AGCO issues $120,000 fine to Toronto casino over dealer collusion
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a penalty totalling $120,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto after uncovering a dealer collusion and cheat-at-play scheme that reportedly led to nearly $20,000 in illegal winnings in less than one week.
In March 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), which operates within the AGCO, charged five individuals in . According to the regulator, two casino table games dealers were accused of working with a group of patrons to repeatedly break game rules.
Failures in detection and compliance
The AGCO’s compliance review revealed that the cheating methods included exposing hidden cards, overdrawing cards for the dealer, and overpaying patrons on winning hands. The review also found that surveillance and pit supervisory staff failed to detect the misconduct and that staff did not follow proper table audit procedures.
The AGCO stated that this marks the at the same casino.
Dr Karin Schnarr, AGCO Registrar and CEO, said: “Ontario’s registered casino operators have an obligation to ensure the integrity of game play in their casinos. This includes a responsibility to detect and prevent collusion and cheating. The AGCO will continue to monitor and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity of gaming in Ontario’s gaming sites.”
The casino has the right to appeal the penalty to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which operates independently of the AGCO.
Lately, the regulator has stepped up its enforcement actions with a broader focus on gaming integrity. Earlier last year in April, the AGCO suspended all bets on World Boxing Association (WBA) events due to ongoing concerns over match-fixing and insider betting. Similar actions were taken in 2022 when betting on UFC events was halted until new compliance measures were introduced.
