Two Ontario gaming operators face financial penalties for allowing games on unregulated sites to become available to residents of the province, regulators announced Thursday.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) sanctioned both Relax Gaming Limited and Arrise Solutions Limited with fines of $40,000, according to a news release. An investigation undertaken by the AGCO “found games created by these companies were available on unregulated gambling websites accessible to Ontario players.”
In the release, AGCO made clear its stance on unregulated offerings.
“Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear rules designed to protect players and hold companies accountable. Unregulated gaming sites operate outside that framework, meaning players have no assurance of fair games, timely withdrawals, or access to meaningful dispute resolution. When regulated games appear on unregulated sites, it risks enabling a market that exposes players to real harm,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, in a written statement.
Both companies responded to the findings of the investigation by removing access for Ontario-based players, the AGCO said.
What led to Ontario gaming fines
Relax Gaming and Arrise Solutions both hold supplier licenses in the regulated Ontario market. Many companies that participate in the regulated Ontario market, however, also operate in the gray market in other areas of the country and overlap between the two can lead to problems.
In its release, the AGCO reiterated its ban on companies “operating in the regulated iGaming market … offering their products to unregulated gaming websites available to Ontario players. Supplying games to such sites helps to sustain unregulated gaming operations.”
The regulated Ontario gaming market launched in April 2022. Ontario was the first Canadian province to open its market to licensure for outside operators. AGCO offered a six-month transition period for gray-market operators to comply with the province’s new regulations.
Previous AGCO actions this year
The Ontario regulator continues an active year in enforcement:
- In February, the AGCO moved to issue a five-day suspension to PointsBet for violations related to the Jontay Porter gambling scandal.
- In January, the body fined FanDuel Canada $350,000 for failing to report irregularities in table tennis betting.
Issues elsewhere for fined operator
Relax Gaming also faced scrutiny in recent months over licensing issues in Anjouan, an autonomous island off the eastern coast of Africa favored by unregulated offshore operators.
European gaming heavyweight FDJ gained Relax as part of a broader portfolio owned by Kindred when FDJ acquired Kindred in October 2024 for €2.5 billion.
Both Relax and Arrise hold licenses in regulated jurisdictions throughout the world.
