Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto Fined $120K For Cheating Scheme Involving Two Dealers
The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a significant penalty of $120,000 on Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership, the operator of the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. This fine stems from serious allegations regarding their failure to identify a sophisticated cheating scheme involving collusion between dealers and casino patrons.
Dealers Facilitate $20,000 in Fraudulent Winnings
In March 2024, an in-depth investigation conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) led to the arrest of five individuals. These charges emerged following allegations that two table game dealers at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto were colluding with a group of players.
The AGCO’s subsequent compliance review revealed that this cheating arrangement was executed multiple times over a single week, resulting in nearly $20,000 in fraudulent winnings. The tactics employed by the dealers included:
- Card Exposure: Dealers intentionally revealed face-down cards during play.
- Card Overdrawing: Manipulating the count of their own cards.
- Overpayment on Winning Hands: Providing excessive payouts for winning hands to the accomplices.
Surveillance and Oversight Failures at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto
The AGCO’s findings highlighted a critical failure in the casino’s operational integrity. Surveillance and supervisory staff at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto did not adequately monitor activities or mitigate the risks of collusion and cheating.
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the AGCO, emphasized, “Ontario’s registered casino operators must uphold the integrity of gaming activities within their establishments. This responsibility encompasses the detection and prevention of collusion and cheating. The AGCO remains vigilant in taking all necessary actions to ensure the integrity of gaming across Ontario’s gaming venues.”
Noncompliance with Audit Procedures
Further compounding the issue, the review indicated that the casino’s staff did not adhere to established table game audit procedures designed to ensure compliance with gaming regulations. These regulations are essential for maintaining fairness and transparency for both dealers and patrons.
Casino operators facing monetary fines from the AGCO Registrar have the right to appeal decisions to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an independent adjudicative agency that operates under the framework of Tribunals Ontario.
A Pattern of Compliance Lapses
This incident marks the second occurrence of alleged cheating at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto in recent months. Previously, in September 2023, the establishment, which was then operating as Casino Woodbine, faced an $80,000 fine for similar infractions. During that instance, it was discovered that an electronic craps dealer had unlawfully assisted players in extracting funds from the casino.
The Distinction of the Canadian Gambling Market
It is essential to recognize that the Canadian gambling landscape differs markedly from its American counterpart. While both markets are rapidly evolving, Canada has distinct regulatory frameworks and operational standards intended to protect the integrity of gaming.
In this dynamic and competitive environment, casinos must remain vigilant and proactive in implementing robust compliance measures, ensuring both operational integrity and customer trust.
Jose Del Pozo is an experienced iGaming analyst with over a decade in the industry. He specializes in content creation for casino and betting websites, providing insights into the evolving landscape of the iGaming market through contributions to esteemed platforms such as Pokerlistings, Casinobee, and Betpack.
