The Ottawa, Canada Hard Rock Casino received a substantial penalty of $227,250 in Canadian currency (equivalent to roughly $173,850 USD) due to numerous infractions. They seemingly committed significant errors, violating 36 distinct gaming regulations.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) didn’t mince words, stating the establishment failed in crucial areas like anti-money laundering procedures and even went so far as to distribute promotional content to individuals who had opted out of their communications.
These concerns surfaced during a standard AGCO inspection at the Rideau Carleton Casino (the former name of the Hard Rock Casino, for those unfamiliar). It appears they also experienced difficulties with internal audits, essentially disregarding warnings from their own personnel. To compound matters, they failed to adequately safeguard their gaming platforms, leaving them susceptible to various security threats.
The AGCO expressed dissatisfaction with the casino’s insufficient employee training, particularly regarding critical aspects like anti-money laundering protocols.
Tom Mungham, the head of the AGCO, stressed their close monitoring of the Hard Rock Ottawa, emphasizing that casinos must adhere to regulations, operate ethically, and prioritize the public welfare.
Similar to any reputable gaming establishment, the Hard Rock Ottawa is contesting a determination made by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). They are escalating their grievance to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an autonomous entity responsible for adjudicating appeals against AGCO decisions.
This development follows a $100,000 penalty levied against DraftKings Canada earlier this month. The AGCO alleged that the company violated Ontario’s regulations concerning marketing and promotional activities, and it appears the Hard Rock may be facing a comparable predicament.
admin