The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced that it has fined BV Gaming Limited (BetVictor) and Fitzdares Canada Limited a total of CA$30,000 (€20,762) for alleged breaches of internet gaming standards.
According to the AGCO release, an investigation revealed that both sports betting operators offered bets on Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games during the 2022-23 season.
Ontario iGaming rules and regulations clearly state that sports betting operators must not offer odds or accept wagers on minor league sports under any circumstances. This includes Canadian Hockey League’s three major junior hockey leagues. As a result of the breaches, each operator has been issued with a financial penalty of CA$15,000 (€10,383).
The operators are entitled to appeal the penalties through the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
Speaking of the penalties, Dave Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of the AGCO said:
“As the regulator of Ontario’s sports betting industry, the AGCO is resolved to maintain the integrity of sports betting which, in turn, may serve to protect the integrity of sport. This includes a clear prohibition on offering bets in Ontario on minor league sports, including Canadian major junior hockey. We will continue to carefully monitor Ontario’s sports betting markets to ensure the public interest is protected.”
This brings the total fines for 2023 to €62.8 million. According to research by USA-Casino.com, gambling industry fines in 2022 came to €251,712,034 / $269,532,490 – a significant increase of 443.9% compared to 2021’s total of €44,753,969 / $48,642,992
According to the AGCO release, an investigation revealed that both sports betting operators offered bets on Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games during the 2022-23 season.
Ontario iGaming rules and regulations clearly state that sports betting operators must not offer odds or accept wagers on minor league sports under any circumstances. This includes Canadian Hockey League’s three major junior hockey leagues. As a result of the breaches, each operator has been issued with a financial penalty of CA$15,000 (€10,383).
The operators are entitled to appeal the penalties through the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
Speaking of the penalties, Dave Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of the AGCO said:
“As the regulator of Ontario’s sports betting industry, the AGCO is resolved to maintain the integrity of sports betting which, in turn, may serve to protect the integrity of sport. This includes a clear prohibition on offering bets in Ontario on minor league sports, including Canadian major junior hockey. We will continue to carefully monitor Ontario’s sports betting markets to ensure the public interest is protected.”
This brings the total fines for 2023 to €62.8 million. According to research by USA-Casino.com, gambling industry fines in 2022 came to €251,712,034 / $269,532,490 – a significant increase of 443.9% compared to 2021’s total of €44,753,969 / $48,642,992
