Published on: June 29, 2026, at 04:55h.

Updated on: June 29, 2026, at 04:55h.

• AGCO imposes a $120,000 fine on Great Canadian Entertainment for utilizing unauthorized bill validator software across four casino locations in Ontario.
• Regulatory authorities discovered 40 occurrences of unapproved gaming software utilized from February 20 to March 15, 2025.
• AGCO warns that unauthorized software undermines essential protections aimed at maintaining casino integrity and preventing money laundering.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has levied a fine of $120,000 against Great Canadian Entertainment for employing unapproved gaming software across four of its casino establishments in Ontario.

Use of Unauthorized Software

The AGCO’s investigation revealed that Great Canadian Entertainment, one of the top casino operators in the country, had deployed revoked or unapproved software related to bill validators on slot machines within their casinos. Inspectors recorded compliance failures on 40 distinct occasions between February 20 and March 15, 2025.

Bill validators are integral components in electronic gaming machines, designed to accept and validate cash. This technology is essential for implementing anti-money laundering measures by authenticating currency and maintaining accurate transaction logs for cash input.

“The AGCO mandates that casino operators safeguard the integrity of their gaming systems by ensuring all software is independently tested, validated, and functioning correctly,” noted Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the AGCO.

“Using unauthorized software in an active casino context bypasses key protections that uphold the trustworthiness of gaming and public confidence in the system.”

Compromised Integrity Measures

Great Canadian Entertainment manages 12 casino locations in Ontario, with one-third of these venues affected by the identified compliance issues.

This portfolio features some of the province’s highest revenue-generating casinos, as indicated by the latest municipal gaming revenue distribution data from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Municipalities hosting casinos receive quarterly payouts based on a graduated scale linked to slot machine revenues, as well as a portion of the table game and sportsbook revenues from casinos offering these options.

Right to Appeal

In the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2026, Casino Woodbine distributed over $4 million, and Casino Pickering distributed nearly $3.8 million, both properties owned by Great Canadian Entertainment.

“The AGCO remains committed to ensuring all casino operators comply with Ontario’s rigorous standards for gaming system integrity,” Schnarr added.

Operators served with an Order of Monetary Penalty have the right to appeal the Registrar’s decisions to the License Appeal Tribunal within a period of 15 days.

Casino.org attempted to contact Great Canadian Entertainment for further comment, but we have not received a response.