Introduction
The actions are a reminder that operating in a regulated market comes with ongoing obligations, and that the AGCO is willing to penalize both operators and game suppliers that fall short.
The Three Cases
| Company | Issue | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Betty Gaming | Underage accounts | $120,000 |
| Booming Games | Auto-play features | $70,000 |
| NorthStar Gaming | Anti-money laundering | $80,000 settlement |
Betty Gaming: Underage Accounts
On August 6, the AGCO fined Betty Gaming $120,000 after 23 people under the age of 19 were able to open accounts. Ontario's legal gambling age is 19, and operators are required to verify the age and identity of every player before allowing them to gamble. Age verification is one of the most closely enforced rules in the province's regulated market.
Booming Games: Prohibited Auto-Play
On August 20, the AGCO fined game supplier Booming Games $70,000 over auto-play features in its slot games. Ontario's standards prohibit auto-play, which lets slots spin automatically without the player pressing a button each time. The rule is designed to keep players actively engaged with each bet and reduce the risk of fast, continuous play. The case is notable because it targeted a supplier, the company that creates the games, rather than a casino operator.
NorthStar Gaming: Anti-Money Laundering
NorthStar Gaming faced an initial monetary penalty of $100,000 over alleged failures related to anti-money laundering requirements. The matter was settled for $80,000. Ontario operators must monitor transactions, verify the source of funds where required and report suspicious activity under both provincial standards and federal anti-money laundering laws.
Why These Rules Matter to Players
Each of the three cases relates directly to protections that Ontario players rely on:
- Age verification: Keeps minors away from gambling and protects the integrity of the market.
- Game design rules: Bans on auto-play, along with limits on features that speed up play, help reduce the risk of harmful gambling.
- Anti-money laundering checks: These are why licensed operators ask for ID and sometimes proof of funds. They can feel inconvenient, but they keep criminal money out of regulated sites.
These protections are a major difference between regulated sites and unlicensed operators. Players using licensed Ontario sites also benefit from tools such as deposit limits, time-outs and the province's centralized self-exclusion program. We covered that program in iGaming Ontario Launches BetGuard Centralized Self-Exclusion.
A Maturing Regulator
Ontario's market is now more than four years old, with around 50 licensed operators and close to $10 billion in monthly wagers. As the market has grown, the AGCO's focus has shifted from launching the framework to monitoring compliance and enforcing standards. Earlier this year, a new responsible gaming advertising code also took effect across Canada, which we reported on in New Code for Responsible Gaming Advertising Takes Effect in Canada.
Fines in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars are small compared with the revenue of large operators, but public enforcement actions carry reputational weight and signal what the regulator considers a priority. Repeated or serious breaches can also put an operator's registration at risk.
What It Means for Alberta
The cases are also relevant to Alberta, which opened its own regulated market in July 2026. Many of the same operators and game suppliers now work in both provinces, and Alberta's regulator, the AGLC, has set its own standards for player protection and advertising. As Alberta's market matures, enforcement actions there are likely to follow a similar pattern.
How to Check a Site Is Licensed
Players in Ontario can confirm that a site is regulated by checking iGaming Ontario's list of authorized operators and looking for the iGaming Ontario logo on the site. For more on how regulation protects you, read our iGaming Ontario and AGCO guide and our Self-Exclusion and Player Protection page.
Sources
What to check next
- Check that the site is authorized for your location.
- Read the regulator’s findings rather than relying on a headline.
- Understand why identity checks and safer-play tools exist.