AGCO Takes Action Against Great Canadian Entertainment for Age Verification Lapses
Welcome to this week’s update, where we highlight significant developments in the gaming industry. Notably, AGCO has taken a firm stance against Great Canadian Entertainment for failing to verify the ages of its patrons, alongside other key events in the gaming world.
AGCO Imposes Fine on Great Canadian Entertainment
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a penalty on Great Canadian Entertainment amounting to CAD 151,000 (approximately USD 108,396). The operator’s failure to effectively enforce age restrictions allowed several minors access to gambling activities in various Toronto-area casinos.
AGCO’s investigation unveiled multiple incidents where minors were able to gamble on casino floors. Four separate instances were reported: two at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, one at Casino Ajax, and another at Pickering Casino Resort.
AGCO emphasized its commitment to maintaining robust standards for harm reduction and protecting vulnerable populations. They stated, “This enforcement action underscores our dedication to ensuring youth are safeguarded in gaming environments.” Great Canadian Entertainment retains the option to contest this ruling through the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
Dutch Regulator Warns Betca
In another regulatory action, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) in the Netherlands has issued a warning to Betca for displaying a gambling advertisement within the mobile game Tiny Tower. This was found in violation of local laws, which prohibit gambling ads in non-gaming contexts.
Betca attributed the incident to human error, asserting they acted swiftly to remove the ad, which was intended for an audience who had previously engaged with Circus.nl and claimed to be over 24 years old. While no further sanctions were executed, KSA has stated that they will keep Betca under scrutiny.
Bank of Ireland Introduces Voluntary Gambling Blocks
In a proactive move, the Bank of Ireland has rolled out an option for customers to impose voluntary blocks on their debit cards to prevent gambling transactions. This feature can be activated upon request and aims to restrict payments to gambling services, including online casinos and lotteries.
The bank has noted that a significant portion—90%—of gambling transactions occurred online in the first quarter of the year, with a staggering 99% financed by debit cards. Further expansions on this initiative to include credit card blocking are anticipated in the coming months.
Peter Norman Re-elected as ATG Chair
In Sweden, the AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) confirmed the re-election of Peter Norman as chairman during a recent general meeting. His continued leadership marks a significant moment, as this is the first time all board members have been nominated exclusively by the company’s owners, eliminating the Swedish state’s previous majority.
Norman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the board during this transitional phase, underscoring the unique nature of the current year in terms of governance structure.
Paf and Kimi Raikkonen Join Forces
Lastly, Finnish gaming operator Paf has announced a partnership with Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen. This collaboration aims to harness Raikkonen’s influence for various initiatives, particularly those focused on charitable efforts.
However, this partnership is contingent upon Paf obtaining a new license in the evolving Finnish market, with authorities planning to introduce a new licensing framework in 2027. Raikkonen, who clinched the Formula 1 World Championship title in 2007, is regarded as a national icon, and Paf’s management has expressed enthusiasm about his alignment with their brand values.
Stay tuned for more updates in the world of gaming and regulatory measures impacting the industry!