The Alcohol and Gaming Corporation of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a fine of $150,000 on PointsBet Canada for failing to adhere to the necessary standards.

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In a shocking development, PointsBet Canada, which runs its operations in the region, has faced a significant financial penalty from the AGCO for not fulfilling Ontario’s responsible gambling standards.PointsBet Ontario Sportsbook The incident involved a player who unfortunately lost over $500,000 in less than three months. The AGCO reported several breaches of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, including PointsBet Canada’s failure to take adequate action to help a player who might have been facing gambling difficulties.

The AGCO noted in a statement that the player was identified by the operator's systems on several occasions, yet no actions were taken by the site to intervene. Furthermore, the operator did not implement the mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period when the player decided to cancel their daily deposit limit.

Additionally, the AGCO claimed that the operator breached rules surrounding the communication of gambling promotions, bonuses, or credits through direct advertising without the recipient’s consent. In this instance, despite the player revoking their consent for marketing communications, they received a total of $35,000 in credits and multiple offers for complimentary tickets to sports events. AGCO statement on PointsBet A representative from PointsBet Canada commented, 'We acknowledge the recent claims made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Since this matter is still under legal review, we will refrain from commenting further.'

TheOntario sports betting These operators have been active since the regulated market was established in April 2022, and one of the advantages of having a law-abiding and regulated industry is the presence of consumer protections, which include measures for responsible gambling.

PointsBet Canada Reacts To Fine

If a registered operator receives a penalty from the AGCO, they have the option to appeal the fine to the License Appeal Tribunal, which operates independently from the AGCO.

PointsBet is one of manyOntario sportsbook apps The AGCO indicated that this situation highlighted the operator's failure to ensure its staff recognized the significance of responsible gambling and had the proper training to assist players experiencing gambling-related harm.

The AGCO is committed to enforcing responsible gambling protocols.

These protective measures exist for all users of online gambling platforms and mobile betting services within the province.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, the chief executive officer and registrar of the AGCO, stressed in a statement, 'In Ontario, iGaming operators are required to actively monitor their customers' gambling activities for indicators of high-risk behavior and take necessary actions to mitigate potential gambling harm. The AGCO will maintain its focus on safeguarding players by requiring all registered operators to comply with these rigorous standards.'

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Mark Keast
Mark Keast
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