Score Media and Gaming Inc. has been fined CAD $105,000 by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for allegedly violating the province's player safety and responsible gaming regulations.

 

Risky Play

AGCO concluded after a regulatory examination that a player on theScore platform wagered CAD $2.5 million and lost $230,000 over the course of eight months.  Approximately $100,000 was spent throughout the first month of play.  The player's actions demonstrated a risk of possible gambling-related harm, including frequent, high-stakes gaming and increasing losses.

The player constantly asked for incentives and displayed signals of concern to the operator's VIP host, according to a statement from AGCO.  All of these were chances for theScore to intervene on the player's behalf and lessen the likelihood of dangerous, risky play.

 

Indices of Anxiety

According to the AGCO, the Score did not carry out adequate due diligence or significant responsible gambling interventions.  The operator relied on the patron's self-assessments and was blind to warning signs, such as erroneous income paperwork.

“Player protections are a fundamental requirement for any gambling operator looking to conduct business in Ontario,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO. “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.”

If Score Media and Gaming Inc. so desires, it may file an appeal with the Licence Appeal Tribunal against the registrar's ruling.

 

Several Industry Penalties

Over the past year, the AGCO has imposed fines on a number of operators.  Last July, Casino Days was hit with a $54,000 punishment for allegedly offering high-risk and misleading bonuses.  In March, BetMGM was hit with a $110,000 fine for allegedly luring new gamblers with cash.  In November 2024, NorthStar Gaming was fined $30,000 for neglecting to make sure that only gamers in Ontario could access its website, NorthStarbets.ca.