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Great Canadian fined $120,000 for use of unauthorised gaming software

The AGCO described Great Canadian’s use of illegal software as a ‘serious compliance failure’ which attempted to bypass requirements ‘designed to protect the integrity of casino gaming.’

2 min read
Great Canadian fine
Key Points
The AGCO reviewed 40 instances in which revoked or unapproved bill validator software had been installed across four casino sites
Ontario’s Standards for Gaming require gaming equipment and software be tested and approved before being deployed in casinos

Great Canadian Entertainment has been fined $120,000 for using unauthorised gaming system software at four separate casino properties in Ontario, found to be installed between 20 February and 15 March 2025. 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) reviewed 40 instances in which revoked or unapproved bill validator software had been installed. Bill validators verify the authenticity and value of cash inserted into electronic gaming machines and help support anti-money laundering controls.

Ontario’s Standards for Gaming require gaming equipment and software be tested and approved before being deployed in casinos. 

“The AGCO requires casino operators to protect the integrity of their gaming systems by making sure they are independently tested, approved and operating as intended,” AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr said. 

“When unauthorized software is used in a live casino environment, it bypasses critical safeguards that are meant to uphold the integrity of gaming and the public’s confidence in the system. The AGCO will continue to hold all casino operators accountable for meeting Ontario’s high standards of gaming system integrity.”

Any casino operator served with an Order of Monetary Penalty can appeal the Registrar’s action within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, an adjudicative body which is independent of the AGCO.

The AGCO also issued $40,000 penalties to both Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions Limited after discovering games created by the entities on regulated platforms in May 2026. 

Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions are currently registered by the AGCO to create and supply slot and casino-style games for regulated iGaming platforms in the province. The Ontario regulator prohibits licenced suppliers from offering products to unregulated sites which can be made available to residents. 

According to the AGCO, both organisations “cooperated fully” with the investigation and took immediate action to restrict access to its games on unregulated sites.

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