The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a $170,000 penalty on Pickering Casino Resort for alleged failures in identifying, assessing, and monitoring high-risk patrons and reporting suspicious activity, including potential money-laundering indicators.
Compliance Audit Findings
According to an AGCO statement, a compliance audit of the Pickering Casino Resort revealed several shortcomings by Great Canadian Entertainment. The operator allegedly failed to properly assess and track high-risk patrons who were not subjected to required enhanced scrutiny. Additionally, required suspicious transaction reports were not filed in several cases where patrons exhibited signs indicative of potential money laundering.
Regulatory Response
“The AGCO requires casino operators to take a proactive approach to identifying and reporting suspicious activity,” said Karin Schnarr, chief executive and registrar of the AGCO. “When high-risk behaviour is not properly monitored or reported, it weakens important safeguards that protect the integrity of Ontario’s gaming sector. The AGCO will continue to hold operators accountable to high standards of responsible operation.”
The casino operator has the right to appeal the registrar’s action within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent adjudicative body under Tribunals Ontario.
Background on the Casino
Pickering Casino Resort opened in 2021. Two years later, a 2,500-seat arena on site was inaugurated by Bryan Adams, with several Toronto Blue Jays players in attendance. The resort also includes a hotel and multiple restaurants.
