The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served both BV Gaming Limited (formerly BetVictor) and Fitzdares Canada with Notices of Monetary Penalty for alleged internet gaming standard infractions. The penalty totals CA$30,000 (US$22,670) and is the result of the operators offering bets on junior hockey league games.
Ontario’s iGaming market standards prohibit betting on minor league sports, which includes Canadian Hockey League junior league games. BV Gaming and Fitzdares Canada allegedly provided numerous opportunities to wager on 2022-2023 season Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games.
AGCO COO Dave Phillips said, “As the regulator of Ontario’s sports betting industry, the AGCO is resolved to maintain the integrity of sports betting which, in turn, may serve to protect the integrity of sport.
“This includes a clear prohibition on offering bets in Ontario on minor league sports, including Canadian major junior hockey. We will continue to carefully monitor Ontario’s sports betting markets to ensure the public interest is protected.”
The AGCO also recently proposed new standards and restrictions, for the use of athletes and celebrities within internet gambling ads. These standards also relate to the protection and public interest surrounding minors, as no entertainer who could ‘reasonably appeal to minors’ will be allowed to appear in such ad campaigns.
Registered operators served with an AGCO Notice of Monetary Penalty have the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. It has not been stated whether BVGroup or Fitzdares Canada will choose to take this action.
