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AGCO wins International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR) Regulatory Excellence Award

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has been awarded the International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR) Regulatory Excellence Award for its work on developing and implementing the regulatory framework for Ontario’s new internet gaming (igaming) market that launched earlier this year.

The honour was announced October 19 at the IAGR’s Annual International Regulatory Awards Gala Awards Event, A Kickstart for Collaboration: Sparking Innovation in Regulatory Practice, in Melbourne, Australia.  This award is presented for “excellence in gaming policy and regulation recognizing an outstanding contribution and achievement by a regulator in advancing efficient and effective gambling policy and regulation”. Gaming regulation is a complex and distinctive discipline, and the awards aim to recognize teams who have made outstanding contributions and achievements in international gaming regulation. The AGCO played a key role as part of a large team led by the Ministries of the Attorney General and Finance to develop a strong, responsible internet gaming model to combat the illegal market.

“This award recognizes the exceptional skill, commitment and energy that was required from the AGCO team to launch a new regulated igaming market in Ontario, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement would not have been possible without our partners at the Ministry of the Attorney General, ” said Tom Mungham, Registrar and CEO of the AGCO. “Before the launch of the new competitive igaming market last April, residents of Ontario wagered significant amounts each year on igaming websites with limited consumer protection and responsible gambling measures. Many players who accessed these sites were not aware they were in fact unregulated. We are honoured to be recognized on the international stage for our efforts to serve the people of Ontario.”

“Congratulations to the team at the AGCO on their well-deserved award for regulatory excellence,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “My team was honoured to work with AGCO in developing a strong, responsible, competitive internet gaming model that effectively combats the illegal market, attracts investment and creates good jobs.”

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“On behalf of the panel of judges and the IAGR Board, congratulations to The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario,” says Jason Lane, IAGR President and award judge. “The scale and breadth of the regulatory reform coupled with the detailed evidence of enhanced delivery of the new licensing regime made AGCO’s nomination a standout.”

The AGCO’s igaming framework developed in Ontario is the first of its kind in Canada, meeting the unique legal obligation of the province to conduct and manage gaming, while creating a competitive market to bring private operators (and their players) into the regulated sphere.

Throughout the development of the regulatory framework for igaming, the AGCO closely engaged with a broad range of stakeholders – including policy, legal and communications teams with the Ontario government and experts from the responsible gambling, sports integrity, and anti-money laundering communities – to ensure that Ontario’s market is attractive and competitive while also establishing high standards for responsible gambling, player protection and game integrity. The result is a robust and balanced regulatory framework, evidenced by the number of operators and suppliers that have already entered the market or are currently in the application process, as well as feedback received by industry and consumers in the first few months since the market launched.

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Ellipse Entertainment Enters Geolocation Partnership with GeoLocs

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mkodo Limited (mkodo) is proud to announce that it has partnered with United Kingdom-based casino operator Ellipse Entertainment. Ellipse Entertainment has chosen mkodo’s advanced geolocation verification service, GeoLocs, to enhance its iGaming operations in Ontario, Canada.

Ellipse Entertainment has seamlessly integrated GeoLocs’ specialised iGaming geolocation platform into its High Flyer Casino brand. This integration will provide a safe, secure and fraud-free environment for its players across Ontario that meets and exceeds the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) regulations and requirements.

GeoLocs is a leading geolocation verification service, one of the largest in the Ontario region, specialising in North America’s regulated sports betting and iGaming markets. The platform was built specifically to support iGaming operators, ensuring they are operating in licenced jurisdictions and guaranteeing that they are providing responsible gaming to their customers.

Through this partnership, GeoLocs will bring its cutting-edge solution to Ellipse Entertainment’s High Flyer Casino brand, addressing unique challenges faced by iGaming operators through a swift and smooth integration process. Ellipse Entertainment will benefit from GeoLocs’ support in enhancing compliance strategies, optimising revenue opportunities and meeting regulatory standards. Additionally, users will experience a seamless journey, eliminating the need for additional downloads or companion apps.

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“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Ellipse Entertainment in Ontario introducing GeoLocs to enhance its iGaming operations,” the Managing Director for mkodo, Stuart Godfree, said. “Our partnership supports Ellipse Entertainment’s High Flyer Casino brand, ensuring a secure and seamless geolocation verification experience for players across Ontario.”

“GeoLocs has been the ideal solution for our geolocation verification needs in Ontario,” the Director for Ellipse Entertainment, Andy McDowall, said. “The platform’s advanced technology and expertise, tailored for iGaming operators, align perfectly with our commitment to responsible gaming. Teaming up with mkodo and its GeoLocs service allows Ellipse Entertainment to provide High Flyer Casino players with a compliant and enjoyable online gaming experience.”

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Red Rake Gaming Secures Ontario Gaming License

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Red Rake Gaming is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a gaming license for Ontario, marking a significant milestone for the company. The approval from the Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) allows Red Rake Gaming to provide its highly successful and player-centric content to the Ontario market. This achievement solidifies Red Rake Gaming’s commitment to expanding across the regulated landscape and North America following its recent approval from Pennsylvania.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Red Rake Gaming, which has been active in various states with its social casino offering for several years across the largest social casinos in the United States.

Red Rake Gaming will bring the top-performing game genres and mechanics from its extensive portfolio, including the globally successful Super 30 Stars, Secrets of the Temple, the Million Ways to Win genre, and many other engaging and interactive titles.

Nick Barr, Managing Director (Malta) for Red Rake Gaming, states: “We could not be more thrilled to have been approved for operating in Ontario and have already witnessed a significant demand from operators to integrate our content across the province. We are equally delighted to offer players who have enjoyed our social games over the years the ability to play with real money in Ontario. We are extremely confident about the U.S. market and the integral role it will play in Red Rake Gaming’s continued growth.”

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AGCO Issues Penalties to Fallsview Casino Operator for Anti-Money Laundering Violations

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The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty totaling $70,000 to MGE Niagara Entertainment Inc., the registered operator of Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls Ontario, for failing to meet requirements in place to minimize the risk of unlawful activity, including money laundering, at the gaming site.

In April 2023, a patron attended the Salon Privé at the Fallsview Casino Resort and presented $80,000 in strapped $100 bills from a reusable grocery bag. Surveillance showed that once the money was counted and confirmed, the patron left the table with casino chips without playing at that time. Despite having previously identified the player as “high risk,” the casino failed to notify the AGCO and on-site police of this transaction as required. The casino operator also failed to take any meaningful steps to ascertain and corroborate the patron’s source of funds, as is required by anti-money laundering rules set out in the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming.

The prevention of unlawful activities at Ontario’s gaming sites is a key priority for the AGCO. Casino operators have an important role to play and must take steps to effectively identify and prevent criminal activity from occurring on their gaming sites. Among the regulatory requirements casino operators must meet, the Registrar’s Standards for Gaming (the Standards) require operators to report suspicious behaviours and to validate a patron’s source of funds when presented with significant amounts of bulk cash.

The AGCO, along with the Ontario Provincial Police bureau attached to it, continue to focus on the safety and security of gaming in Ontario and actively monitor all Ontario gaming sites for compliance with the Standards.

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A registered gaming operator served with an Order of Monetary Penalty by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

“The AGCO is committed to protecting the public interest and public safety and remains vigilant in its efforts to guard against potential money laundering at Ontario’s gaming sites. Casino operators are important front-line partners in this effort and the AGCO holds all operators to rigorous standards when it comes to the prevention of unlawful activity,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of AGCO, said.

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