BetMGM, PointsBet fined for violating Ontario advertising rules

In a bid to protect Ontarians from harmful advertisements and inducements, the Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission for Ontario (AGCO) has fined two registered operators in the province for violating the guidelines concerning advertising and inducements.

BetMGM Canada and PointsBet Canada were fined CA$48,000 and $30,000 respectively for failing to comply with Standards 2.04 and 2.05. Following the debut of iGaming in Ontario on April 4, violations of rules were not expected so soon, but it didn’t take long for these sanctions in Ontario.

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These measures are put in place to protect the citizens of Ontario. The province regulatory body clearly states that any adverts directed towards inducements, bonuses and credit are restricted or prohibited. The only exemption to this standard is when such adverts are on the operators’ websites or in forms of directed advertising or marketing with the permission of the player (Standard 2.05).

Standard 2.04 requires that all adverts, marketing and promotions must be truthful, and must not intend to mislead players; it includes avoiding words like ‘the higher you stake, the higher your chances of winning’.

Tom Mungham, AGCO CEO and Registrar, stated: “The AGCO holds all registered operators to high standards of responsible gambling, player protection and game integrity, and monitors their activities to ensure they are meeting their obligations under Ontario’s Gaming Control Act and the Standards.”

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