The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario fined NorthStar Gaming (Ontario) Inc. $30,000, “for failing to ensure that their site, NorthStarBets.ca, is accessible only to players in Ontario and other violations.”
AGCO identified the issue with NorthStarBets.ca through third-party compliance monitoring of registered internet gaming operators. Games provided on gaming sites registered in Ontario can be provided only within Ontario, “unless they are conducted in conjunction with the government of another province,” AGCO said in the statement.
During the assessment, tests were conducted from locations in Quebec and New York state to determine if Ontario-registered gaming sites were accessible outside Ontario. NorthStarBets.ca failed to accurately identify the location of one of the devices during the assessment.
“Ontario’s gaming sector is carefully regulated to ensure it’s conducted legally and with the public interest in mind,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO. “The AGCO will continue to take all appropriate steps to ensure that regulated gaming sites are operated with integrity and within the province’s legal framework.”
AGCO also found that NorthStar was guilty of “repeated failure” to provide AGCO with data, documents, and information in a “timely manner.” AGCO is working with NorthStar to ensure that the issues are addressed. Failure to do so may result in further enforcement action, the statement said.
