Great Canadian Entertainment Fined Again by AGCO

Ontario’s gambling watchdog has struck again, penalizing one of the country’s biggest casino operators.

Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) has been hit with a CA$151,000 fine from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for allegedly allowing minors to access casino floors.

This marks the second AGCO fine against GCE in less than a month, raising questions about compliance and oversight in Canada’s booming gambling sector.

Let’s examine what went wrong, what this means for the industry, and how GCE plans to restore trust.

Great Canadian Entertainment Fined Again: AGCO Cracks Down on Underage Gambling

3 Key Points

• Great Canadian Entertainment received a CA$151,000 fine for failing to prevent minors from entering casinos.
• The incidents occurred at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Casino Ajax, and Pickering Casino Resort.
• This follows a CA$120,000 AGCO fine last month for failing to detect a cheating scheme.

AGCO Issues Second Major Fine in One Month

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) recently announced a CA$151,000 penalty against Great Canadian Entertainment.
The fine stems from four separate incidents where minors allegedly accessed casino floors, some engaging in gambling activities.

The breakdown:

• Two incidents at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto
• One at Casino Ajax
• One at Pickering Casino Resort

According to AGCO rules, anyone under 19 years old is strictly prohibited from entering gambling facilities in Ontario.

Regulatory Pressure Builds on Great Canadian

AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr emphasized the importance of operator responsibility:

“Ontario casino operators have an obligation to ensure minors are not able to access casino floors or activities such as slot machines or table games.”

She added that AGCO will continue to hold operators accountable to safeguard the public and maintain regulatory integrity.

Last month, AGCO slapped Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto with a CA$120,000 fine for failing to detect a cheat-at-play and dealer collusion scheme.

Great Canadian Responds: Corrective Action Underway

In response to the latest fine, Great Canadian Entertainment’s Executive Vice President Chuck Keeling stated:

“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of security and integrity across our 23 operations nationwide.
These incidents were self-reported, and we accept the AGCO’s determination.
We’ve taken corrective action and remain fully committed to meeting all regulatory requirements going forward.”

While the company has the right to appeal the fine to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, its public statements suggest a focus on internal reform over legal resistance.

Compliance Challenges and Industry Lessons

These back-to-back penalties highlight critical issues facing the Canadian casino sector:

• Ensuring robust age verification at all access points
• Providing employee training to detect underage individuals
• Maintaining surveillance systems to monitor gaming floors
• Establishing a culture of self-reporting and compliance to avoid regulatory breaches

Failure to meet these standards can result in financial penalties, reputational harm, and in extreme cases, license suspension or revocation.

The Bigger Picture: A Changing Regulatory Landscape

Canada’s gambling industry is under increased scrutiny as provinces modernize regulations and expand market access.
Ontario, in particular, has become a highly competitive market, with operators facing both commercial pressures and tight regulatory controls.

For operators like Great Canadian, maintaining compliance is no longer just about avoiding fines — it’s about protecting brand reputation and ensuring long-term success.

The CA$151,000 fine against Great Canadian Entertainment marks a critical moment in Ontario’s gaming oversight.
It sends a clear message that regulators will take swift action to protect consumers, especially vulnerable populations like minors.

While GCE has committed to corrective measures, the industry at large should treat this as a wake-up call.
In today’s tightly regulated environment, compliance isn’t optional — it’s a competitive advantage.

As Ontario’s gaming market continues to evolve, operators must prioritize player protection, staff training, and regulatory alignment to thrive in an increasingly demanding landscape.