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Read Full BioThe Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) updated its standards for responsible gambling training on July 11.
The main change sees the removal of Registrar approval for responsible gambling training programs. However, as stated in a press release from the AGCO, “Training must still be mandatory, regularly updated, and based on best practices.”
The AGCO goes on to state that, “This change reduces red tape, encourages innovation, and maintains Ontario’s high standards for player protection.”
“This also aligns with AGCO’s outcomes-based regulatory approach and brings greater consistency across gaming sectors, including iGaming.”
The intention is that operators can update their training programs quickly, without the need to wait for approval.
AGCO Responsible Gambling Standards
Although operators will no longer need approval for responsible gambling training programs, they will still be held to the AGCO’s high standards to protect players.
The standards state that “All employees who interact with players shall receive mandatory training, which is refreshed regularly to include current best practice research and employee feedback.”
A new section added this month says that: “Support shall be provided to persons showing signs of potentially problematic gambling behavior, including providing players with easily accessible contact information of at least one organization dedicated to treating and assisting problem gamblers.”
In April this year, the AGCO also provided new guidance for companies to monitor player behaviour and identify those who may be at risk of problem gambling.
Staff should be trained to recognise the signs of problem gambling and offer timely support once signs of risk emerge.
Operators Face Fines For Not Protecting Players
The AGCO issued a fine to Casino Days last month for failing to protect players. The company was accused of using a deceptive bonus to encourage players to incur substantial losses and was fined CA$54,000 ($48,000).
Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, emphasized the regulator’s focus on player protection, commenting: “Player protection is a non-negotiable priority for the AGCO.”
“We expect operators to be truthful and transparent about their promotions, and we also require them to ensure that those promotions do not encourage reckless or harmful patterns of play.”
Ontario iGaming Seeing Rapid Growth
Ontario’s online gaming revenue has experienced rapid growth since the province regulated iGaming in 2021.
In its first year of operations, gross gaming revenue (GGR) was CA$1.26 billion ($920 million), which grew to CA$2.20 billion ($1.61 billion), and subsequently, CA$3.20 billion ($2.34 billion).
This year, the industry continues to thrive. In April, GGR was CA$313.5 million ($228.4 million), a 25.3% increase from April 2024.
May saw a new record in GGR at CA$338 million, surpassing the previous high in January by 2.9%. This was a 40.3% increase from May 2024.
With online casinos accounting for around 78% of GGR, responsible gambling training to recognize when players are exceeding their limits is essential.
The AGCO hopes the removal of the need to approve training program changes will lead to companies introducing measures that protect players during this period of rapid growth.
