CanadianGamingBusiness

AGCO orders FanDuel to pay $350K for failing to detect suspicious wagers

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FanDuel is being ordered by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to pay a hefty penalty for the operator’s failure to detect and report suspicious betting activity.

On Thursday, the AGCO ordered FanDuel Canada to pay a $350,000 penalty following a probe that identified wagers placed in Ontario that indicated instances of match-fixing.

The probe centered around 144 wagers placed between October 2024 and November 2024 by three Ontario player accounts on Czech Table Tennis Star Series matches. The AGCO’s investigation found that FanDuel failed to take proper action, allowing the three player accounts to place suspicious wagers for several weeks. According to the AGCO, FanDuel did not meet its obligations to identify unusual and suspicious betting behavior.

“While we are disappointed with the decision made by the AGCO to issue this fine, we are unwavering in our commitment to working with them to identify areas of integrity concerns and protect sports from those who seek to undermine fair competition and the games we love,” said a FanDuel spokesperson in a statement to Canadian Gaming Business.

The AGO’s investigation into the suspicious wagering activity found that FanDuel should have detected and taken action against instances of synchronized wagering across the three player accounts that led to unusual shifts in betting lines on two specific athletes.

The AGCO’s reporting requirements for suspicious activity

The AGCO requires licensed operators to report all suspicious wagering activity to Independent Integrity Monitors that share the unusual behavior with other operators in the province, allowing them to monitor their own services to determine whether illicit wagering is also taking place on their platforms. The Independent Integrity Monitors also share suspicious betting activity reported by operators to leagues and governing bodies.

“In an era of heightened scrutiny on sports integrity, iGaming operators must be vigilant and proactive in detecting suspicious betting activity and taking appropriate steps to protect their patrons,” said AGCO CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr. “We will continue to hold all regulated operators accountable to these standards. Protecting fair play is essential to maintaining public trust.”

FanDuel believes it took the necessary reporting steps

FanDuel is taking a different tone compared to the AGCO by contending that it took the necessary steps in detecting and reporting the unusual betting behavior in Ontario. FanDuel pointed to its integrity monitoring system that it said properly detected the wagers.

“Our integrity monitoring program enabled us to be the only operator to proactively identify, investigate and report this suspicious activity to integrity monitors. FanDuel then proactively reported this activity to the AGCO,” continued the Flutter-owned operator.

The company also voiced its displeasure the AGCO’s decision to levy a monetary penalty.

“As an operator that prides itself on the trust we have built with our stakeholders, we do not feel that this action accurately reflects the commitment and investment we have consistently demonstrated regarding protecting the industry, our customers, and the integrity of sport,” added FanDuel. “We are also concerned it could discourage the industry from engaging in best efforts to identify, investigate, and report on irregular activity.”

FanDuel has the opportunity to appeal the AGCO’s monetary penalty. The operator can submit an appeal within 15 days to the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is independent of the AGCO. Entities that appeal monetary penalties typically receive a decision from the LAT within 40 days of appeal submission, with hearings on the matter also on the table.

FanDuel has not yet made a decision on whether it will appeal the AGCO’s penalty.

AGCO penalizes another licensed sports betting operator

The AGCO also recently levied a monetary penalty against theScore.

The commission imposed a $105,000 penalty for theScore failing to adhere to responsible gaming and player protection standards. An AGCO probe determined that theScore failed to detect potential gambling-related harm when a customer wagered $2.5 million with the operator, resulting in roughly $230,000 in losses over an eight-month period.

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iGaming Ontario prepares to launch ‘overdue’ self-exclusion system

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Ontario’s regulated commercial iGaming market has many player supports in place, but one thing it doesn’t have is a simple and effective way for gamblers to cut themselves off from all licensed operators. That will change in 2026, as iGaming Ontario (iGO) will finally launch its long-awaited centralized self-exclusion (CSE) system for players.

As we approach four years since Ontario’s market launched in April 2022, and as it swelled to around 50 operators running more than 80 iGaming sites, iGO President and CEO Joseph Hillier acknowledged that centralized self-exclusion has been a long time coming.

“I think there’s a recognition that we’re overdue for this system,”Hillier told Canadian Gaming Business in an interview.

After a long ramp-up period, it sounds like things are on track for the program to finally go live, four years later.

“I think we’re pretty confident that midway through next year, we’ll be in a position to do our public launch,” said Hillier.

80+ websites, one way to self-exclude

Ontario’s licensed operators are required by the market regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), to host their own self-exclusion programs, and that requirement will remain in place.

But the AGCO has also stipulated since 2022 that some form of CSE system must be developed, a tool to allow in-need Ontario players to cut off their access to all of their online gaming accounts with regulated operators without needing to do so manually on each sportsbook or online casino that they use. iGO also lists participation in a future centralized CSE as one of its requirements for operators, similar to its mandate that all companies must commit to completing the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check certification.

WhenHillier took up the new role at the province’s iGaming conduct-and-manage agency in August 2025, he inherited a self-exclusion development process that had already been underway for a year. Having put out a request for a CSE tool to be created, iGO selected a joint bid from sports betting integrity monitoring specialist Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and technology firm DataWorks, the company formerly known as IXUP that developed Australia’s BetStop system.

Centralized means everyone, no exception

While iGO only conducts and manages Ontario’s commercial iGaming operators, not the government-run Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) platform, the intention is for OLG to be included in the new CSE system along with all licensed online gambling sites.

“Ensuring all operators are participating in this program is critical,” Hillier told Canadian Gaming Business. “Ultimately, if we don’t have all the operators included, we don’t have a centralized self-exclusion program.”

The CEO added that iGO is cognizant of the fact that each operator has its own player protection protocols, its own technology plans and timelines, and its own thresholds for responsible gambling intervention action. He also noted that the large majority of licensed operators in Ontario operate in other jurisdictions too.

“The data situations of operators could differ very significantly from one to the other, so we’ve really tried to take that direct engagement and one-on-one approach to find what works and what doesn’t,” he said.

Ontario’s need for centralized self-exclusion, which is already operated in various forms by numerous U.S. states, has been so well recognized that Alberta is already planning to do the same. Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally wrote a requirement for CSE into his iGaming legislation that passed in May 2025. Ontario and Alberta connecting their respective systems is something that could be explored when the latter province is finally up and running.

AGCO outlines self-exclusion standards

In the meantime, the AGCO published new guidance on Dec. 18 to prepare for the launch, which it will flesh out in more detail when the CSE platform goes live.

Already, it has clarified some basic requirements, including:

iGO must clearly define term lengths for self-exclusion, and must include six-month, one-year, and five-month options

iGO, in tandem with operators, must effectively prevent self-excluding players from creating new accounts to bypass the system

iGO and operators must ensure that self-excluding gamblers are not hit with marketing material, promotions or other incentives to play

Operators must take steps to log out and block players immediately once they self-exclude, as well as cancel and refund outstanding wagers and refund balances

Operators must ensure that the CSE program is “well promoted” on their sites

Ultimately, for iGO, the AGCO, and all stakeholders, this is about safety and sustainability.

“This is really a big opportunity to help players to feel more supported in those most critical moments, where they can make informed choices and have tools at their fingertips,” Hillier concluded. “A key priority for us is obviously the safety and security of the confidentiality of the information from players. Plus, operators’ big priority is having a sustainable player base. If they don’t have that, it ultimately impacts their overall success. This piece is part of that sustainability story.

“The technology is robust, we’ve got great vendor partners, and I’m quite confident on the look and feel of it. It’s about making it ubiquitous and accessible, and I think that’s where you’re going to see the substantive impact.”

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RGC launches in-stadium and social media partnership with Ottawa Senators

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The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has dropped the puck on a new partnership with the Ottawa Senators that focuses on increasing awareness of and access to responsible gambling resources for hockey fans in Canada’s capital.

The Canadian independent non-profit organization’s prevention messaging is now featured during the NHL team’s home games via in-arena activations and digital signage at the Senators’ Canadian Tire Centre arena.

The RGC and the Sens are also running a social media campaign and contest across Ontario and Quebec. The council sponsors a “Great Saves” in-game feature at select home games, provides content through the team’s social media channels and offers promotional contests designed to engage fans while also sharing responsible gambling information.

Meeting sports fans where they’re at

The partnership runs through June 2027, with the option to extend.

“Sports and sports betting are increasingly connected in today’s entertainment landscape,” said RGC CEO Sarah McCarthy. “This partnership allows us to reach people when they’re getting in the game with their team, in those moments when emotions are running high and provide them with practical information about how to keep gambling safe and enjoyable.”

“The Ottawa Senators organization is excited to partner with the Responsible Gambling Council,” added the Senators’ VP of Corporate Partnerships, Martin Ballard. “This collaboration supports our commitment to fan wellbeing and aligns with our core values and beliefs.”

RGC signs up roster of sports partners

The RGC has worked with regulators, operators, treatment providers and other stakeholders for decades to promote safer gambling in Canada and beyond. Its work is rooted in evidence-based research and emphasizes prevention education and access to supports.

It has added the Senators to a group of sports partners that also includes Toronto sports ownership conglomerate Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts, as well as the NFL.

The RGC also recently struck a deal with the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) to develop a first-of-its-kind U.S. certification for responsible online gaming. ROGA’s eight members include bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, theScore owner PENN Entertainment and Bally’s, all of whom are operational in Ontario’s iGaming market. Its other two members, Fanatics Betting and Gaming and Hard Rock Digital, are exploring possibly expanding north of the border.

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Connor McDavid ads fuel uptick in use of BetMGM RG tools

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BetMGM has invested in making Canadian NHL phenom Connor McDavid one of its most visible ambassadors, and the iGaming operator unveiled its latest campaign with the Edmonton Oilers captain this week.

The online sports betting and online casino giant launched a new responsible gambling TV ad spot featuring the three-time NHL MVP alongside player-turned-actor Terry Ryan. The commercial is currently airing in the U.S. and Canada, as well as on various digital platforms.

The commercial titled “Mullet Over” was directed and produced by New York-based creative agency CAPE, in collaboration with BetMGM’s creative and responsible gambling teams.

McDavid’s star power reaps reward

BetMGM has worked with former NHL MVP McDavid since before Ontario’s regulated iGaming market opened in April 2022. When he signed on as an ambassador for the MGM Resorts International and Entain joint-venture operator, he was the first active player in a major U.S. professional league to endorse a regulated North American sportsbook.

BetMGM said the new commercial will build on the success of its 2024 responsible gambling ad with McDavid, which the operator said led to a notable increase in use of BetMGM’s responsible gambling tools.

Following that campaign, BetMGM reported a 38% year-over-year increase in Ontario players’ usage of deposit limits and a 55% jump in players in Ontario using stake limits.

Now, it’s hoping a new commercial will continue that impact.

“Filming the ‘Mullet Over’ commercial with Terry was a fun opportunity to combine hockey humour with a meaningful message,” said McDavid of the newly unveiled ad. “It’s important to stay in control, and BetMGM’s tools and resources help customers do just that.”

Ontario-facing ads must be RG-focused

BetMGM also counts the NHL’s ‘Great One’ Wayne Gretzky, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter and Hollywood stars Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm among its brand ambassadors.

Whereas BetMGM uses that roster of stars as brand-wide ambassadors across its numerous U.S. markets, even tying their names and likenesses to specific games in some instances, it has to take a narrower approach in Canada’s regulated iGaming province.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) regulations stipulate that celebrities including active or retired athletes cannot be used in advertising and marketing “except for the exclusive purpose of advocating for responsible gambling practices.” In August 2023, the AGCO announced it would ban the use of athletes in broader online gaming advertising and marketing in Ontario, a change that came into effect in February 2024.

Ontario also has a requirement that operators must spend a certain percentage of their annual gross gaming revenue on RG-specific messaging.

So, BetMGM’s stars, as well as other gaming ambassadors like BetVictor’s former Toronto Raptor Tracy McGrady, Betway’s French soccer icon Thierry Henry and Bet99‘s Canadian UFC legend Georges St-Pierre are used purely to talk about the responsible gambling tools offered by the companies they represent.

“Our new campaign with Connor and Terry builds upon our approach to deliver an entertaining and memorable responsible gambling message,” said BetMGM Director of Responsible Gambling Richard Taylor. “We’re committed to finding new and creative ways to reach customers and encourage them to ‘mull it over’ before they place a bet.”

Hockey hook-up could work well in Alberta

Meanwhile, as Alberta continues to inch slowly towards launching its own commercial iGaming market, BetMGM leaders know that the brand’s association with McDavid and Gretzky may stand it in good stead in the western province.

BetMGM VP of Canada Scott Woodgate told Canadian Gaming Business in mid-2024 that the company believes Alberta can become “a key omnichannel market” for the operator.

We’ve obviously gotten into business with a couple of guys from Alberta, so we see the appeal,” he added at the time. “It’s a dynamic province, it’s a good-sized market, there are strong incomes, a young and growing population, it’s a great hockey market. It checks a lot of boxes.”

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt added a few months ago that, with the company one of the top operators by market share in Ontario, it is primed for success in Alberta.

“Alberta is an area that should play to BetMGM’s strength given its operations in Ontario,” he noted on an April 2025 earnings call. “That should be a province where BetMGM really does flex its muscles, given the strength of our business in Ontario. So we’re really excited, really optimistic for Alberta.”

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IBIA and PFA Canada work to combat match-fixing in Canadian soccer

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The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Canada continue to work together to safeguard Canadian soccer from match-fixing and integrity concerns, with nearly 200 Canadian Premier League (CPL) players and staff completing integrity training in 2025.

IBIA and PFA Canada have completed the second year of their joint anti-match-fixing education program, part of an initiative funded by a $300,000, three-year investment from IBIA and its members – bet365, Betway and FanDuel. The overarching initiative provides Canadian athletes and sports organizations with access to free, in-person integrity education.

Players and staff across all eight CPL clubs completed integrity training this year, just as they did last year.

Real-world experiences
The key aim of the IBIA training is to equip athletes and coaches with the knowledge to identify, avoid and report betting-related integrity risks. The focus on in-person training creates the opportunity to share and discuss real-world experiences, says IBIA.

The ‘Protecting the Integrity of the Game’ player education program is built around three foundational pillars of rules, responsibility and reporting. Those 3Rs cover the key information every athlete should know about sports betting-related match-fixing. In addition to highlighting the potential threats from sports betting-related match-fixing, the program educated players on rules and sanctions, the scale and accuracy of technology-enabled sports integrity monitoring and how to report incidents.

“Preventing sports betting-related match-fixing starts with educating the athletes and coaches,” said IBIA CEO Khalid Ali. “Through collaborative campaigns, industry-funded initiatives and unique face-to-face training, IBIA is setting the global standard for athlete education on betting integrity, in line with our Mission 2030 strategy. Alongside regulation and monitoring, it is very important that player education is placed at the heart of a maturing Canadian sports betting integrity ecosystem.

“We’re pleased to see this program delivering real impact. Everyone benefits when sports are clean.”

Resources like IBIA’s work are ‘beyond integral’
“The IBIA sports integrity training was super informative for our players, providing essential information on the rules of sports betting, the consequences of being involved, and ways to report any illegal activity,” added Vancouver FC captain and six-year CPL veteran goalkeeper Callum Irving. “Resources like the IBIA are beyond integral to safeguarding our sport and locker rooms from sports betting-related match-fixing.”

IBIA is a not-for-profit association funded by operators committed to safeguarding betting integrity. Its Global Monitoring & Alert Platform (Global MAP) uses operator intelligence from 90+ members to identify and share alerts on suspicious betting across regulated online sports wagering markets worldwide. Its model enables intelligence sharing between operators, sports governing bodies, regulators and law enforcement to help prevent the manipulation of sports and betting markets through athlete education, policy guidance and by promoting integrity standards.

IBIA and PFA Canada will continue their joint work in 2026. IBIA Education Ambassador Jean-Francois Reymond said the association looks forward to partnering with additional Canadian sports organizations to help safeguard the integrity of Canadian sport.

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BCLC partners with GenWell to launch Human Connection Project

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The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has partnered with Canadian registered charity GenWell to launch its Human Connection Project.

BCLC’s Human Connection Project aims to foster stronger and healthier communities in the province through on-the-ground projects, community impact initiatives and partnerships.

GenWell provides education programming across Canada, and BCLC will work with the non-profit to amplify opportunities for human connection across its organization, including in its community initiatives and its employee programs. GenWell will provide resources including research gathering, resource development and project planning and activation.

“At BCLC, giving back to community has always been part of our DNA,” said BCLC President and CEO Pat Davis. “Since 1985, our net profits – more than $30 billion – have supported communities, provincial programs and services, local employment, charities and major events that have helped shape B.C.

“This year, we decided to use our presence in communities across B.C. to focus our social purpose, which is to generate win-wins for the greater good. We’re excited to work with GenWell to help BCLC and communities raise awareness of the importance of human connection and how we can embed it in the work we do.”

“Human connection isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’,” added GenWell Founder Pete Bombaci. “We know that meaningful social interactions can improve mental and physical health, strengthen communities and even boost resilience. That’s why we’re proud to work with BCLC, to help promote the importance of human connection across our communities and throughout day-to-day life.”

Partners to work on community projects and events
Together, BCLC and GenWell will co-create local projects and work to improve gathering spaces in communities in B.C., working colaboratively with the communities themselves.

Initiatives will include creating new games and experiences, building new partnerships, launching community events or shared spaces for great social outings.

While the project’s work will span the entire province, BCLC will celebrate the Human Connection Project’s launch in Kamloops, which has been the home of the lottery’s headquarters for 40 years.

BCLC is the presenting sponsor of Kamloops’ inaugural Christmas Market, which runs until Nov. 30. It has set up a Connection Corner for community interaction (pictured above), featuring some of its community partners including United Way, the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra and Western Canada Theatre.

The lottery is also running a Scratch & Win ticket promotion that gives players the chance to win a top prize of $10,000 for themselves and $10,000 for a registered B.C. charity of their choice. Earlier in 2025, BCLC collaborated with Vancouver Canucks owners Canucks Sports & Entertainment to host Nourish the Neighbourhood to provide meals for residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

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Bet99 launches new RG campaign with ex-UFC champion Georges St-Pierre

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Canadian sportsbook BET99 has launched its latest responsible gaming campaign with UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre.

The new commercial is a continuation of St-Pierre’s work as an RG ambassador for the sports betting and online casino operator, which began back in 2022. The TV, digital and social commercial features the Quebecer wearing traditional karate dress and highlighting BET99’s responsible gambling tools.

“Responsible gaming isn’t a tagline for us, it’s the core of what we do,” said BET99 CEO Jared Beber. “Players trust us with their time and entertainment, and that trust means creating an experience that’s always fun, safe, and in control. RG keeps betting where it belongs: enjoyable, balanced and pressure-free.

“We also know important messages stick better when they make you smile. Humour cuts through the noise, gets attention and helps people actually remember the tools and support available to them. And don’t worry, I promise we won’t have GSP show up at your house and break your TV. What will show up is a platform built around safety, transparency and real protections: limits, tools and a team that genuinely has your back.”

A proudly Canadian gaming operator, BET99 has worked with other athletes in the past with strong connections to the country, including Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and Toronto FC legend Sebastian Giovinco.

RG the name of the game for athlete use in Ontario
In Ontario, online gambling operators are free to sign up athletes and celebrities as brand ambassadors as long as they exclusively advertise responsible gambling initiatives.

Since February 2024, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s regulations mandate that active or retired athletes cannot be used in marketing, “except for the exclusive purpose of advocating for responsible gambling practices.” Ontario also has a requirement that operators must spend a certain percentage of their annual gross gaming revenue on RG-specific messaging.

Other iGaming brands licensed in Ontario have followed this playbook. BetMGM has high-profile partnerships with the likes of Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid and hockey’s “Great One” Wayne Gretzky, former Toronto Raptors player Tracy McGrady is British sportsbook BetVictor’s face in Ontario, and Super Group’s sportsbook Betway uses French former soccer star Thierry Henry for RG advertising in the province.

BET99 expanding in sports and casino
Sports is a big piece of BET99’s business in Ontario, and the operator has enhanced its sportsbook in recent times with some notable deals.

In September, it partnered with micro-betting specialists Kero Gaming to launch many more in-play betting markets. It also launched Genius Sports‘ BetVision feature, which allows users who place pre-game or in-play wagers on certain games to watch free live streams of the game in the BET99 app, as well as get real-time statistical and betting updates overlaid on the stream.

BET99 has also been building out its online casino offering in a regulated provincial market that is around 85% iCasino by wagering handle and operator revenue. It struck a deal with prominent content supplier Pragmatic Play in June to enhance its live casino selection, and subsequently added a range of online games from Cyprus-based studio Evoplay last week.

This week, BET99 surpassed 3,000 games on its Ontario casino platform, including slots, table games, live casino, instant win titles and exclusive BET99-branded titles.

“Sports may be the front door to BET99, but iCasino is where players spend the most time,” Beber told Canadian Gaming Business earlier this year. “We’ve learned that a compelling iCasino experience isn’t just about having the largest library of games; it’s about presentation, personalization and trust. Deep personalization is about building genuine relationships with players as much as delivering relevant content. It comes back to Canadian values: serving players with integrity, pride and transparency.”

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SBC Digital Player Protection: Shaping the future of RG

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Join SBC Media on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, as we present the latest iteration of SBC Digital Player Protection in partnership with 1xBet.

The global conversation on safer gambling will take centre stage during a full-day digital-only conference dedicated to advancing responsible gaming, regulatory cooperation and player wellbeing across the international betting and gaming landscape. The event will unite regulators, operators, legal experts, academics and thought leaders from around the world to explore how innovation, ethics and regulation can evolve together in the digital age.

Across six key sessions, attendees will gain insight into how technology, collaboration and transparency are shaping the future of responsible gambling.

Session and speakers
Are Stronger Regulations Giving Way to a Stronger Illegal Market?
As governments worldwide impose tighter controls, do stricter rules genuinely strengthen compliance or do they drive players to underground channels? Our panel will examine the unintended consequences of regulation and share strategies to balance compliance with market realities.

Speakers:

Pedro Romero (Betblocker)
Corrine Valletta (Betsson Group)
Andy Danson (Bird & Bird)
Rupert Ecker (Grand Casino Kursaal Ben AG)
David Da Silva (So Good Partners)
Justyna Grusza-Głębicka, PhD (Attorney at Law)

Selling the Dream: The Ethical Limits of Advertising
Advertising influences not only consumer choices but also cultural values and vulnerable audiences. This session explores truth, transparency and ethics in advertising, and asks how businesses can inspire without exploiting.

Speakers:

Richard Hayler (IBAS)
Tracy Parker (Responsible Gaming Council)
Savvas Iliopoulos (OPAP SA)
Richard Dennys (Game Lounge)
Simon Vincze (Casino Guru)
Jyoti Rhambai (Affiliate Leaders)

Monitoring Player Habits with Next-Gen Technology
AI and data are transforming safer gambling and next-generation tools are giving operators unprecedented insight into player behaviour. From AI analytics to real-time telemetry, this panel explores how technology can support engagement, personalization and protection — without crossing ethical or privacy boundaries.

Speakers

Nicole Garret (Allwyn)
Eduards Jakubovs (Betsson Group)
Dr. Alexandra Koerner (Grand Casino Baden AG)
Bernardo Changas (Lisbon School of Economics and Management)
Thomas Fearns (Midnite)
Steve Hoare (Player Protection Hub)

Influencers and Gambling Advertising: Finding the Balance
Influencer marketing has changed the rules of engagement, but where should regulators draw the line? This session explores global approaches to influencer advertising, challenges in safeguarding vulnerable audiences and what the future holds in the digital age.

Speakers:

James Kilsby (VIXIO)
Dr. Maris Catania (LeoVegas)
Martin Lycka (iGaming Expert)
Anders Dorph (Danish Gambling Authority)
Tom Simcock (VIXIO)

Strengthening the Crucial Relationship Between Operators and Regulators
Despite shared goals, operators and regulators often find themselves at odds. Drawing on new research by SBC Media and 1xBet, this panel explores the reality of these relationships, the stumbling blocks, and how both sides can evolve their cooperation for clearer, safer outcomes.

Speakers:

Simon Westbury (1xBet)
Steve Hoare (Player Protection Hub)

Responsible Gambling Reinvented: Protect Players and Margins Together
The next era of responsible gambling will be defined by how well operators can see the whole player, not just isolated signals at onboarding or deposits.

This session explores how leading operators are bridging the gap between fraud prevention and responsible gambling, using AI-driven identity and behavioural intelligence to detect nuanced risk before it becomes a regulatory issue, a brand problem or a drain on net gaming revenue.

Speakers:

Stephanie Trinh (Sift)
Alexander Hall (Sift)
Miguel Luis (LeBull)
Andrea Carvalho (Entain)
Steve Hoare (Player Protection Hub)

Join the discussion. Shape the future. Protect the player. Be part of the global movement redefining responsibility in gaming.

Register for SBC Digital: Player Protection 2025

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Great Canadian casino rated second-best in world by RGC

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Great Canadian Entertainment’s Elements Casino Surrey has been ranked No. 1 in Canada and second internationally by the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check accreditation program for its approach to responsible gambling.

The RGC describes RG Check as the most comprehensive responsible gambling accreditation program in the world. Developed by the council in consultation with policymakers, gambling providers, players and people who have experienced gambling harm, the certification evaluates land-based gambling venues and iGaming operators on their responsible gambling practices.

RG Check assesses gaming facilities on a set of best-practice criteria, including player safeguards, staff training, self-exclusion options, advertising standards and continuous improvement practices. Operators must achieve 50% in each standard area and 70% overall to be accredited. The RGC says it aims not only to attest to gambling operators’ existing efforts but also to help them determine the actions they need to take to improve.

In all, 10 Great Canadian casinos achieved reaccreditation in October, the coast-to-coast land-based operator announced:

Great Canadian Casino Vancouver, Chances Maple Ridge, Elements Casino Surrey and River Rock Casino Resort in B.C.
Elements Casino Brantford, Casino Ajax, Elements Casino Mohawk and Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel in Ontario
Casino Nova Scotia Halifax and Casino Nova Scotia Sydney in Nova Scotia

“Receiving RG Check reaccreditation at 10 of our properties in October is a tremendous milestone,” said Great Canadian Entertainment Social Responsibility and Sustainability Manager Keno Maseli. “Responsible gambling is at the heart of our operations, and this recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to ensuring our guests can enjoy safe, fun and sustainable experiences.

“This achievement is also a testament to the work of our team members, the Responsible Gambling Council and our Crown partners in setting the high standards of excellence in player protection across our entire portfolio.”

The RGC did not confirm to Canadian Gaming Business which casino took the top spot globally, as sharing scores is at the discretion of operators.

RG Check baked into Ontario iGaming requirements
RG Check accreditation lasts for three years before the recipients must go through the process again to re-earn the certification. Several of the Great Canadian’s other casinos currently enrolled in the RG Check program will undergo the reaccreditation process later this year and in 2026 as part of their annual assessment cycle.

The RGC first introduced RG Check in the 2010s and expanded it from land-based casinos to iGaming platforms when Ontario opened Canada’s first regulated iGaming market in 2022.

In March 2022, before Ontario opened its doors, a commitment to achieve RG Check accreditation was embedded into iGaming Ontario’s requirements for all operators seeking to enter the market. Some iGaming operators went through the process in advance of entering the market, while others such as Caesars earned it after starting to do online business in the province.

The RGC said last year that in 2024, it accredited more operators than ever before, handing out at least 44 new accreditations. The council’s Senior Vice President of Accreditation, Advisory and Insights Tracy Parker told Canadian Gaming Business earlier this year that the more it accredits operators, the more it learns.

“As we’ve been processing all of those operators, we’ve been learning a lot and doing some work on an update to the accreditation program to make sure it’s keeping up,” she said. “We’ve done stakeholder expert interviews, player surveys, public consultations, research and reviews, all with the aim of pulling together the evidence base that exists to make sure that the standards that we’re assessing operators against are meaningful and relevant and robust.”

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theScore fined $105K by the AGCO over player protection failures

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PENN Entertainment’s Canadian gaming brand theScore is being penalized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

The AGCO levied a $105,000 monetary penalty against theScore for failing to adhere to responsible gaming and player protection standards. According to a regulatory review by the AGCO, theScore allegedly violated the Registrar’s Standard for Internet Gaming, which mandates player protection support and the monitoring of player behavior across Ontario.

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

The regulatory review found that theScore failed to identify potential gambling-related harm when a customer wagered $2.5 million with the operator, resulting in approximately $230,000 in losses. The customer incurred the losses over an eight-month period, which included approximately $100,000 in losses during the first month of using the platform during that period.

The customer’s behavior when interacting with theScore and its personnel also raised concerns. The regulatory review found that the unnamed customer displayed troubling signs of distress to a theScore VIP host and requested bonuses at an alarming rate.

Inaccurate income documentation was also submitted to theScore by the customer.

The customer also exhibited “loss-chasing” behavior, with theScore failing to address the issue. The AGCO believes theScore “missed opportunities” to intervene.

The AGCO allows registered operators to appeal a monetary penalty. The appeal is filed with the License Appeal Tribunal, a group that assesses disputes in licensing sectors.

Canadian Gaming Business reached out to theScore but has yet to receive a response.

Recent layoffs for theScore
The Toronto-based company is being penalized by the AGCO after laying off more than 75 employees earlier this year. The brand laid off content and sales staff, with roughly half of its editorial newsroom dissolved. PENN Interactive also had a round of layoffs in 2024.

The job cuts impacted workers at its U.S. online sports betting brand, ESPN Bet.

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