Ontario
Learn about the duties of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario!
The gambling regulatory authority in Ontario is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario or AGCO. The AGCO regulates casino operations, slot machines parlors and online gaming that is operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The primary functions of the AGCO include:
- Monitoring and approving surveillance, security, operational and control systems for casinos, online casinos and slot machine facilities to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
- Approving, monitoring and testing lottery and gaming management systems as well as slot machines
- Monitoring and inspecting online casinos, land-based casinos and slot machine facilities to ensure compliance with the Gaming Control Act, licensing requirements and other regulations that have been enacted by the Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming.
- Approving the rules pertaining to play or changes to the rules of play for chance-based games managed and conducted by the OLG.
- Registering gaming assistants and suppliers
- Maintaining enforcement of operations while the casino is open to the public under the direction of the Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario also offers lotteries which are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario under the Gaming Control Act of 1992. The AGCO registers all vendors that sell commercial lottery tickets and those that offer services to the OLG in regards to lottery tickets. Those that have been registered in regards to lottery tickets must comply with all regulations set by the GCA and other requirements that are set by the Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming.
Some of these requirements include investigations conducted by the Registrar in regards to integrity, financial competence, and the character of applicants as well as other interested people. The Registrar can also revoke and suspend inspections, investigations and registrations by the AGCO to ensure compliance with all regulations.
