The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has levied a $120,000 monetary penalty against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, following an investigation that uncovered a cheat-at-play scheme involving dealer collusion. The operation allegedly generated nearly $20,000 in illicit winnings over the course of a single week.
The penalty stems from an investigation led by the Ontario Provincial Police’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), which operates within the AGCO. In March 2024, five individuals were charged in connection with the case, including two casino table game dealers accused of collaborating with a group of patrons.
The AGCO’s compliance audit revealed a series of gameplay violations facilitated by the dealers, including:
- Exposing hidden cards
- Overdrawing cards for the dealer
- Overpaying on winning hands
The misconduct went undetected by pit supervisors and surveillance teams, and audit procedures at the affected tables were not properly executed, according to the regulator’s findings.
Notably, this marks the second known instance of alleged dealer collusion at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto in recent history, raising broader concerns about internal oversight and procedural enforcement.
In a statement, Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO Registrar and CEO, reaffirmed the Commission’s expectations:
“Ontario’s registered casino operators have an obligation to ensure the integrity of game play in their casinos. This includes a responsibility to detect and prevent collusion and cheating.”
Under Ontario law, operators who receive monetary penalties are entitled to appeal through the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent adjudicative body under Tribunals Ontario.
This enforcement action aligns with AGCO’s broader regulatory focus on integrity in gaming. In recent months, the regulator has taken decisive actions, including:
- Suspending wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) events in April 2024 due to concerns over potential match-fixing and insider betting
- Temporarily halting bets on UFC events in 2022, until new compliance controls and anti-insider wagering safeguards were introduced
The AGCO’s action underscores its commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in Ontario’s gaming sector, and sends a clear message to all licensees about the consequences of internal control failures. Operators are expected to maintain robust surveillance, strict adherence to gameplay procedures, and proactive risk detection systems to uphold public trust and compliance standards.
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