The Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has levied a $100,000 penalty on DraftKings for breaking the regulator’s guidelines on gambling promotions and incentives.
The AGCO determined that DraftKings “published or aired numerous widespread inducements to wager” between May 19 and May 31, just a fortnight after the company entered the marketplace. These incentives included commercials promoting improved odds.
This conduct contravened provincial sports betting regulations, which stipulate that incentives, bonuses, and points can only be advertised on the operator’s website or through direct marketing.
The AGCO stated that these standards are intended to safeguard Ontarians.
Operators possess the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an element of the Ontario Court.
The AGCO has taken three regulatory actions concerning advertising since the market opened on April 4. Last month, BetMGM and PointsBet were fined $48,000 and $30,000, respectively, for their own inducement transgressions.
The Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission will closely monitor all registered operators, ensuring they adhere to stringent regulations concerning responsible gaming, player protection, and fair play. “We must ensure they comply with the law and our established standards, for the public’s benefit,” stated Tom Mungham, the head of the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission.
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