TORONTO, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In order to protect the public interest and ensure Ontario’s internet gaming (igaming) market operates responsibly and with integrity, the Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has served BV Gaming Limited and Fitzdares Canada Limited with Notices of Monetary Penalty totaling $30,000 for alleged infractions of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming (the Standards).
The operators are alleged to have offered numerous bets on Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games during the 2022-23 season. In doing so, the operators are alleged to have violated Standards that expressly prohibit offering bets on minor league sports, including the Canadian Hockey League’s three major junior hockey leagues.
A registered operator served by the AGCO with a Notice of Monetary Penalty has the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
QUOTES
“As the regulator of Ontario’s sports betting industry, the AGCO is resolved to maintain the integrity of sports betting which, in turn, may serve to protect the integrity of sport. This includes a clear prohibition on offering bets in Ontario on minor league sports, including Canadian major junior hockey. We will continue to carefully monitor Ontario’s sports betting markets to ensure the public interest is protected.”
Dave Phillips, Chief Operating Officer – AGCO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contrary to Standard 4.34, paragraph 15, BV Gaming Limited is alleged to have committed the following infraction:
The Registrant offered numerous bets on the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to players. Bets were offered on all three CHL leagues: Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. Based on the Registrar’s assessment of the particular circumstances, in accordance with AGCO Board Guidelines, the Registrant has been served an Order of Monetary Penalty totaling $15,000 for this alleged infraction.
Contrary to Standard 4.34, paragraph 15, Fitzdares Canada Limited is alleged to have committed the following infraction:
The Registrant offered numerous bets on the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to players. Bets were offered on all three CHL leagues: Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. Based on the Registrar’s assessment of the particular circumstances, in accordance with AGCO Board Guidelines, the Registrant has been served an Order of Monetary Penalty totaling $15,000 for this alleged infraction.
MEDIA CONTACT
AGCO Media
media@agco.ca
416-326-3202
ABOUT THE AGCO
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is an Ontario provincial regulatory agency reporting to the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). It is a corporation under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019.
The AGCO is responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horse racing and private cannabis retail sectors in Ontario in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.
