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Published on October 16, 2024 • 3 minutes read
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TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued NorthStar Gaming (Ontario) Inc., a registered online gaming operator, an Order of Monetary Penalty totaling $30,000 for failing to ensure that their premises , NorthStarBets.ca, is only accessible to players in Ontario and other violations.
To protect the integrity and legitimacy of Ontario’s gaming industry, games on Ontario-registered gaming sites may only be offered within Ontario unless they are operated jointly with the government of another province. As part of the ongoing compliance monitoring of the gaming industry, AGCO identified an issue with NorthStarBets.ca during active, third-party audits it conducted of registered online gaming operators.
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As part of the test, tests were conducted from physical locations in Quebec and New York to determine if Ontario’s playgrounds are accessible outside of Ontario. During testing, NorthStarBets.ca failed to accurately identify one of the devices. AGCO also cites the operator for its repeated failure to provide the Registrant with the data, information and documents requested in a timely manner as required.
In addition to the penalty, AGCO continues to communicate with the user to ensure that the issues are dealt with appropriately. Failure to do so may result in further enforcement action.
Users who have been issued an Order of Monetary Penalty have the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an arbitral tribunal independent of AGCO and part of the Tribunals Ontario.
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“Ontario’s gaming industry is carefully regulated to ensure that it is conducted legally and in the public interest. AGCO will continue to take all appropriate steps to ensure that regulated playgrounds operate with integrity and within the province’s legal framework.”
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Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contrary to section 3.8 of the law Gaming Control Act, (GCA) NorthStar Gaming (Ontario) Inc. is alleged to have failed to comply with the following provisions of the Online Gaming Registrant Standards :
| 3.02 Games on gaming sites will only be offered within Ontario, unless operated jointly with the government of another province. (Also applies to Game related providers). | ||
| Requirements: | ||
| 1. | Operators must implement measures to detect and actively monitor the location of a player attempting to play the game and prevent unverified attempts to play the game. A player’s site inspection after the initial site inspection will occur at intervals determined by the Operator that minimizes the risk of playing outside of Ontario. Depending on the location of the player/device, longer or shorter times may be allowed. | |
| 2. | Users must implement methods to detect software, programs, virtualization and other programs that can avoid detection of players’ location. | |
| 1.01 There will be ethical commitment, integrity and high ethical standards demonstrated by attitude and actions. | ||
| Requirements include: | ||
| 2. | Matters identified in management letters from internal and external auditors and matters identified by the Registrar must be responded to in a timely manner. . | |
| .1.13 Subscribers must communicate with the Registrar in a transparent manner | ||
| Requirements include: | ||
| 3. | Make available any data, information and documents requested by the Registrar. | |
Media contact
AGCO Communications
[email protected]
About AGCO
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is the regulatory agency of the province of Ontario that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). It is a subsidiary of Liquor and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019.
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