The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a $105,000 financial penalty to theScore in relation to alleged breaches of the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming.
The AGCO's review focused on a patron who reportedly wagered CA$2.5m and lost approximately CA$230,000 over an eight-month period. During this time, the player's activity included frequent, high-stakes play and signs of escalating losses.
The regulator noted that the patron made requests for bonuses and displayed behaviors identified as potential indicators of high-risk gambling. AGCO stated that theScore relied on self-reported information and did not conduct additional interventions during the period under review.
Ontario's online gambling framework, implemented in 2022, includes standards for monitoring player activity and providing employee training to identify and respond to high-risk behaviors.
The AGCO enforces these standards to ensure licensed operators comply with responsible gambling obligations.
TheScore may appeal the decision to the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent adjudicative body within Tribunals Ontario.
Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO CEO and Registrar, stated: "Player protections are a fundamental requirement for any gambling operator looking to conduct business in Ontario.
"When operators fail to uphold these critical safer gambling standards, they not only betray the trust of their players but also undermine the integrity of Ontario's regulated iGaming market."
The AGCO's standards require operators to maintain policies and procedures to identify and mitigate potential gambling-related harm
