The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has ordered $170,000 in monetary penalties against Great Canadian Entertainment for failing to identify suspicious activity, including potential money laundering indicators at Pickering Casino Resort.
An AGCO compliance audit identified multiple failures to assess and track high-risk patrons which were not subject to required enhanced scrutiny, as well as found that Suspicious Transaction Reports were not filed when patrons showed money laundering indicators.
"The AGCO requires casino operators to take a proactive approach to identifying and reporting suspicious activity,” AGCO Registrar and CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr said.
“When high-risk behaviour is not properly monitored or reported, it weakens important safeguards that protect the integrity of Ontario's gaming sector. The AGCO will continue to hold operators accountable to high standards of responsible operation."
Casino operators in Ontario are required to implement “effective measures” to identify and respond to suspicious activity and potential high-risk patrons.
According to the monetary penalties, Great Canadian failed to have mechanisms in place to reasonably identify and prevent unlawful activities at Pickering Casino Resort, including adequate risk-based assessments and procedures.
Great Canadian was also fined $120,000 by the AGCO 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 Ontario regulator 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.
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.
Great Canadian sold its River Rock Casino Resort property in British Columbia to PDG on 16 June, which acts as a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation and Musqueam Capital
