Posted on: August 14, 2023, 08:35h.
Last updated on: August 14, 2023, 08:35h.
Ontario iGaming operator faces CA$100,000 fine for violating responsible gambling rules
Ontario-based iGaming operator, Apollo Entertainment Ltd, is facing a CA$100,000 (US$74,337) fine for failing to comply with responsible gambling regulations.
Apollo Entertainment, known for platforms like Captain Cooks, Golden Tiger, Grand Mondial, and Yukon Gold, was found to have violated multiple standards for internet gaming, according to an investigation conducted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Ontario’s iGaming market went live on April 4, 2022, following the end of the Ontario Lottery’s iGaming monopoly. This move allowed outside operators to enter the market, subject to a regulatory and licensing framework established in 2020.
It is important to note that Apollo Entertainment is not affiliated with Apollo Global Management, the private equity firm that acquired Great Canadian Gaming Entertainment in 2021.
Rules Violated
According to AGCO officials, Apollo’s iGaming websites have breached multiple regulatory requirements since their launch. Instances include the failure to assist players experiencing gambling-related harms and the absence of a comprehensive self-exclusion program and tools for setting gambling limits.
The AGCO’s goal is to ensure Ontarians can enjoy online gambling on sites that operate fairly, responsibly and provide important player protections. All registered operators have an obligation to proactively monitor patron play for signs of high-risk gambling, and must take appropriate actions to intervene and reduce the potential for gambling-related harm,” said Tom Mungham, CEO and registrar of the AGCO.
The AGCO has determined the fine amount based on its established guidelines.
Possible Appeal
Apollo Entertainment has the option to appeal the penalty to the License Appeal Tribunal, an independent adjudicative tribunal that operates under the AGCO and Tribunals Ontario. However, AGCO officials have noted that Apollo has cooperated and begun implementing measures to address the identified shortcomings.
Apollo has been responsive to the AGCO’s regulatory findings since being advised of these issues and has already taken significant steps to strengthen the control environment on its sites to address the shortcomings identified by the AGCO,” the AGCO statement read.
Apollo’s iGaming platforms now prominently feature a “Responsible Gaming Policy” that emphasizes the importance of responsible play and provides guidelines for safe gambling practices.