The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed another fine on the casino operator Great Canadian Entertainment, marking the second consecutive week for such a penalty. This time, a fine of CAD $170,000 was issued following an investigation into suspected money laundering at the Pickering Casino Resort.
Previously, on June 29, the AGCO had fined Great Canadian Entertainment CAD $120,000 for the use of unauthorized gaming software at four casinos in Ontario.
Audit Uncovers Shortcomings
The recent penalty was assigned due to the company’s “inadequate identification, assessment, and monitoring of high-risk patrons,” along with its failure to report suspicious activities, including signs of potential money laundering, at the Pickering Casino Resort, as per an AGCO announcement.
An audit conducted by the AGCO indicated that Great Canadian Entertainment lacked sufficient processes to recognize and monitor high-risk individuals at the casino and did not submit the necessary Suspicious Transaction Reports when patrons displayed possible money laundering signs.
“The AGCO expects casino operators to adopt a proactive approach to recognizing and reporting suspicious activities,” commented Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO. “Negligence in monitoring or reporting high-risk behaviors undermines critical safeguards important for preserving the integrity of Ontario’s gaming landscape. The AGCO remains committed to ensuring that operators adhere to stringent operational standards.”
Concerns Over Money Laundering
Casino operators served with an Order of Monetary Penalty can contest the ruling within 15 days by appealing to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, an independent adjudicative body from the AGCO.
In a response to the sanction, Chuck Keeling, Executive Vice President for External Relations and Business Development at Great Canadian Entertainment, stated to Casino.org:
“We acknowledge AGCO’s audit findings and recognize the necessity of a rigorous regulatory framework that upholds the highest gaming standards in Ontario. Complying with these standards will remain central to our operations moving forward.”
Appeal Process Options
Quarterly reports from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) highlight casino contributions to municipalities, offering insight into the land-based casinos’ financial performances within the province.
The OLG employs a specific formula to calculate the allocations returned to municipalities hosting casinos: 5.25% on the first $65 million of slot revenue, 3.0% on the subsequent $135 million, 2.5% on the next $300 million, 0.5% on revenue exceeding $500 million, 4.0% of table game revenue, and 4.0% of sportsbook revenue.
According to this formula, the Pickering Casino Resort is recognized as one of Ontario’s leading revenue-generating gaming establishments. It returned $3.38 million to the municipality in the fourth quarter (ending March 31, 2026), closely following Casino Woodbine ($4 million) and Niagara Falls ($3.56 million).