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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a $70,000 fine against Booming Games due to their auto-play functionality in its online slots, which is a prohibited feature. It’s another example of a regulator functioning at a high level, ensuring that the iGaming market adheres to compliance standards.
Booming Games is an online casino game developer, specializing in slots. The company has had a supplier license in Ontario for a couple of years now, allowing its games to be offered by licensed online casinos in the province. Its portfolio includes titles such as Buffalo Hold and Win, Cash Pig, and TNT Bonanza.
Booming Games works with several Ontario online casinos, including Bally’s, Betano, Casino Days, and LeoVegas.
The AGCO found that the game provider failed to properly monitor certain games before and after they became available in Ontario. As a result, some slots included an auto-play feature that allowed additional spins to take place without requiring the player to manually initiate each wager.
These were violations of the Gaming Control Act, 1992, specifically the following:
After identifying the prohibited functionality, the AGCO notified the affected iGaming operator, and the auto-play feature was disabled.
Auto-play is prohibited in Ontario online casinos because players are required to manually initiate each wager. According to the AGCO, requiring players to start each spin creates a pause between wagers that gives them an opportunity to assess their play and decide whether to continue.
The requirement is intended to reduce prolonged and uninterrupted gaming with the hope of preventing problem gambling.
In a public statement, Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, stated that “registered suppliers must have effective controls in place to prevent prohibited features from reaching Ontario players. When those safeguards are not respected, the AGCO will take regulatory action.”
In issuing this fine, the AGCO is demonstrating its commitment to fostering a safe environment where responsible gaming is at the forefront.
The $70,000 penalty against Booming Games is the latest example of the AGCO taking enforcement action against companies that fail to meet Ontario’s regulated gambling standards. The action comes only two weeks after the regulator issued a significantly larger penalty against another company operating in the province.
Earlier this month, the AGCO fined Betty Gaming $120,000 after finding that underage individuals were able to create and fund accounts on Betty.ca. Their age verification tools did not function properly.
While the Booming Games fine is significantly less, it highlights how the AGCO continues to vigorously enforce Ontario iGaming compliance laws to prioritize responsible gaming. To this end, Ontario is positioning itself as a leader in consumer protections not only in Canada, but North America as a whole.
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