DraftKings is the latest Ontario licensed operator to be fined recently by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. 릴게임 The gaming giant announced that it was fined C$100,000 by local regulators for violating the state’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Therefore, it became the third operator to receive a fine.
Ontario launched on April 4, 2022, so the interactive gaming and online sports betting market is somewhat new. The state is the first Canadian jurisdiction to privatize the sector, and is governed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which monitors cheating by the mayor and approves candidates who express interest in joining.
DraftKings was released slightly late in the market as the leading sportsbook officially debuted in the province on May 18, 2022. A month and a half later, AGCO announced that the company had violated the standard 2.05. The rules prohibit advertising of handouts, bonuses, or credits. The rule has exceptions when the advertisement is on the operator’s official website.
According to a statement from the regulator, Sportsbook violated the standard between May 19 and May 31, 2022, when it broadcasted several gambling handouts. They promoted increased the probability of hockey games during the NHL playoffs, which were broadcast on TV and social media channels. This resulted in the company receiving a 100,000 Canadian dollar fine notice.
Shortly after news of the fine broke, James Chisholm, senior director of corporate affairs at Sportsbook, also made a statement. He indicated that he was committed to complying with the regulations in all jurisdictions operated by DraftKings. He continued that after notifying him of the rule violation, the company took a sudden step to delete the ad.
Sportsbook now has the opportunity to appeal AGCO’s decision at the Licence Appeals Tribunal, a financial tribunal independent of the regulator. Tom Mengham, CEO and Registrar of AGCO, argued that the commission would continue to monitor all activities of its operators and hold them accountable for high levels of responsible gaming, player protection and integrity.
Prior to Draft Kings’ financial penalties, Bet MGM and Points Bet Canada were also fined by AGCO for failing to comply with the registrar’s standards for Internet gaming. In May, Bet MGM, a joint venture of MGM Resorts and Entain, was fined C$48,000 for violating Standard 2.04 and Standard 2.05. Operator fined one of them three separate tweets promoting the C$240 Launch Party.
Meanwhile, Points Bet Canada was fined C$30,000 for violating Standard 2.05. This is because the company put up posters that encourage free play on GO stations and GO trains.