AGCO, Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission, has revised its previously established rules related to responsible gambling training and removed some provisions. The decision is intended to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining the highest level of consumer protection.
Key Details of the Recent Update
The amendment of July 11th, 2025, eliminates the requirement for mandatory approval of responsible play initiatives by the Registrar. Local companies are now freed from the need to pre-endorse their plans. Nevertheless, staff education remains obligatory: campaigns must be systematically updated and meet recognised industry standards.
Despite some relaxation, central requirements are still in place:
- Specialised training. All employees of entertainment companies who directly interact with users must undergo niche courses.
- Availability of support programs for individuals with signs of possibly problematic habits. If there are no relevant experts, it is necessary to post on the website visible contact details of at least 1 help organisation.
- Tracking gamers' behavioural patterns. The implementation of these practices will allow the establishment’s staff to quickly recognise suspicious signals and prevent cases of abnormal reactions or stop them at the first manifestation.
Practical Incorporation of Responsible Programs
Real-life measures back up AGCO’s initiatives. Earlier this summer, the Casino Days brand was fined CA$54,000 (approximately US$48,000) for failing to ensure the safety of its customers. The regulator stated that an audit of the operator revealed misleading promos that encourage immense losses for clients.
The new reform was a natural response from Ontario’s government to the continued growth of the iGaming market:
- Since its launch in 2021, the sector’s gross earnings have jumped from CA$1.26 billion in the first year to CA$3.2 billion in 2024.
- The trend has continued in H1 2025. In April, the GGR of local companies reached CA$313.5 million, 25.3% higher YoY.
- The province posted a record-breaking CA$338 million in May, representing a nearly 40% rise from the same period last year.
Comments of the Regulatory Body’s Experts
AGCO’s representatives believe that the new reform will significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden on businesses and enable the faster implementation of the best practices for user protection. The team employs a responsible, results-oriented strategy in its work and strives for consistency of norms across all real-money entertainment segments.
The Commission’s CEO and Registrar emphasised that players' safety is an absolute priority. According to Karin Schnarr’s statement, niche studios must create their promos with principles of transparency in mind and avoid bonus offers that encourage risky behaviour.
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