The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has taken action against Apollo Entertainment Ltd. (Apollo) for failing to meet Ontario’s responsible gambling requirements. Apollo has been served with a Notice of Monetary Penalty amounting to $100,000. The penalty is a result of multiple alleged violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, specifically related to responsible gambling provisions.
The Alleged Violations
Apollo Entertainment Ltd. was found to have failed in several areas, including responsible gambling provisions set by the AGCO:
- Lack of Interventions: Apollo neglected to conduct necessary interventions with players who may be experiencing gambling-related harms. This includes a case where a player incurred losses exceeding $2 million in under four months without receiving any interventions from the gaming site operator during that period.
- Inadequate Self-Exclusion Program: Apollo failed to implement a sufficient voluntary self-exclusion program and did not provide players with adequate tools to set financial and time-based gambling limits, such as loss and deposit limits.
- Employee Understanding: Apollo did not ensure that its employees fully comprehended the importance of responsible gambling and were adequately trained to assist players who may be experiencing gambling-related harms.
Apollo’s Response
Upon being made aware of the regulatory findings, Apollo Entertainment Ltd. promptly responded and took significant measures to address the identified shortcomings. The company has proactively enhanced the control environment on its sites. By addressing the issues raised by AGCO, Apollo demonstrates its commitment to responsible gambling practices.
These actions reflect the company’s dedication to providing a safe and secure online gambling experience for players. Apollo’s responsiveness and efforts to rectify the identified issues highlight its commitment to meeting responsible gambling standards.
The AGCO’s Responsible Gambling Framework
The AGCO’s responsible gambling framework was developed through a comprehensive review of approaches taken in leading jurisdictions worldwide. Extensive consultations with Ontario’s responsible gambling community were also conducted. The Standards address various high-risk gambling issues, including prevention, awareness, early intervention, and support.
The Penalty
In accordance with AGCO Board Guidelines, the Registrar has imposed an Order of Monetary Penalty totaling $100,000 for these alleged infractions. It is important to note that a registered operator served with a Notice of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent adjudicative tribunal that operates separately from the AGCO as part of Tribunals Ontario.
The Right to Appeal
A registered operator served with a Notice of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO 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.
The AGCO’s Commitment to Responsible Gambling
Tom Mungham, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the AGCO, emphasized the commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair and responsible online gambling environment for Ontarians.
He stated, “The AGCO’s goal is to ensure Ontarians can enjoy online gambling on sites that operate fairly, responsibly, and provide important player protections. All registered operators have an obligation to proactively monitor patron play for signs of high-risk gambling and must take appropriate actions to intervene and reduce the potential for gambling-related harm.”
Safeguarding the Interests of Online Casino Players
The AGCO’s actions aim to safeguard the interests of online casino players by enforcing responsible gambling standards. The Standards for Internet Gaming address a wide range of high-risk gambling issues, including prevention, awareness, early intervention, and support.
Apollo Entertainment Ltd. has been served with a Notice of Monetary Penalty for its failure to meet Ontario’s responsible gambling requirements, including the lack of interventions for players experiencing gambling-related harms, inadequate self-exclusion measures, and insufficient tools for setting gambling limits.
