Ontario Regulator Fines Casino $350,000 for Unauthorized Party

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto received $350,000 in fines from Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) after hosting an unauthorized after-party on its gaming floor.

Good to know

• Nearly 400 people attended the unplanned event.
• The casino did not notify AGCO about the after-party beforehand.
• Security reportedly struggled to manage attendees, with at least one person climbing onto slot machines.

According to AGCO, the penalties stemmed from serious breaches of provincial gaming regulations, particularly relating to security and safety standards. An AGCO investigation discovered that the casino allowed a spontaneous gathering during early morning hours directly on the casino floor without prior planning or a risk assessment.

AGCO emphasized the gravity of the lapse, noting that casino staff failed to effectively manage or secure the area. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, including at least one attendee climbing onto slot machines, highlighting the casino’s loss of control.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, stated clearly: “Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor.”

AGCO highlighted the casino’s responsibility to ensure the safety and integrity of its gaming environment, underlining that this unauthorized event exposed patrons and the facility to unnecessary risks.