The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a CAD 54,000 fine to Casino Days, citing a deceptive bonus offer that exposed players to unnecessary risk.
Casino Days Misled Players with Unattainable Bonus Requirements
The AGCO launched an investigation after receiving a player complaint claiming that Casino Days withheld $8,500 in winnings. The probe revealed that the operator’s welcome bonus advertised up to CAD 2,000 in rewards—but came with extensive conditions that made it nearly unattainable.
To qualify, players were required to:
- Deposit CAD 2,000 of their own funds.
- Wager CAD 70,000—a staggering 35 times the deposit amount.
- Keep each wager at or below CAD 2.
- Complete all requirements within seven days.
AGCO’s analysis estimated that the average player would need to lose approximately CAD 3,640 in a single week to unlock the bonus. Additionally, critical terms of the offer were buried behind multiple links, making them difficult to access.
Violations of Ontario’s Gaming Regulations
Ontario law mandates that licensed operators clearly communicate bonus terms in a single click and avoid promotions that put players at risk of financial, social, or emotional harm. Because Casino Days failed to comply, the AGCO imposed a CAD 54,000 monetary penalty. The operator has the right to appeal the decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
AGCO Stresses Player Protection
AGCO CEO Karin Schnarr reinforced the regulator’s stance on consumer protection:
“Player protection is a non-negotiable priority. Operators must be truthful and transparent about their promotions. An offer that requires players to sustain substantial losses for a perceived benefit is not a fair offer. This penalty sends a clear signal—we will not hesitate to take action against those who fail their obligations to Ontario players.”
Broader Industry Developments
Elsewhere, the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has partnered with polling agency Ipsos to analyze the channelization rate in Alberta and British Columbia, aiming to assess legal gambling adoption in those provinces.
