Unibet, a platform for online gambling and part of the Kindred Group, was fined $37,128 (CA$48,000) by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for violating Ontario’s rules on advertising and inducements.
The penalty is for "alleged infractions" of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
It's said that Unibet violated Standard 2.05, which prohibits marketing materials that “communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits,” except on an operator’s website or after a player has given consent, through direct advertising.
Unibet broke this standard by posting or airing multiple “broad gambling inducements” between May 19 and 22.
AGCO’s Chief Executive and Registrar Tom Mungham commented: "We expect all registered operators to achieve and maintain the high standards of responsible gambling, player protection and game integrity.
"The AGCO will continue to monitor these gaming sites’ activities, and ensure they are meeting their obligations under Ontario’s Gaming Control Act and the Standards."
If the company wishes, Unibet can file an appeal with the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
The AGCO added: "Ontario strictly prohibits broad public advertising of bonuses and other gambling inducements, and the AGCO will continue to take regulatory action."
Recently, DraftKings Canada was fined $76.9k (CA$100k) by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Prior to that, BetMGM Canada and PointsBet received penalties totaling $36.9k (CA$48k) and $23k(CA$30k), respectively.
Kindred Group’s Country Manager for Canada Amanda Brewer stated: "We regret we were non-compliant with an important AGCO standard, and we will strengthen our internal processes to ensure we stay compliant.
"Kindred always aims to operate with high standards of responsible gambling and player protection, which includes how we market our products to our customers."
Unibet is the fourth operator of twenty-four that has been fined in Canada.
