Order have 15 days to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. However, the AGCO has already taken active steps to remove such unregulated machines by revoking lottery seller registrations of retailers found offering the Prime Slot machines, which have been deemed non-compliant with Ontario’s gaming regulations.
Prime Skill Games Inc., the manufacturer of Prime Slot machines, disputes that their devices are gambling machines, asserting instead that their games are skill-based and compliant with legal definitions. They claim their machines' outcomes are determined solely by player skill, not chance, and therefore should not be classified as unregulated gambling devices.
However, AGCO’s regulatory position currently reflects the opposite, treating such machines as unapproved gambling devices requiring removal. The commission considers these unregulated machines a threat to the integrity of Ontario's regulated gambling market.
This regulatory approach is consistent with Ontario’s broader responsible gambling framework, which includes training standards but no tolerance for unapproved electronic gambling in public retail spaces. The commission has reminded all operators to follow the Registrar's Standards for Gaming.
It's worth noting that the AGCO reserves the right to revoke or deny registrations if a business is not in alignment with the law or public interest. The commission also warned it would continue to enforce these rules to maintain consumer trust and protect vulnerable groups.
Unregulated gambling machines are becoming more common across North America. This regulatory crackdown by the AGCO is aimed at setting a precedent and ensuring the safety and well-being of Ontarians.
The regulatory crackdown on unapproved gambling machines like Prime Slot by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) reflects a growing concern for crime and justice, particularly in relation to gambling trends. This general news, that includes decisions on casino-gambling and casino-games, aims to protect vulnerable populations, including youth, from potential harm associated with illegal or unregulated lotteries. The Commission's strict control measures are part of a broader responsible gambling framework, which emphasizes the importance of following the Registrar's Standards for Gaming and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unapproved electronic gambling in public retail spaces.
