AGCO Slaps Great Canadian Entertainment With $120,000 Penalty

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has fined Great Canadian Entertainment $120,000 for using unauthorized bill validator software at four of its Ontario casino properties. The regulator found 40 instances of revoked or unapproved gaming software deployed between February 20 and March 15, 2025.

Bill validators are essential components of electronic gaming machines, designed to authenticate currency and create transaction records to combat money laundering. The AGCO stated that unauthorized software bypasses critical safeguards meant to protect gaming integrity and maintain public confidence.

“The AGCO requires casino operators to protect the integrity of their gaming systems by making sure they are independently tested, approved, and operating as intended,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the AGCO. “When unauthorized software is used in a live casino environment, it bypasses critical safeguards that are meant to uphold the integrity of gaming and the public’s confidence in the system.”

The penalty impacts one-third of Great Canadian Entertainment‘s Ontario properties, including major revenue generators like Casino Woodbine and Casino Pickering. These locations contributed over $7.8 million to their host municipalities in Q4 2025-26.

Great Canadian Entertainment has acknowledged the fine and reaffirmed its commitment to compliance. “We respect the AGCO’s decision and its role in enforcing the standards that guide the gaming industry,” said Chuck Keeling, Executive Vice President of External Relations and Business Development. “We have imposed operational and compliance safeguards to prevent future similar incidents. Our organization remains committed to the highest standards of compliance and accountability for our operations.”

Operators have 15 days to appeal monetary penalties to the License Appeal Tribunal. The AGCO continues to enforce strict gaming system integrity standards across Ontario.