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Ontario’s gaming regulator has fined Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto after determining the property’s surveillance and internal controls failed to detect a dealer collusion scheme that resulted in nearly CA$20,000 in improper payouts.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issued a CA$120,000 monetary penalty against Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership, the operator of Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, following a compliance review that uncovered multiple failures in oversight.
According to the AGCO, the operator has the right to appeal the decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. The Great Canadian acknowledged the penalty and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward conduct that compromises game integrity.
Dealer collusion scheme triggered regulatory review
The case stems from an investigation launched after the Ontario Provincial Police’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, which works jointly with the AGCO, charged five individuals in March 2024.
According to regulators, two table games dealers allegedly worked with a group of patrons to manipulate gameplay over multiple sessions, resulting in nearly CA$20,000 in improper winnings in less than a week.
The AGCO said the dealers intentionally exposed cards that should have remained hidden, improperly overdrew dealer hands and overpaid winning wagers to their alleged accomplices. A subsequent compliance review confirmed the cheating occurred on multiple occasions with the same group of patrons.
AGCO says internal casino controls failed
The regulator concluded that the casino’s surveillance team and supervisory pit staff failed to detect the scheme despite repeated opportunities to do so.
Investigators also found staff did not follow required table games audit procedures designed to identify dealer misconduct and ensure the integrity of gameplay.
The AGCO noted this marked the second recent incident involving alleged dealer collusion at the Toronto property, prompting renewed scrutiny of its internal controls.
“Ontario’s registered casino operators have an obligation to ensure the integrity of gameplay in their casinos,” AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr said in a statement. “This includes a responsibility to detect and prevent collusion and cheating.”
According to a CityNews report, Great Canadian spokesperson Chuck Keeling acknowledged the regulator’s decision and said the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that could compromise game integrity.
An appeal remains an option for Toronto casino
Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership may appeal the monetary penalty before the independent Licence Appeal Tribunal, which reviews regulatory decisions issued by the AGCO.
As of the latest publicly available information, no public decision has been announced regarding an appeal or any change to the penalty.
AGCO faults casino’s oversight
While the alleged misconduct involved individual employees, the AGCO’s enforcement action underscores that casino operators are ultimately responsible for maintaining effective surveillance, auditing and compliance systems.
Rather than focusing solely on player misconduct, the regulator’s action highlights its expectation that licensed operators actively detect and prevent dealer collusion, helping preserve confidence in Ontario’s regulated casino industry.
For players looking to stay within Ontario’s regulated market, Gaming Today’s guide to the best online casinos in Canada explains how licensed operators are regulated and what to consider before signing up.
