BetVictor and Fitzdares slapped with Ontario fines totalling C$30,000 over underage betting breach
Licensed operators found to have offered “numerous” bets on three prohibited hockey leagues
BetVictor and Fitzdares Canada have been issued penalties totalling C$30,000 (£17,806) by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for taking bets on prohibited Canadian hockey leagues.
The duo were found to have offered “numerous” bets on Ontario’s Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games during the 2022-23 season.
The AGCO standards prohibit the offering of bets on minor league sports, including the Canadian Hockey League’s three major junior hockey leagues.
As such, BetVictor and Fitzdares have each been fined C$15,000 each following consideration from the AGCO.
Any operator in Ontario served with a notice of monetary penalty has the right to appeal that action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which functions as both an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and as part of Tribunals Ontario.
Remarking on the case, AGCO chief operating officer Dave Phillips reiterated the AGCO’s commitment to vigilance on all licensed operator conduct, especially in cases where violations are identified.
“As the regulator of Ontario’s sports betting industry, the AGCO is resolved to maintain the integrity of sports betting which, in turn, may serve to protect the integrity of sport,” Philips explained.
“This includes a clear prohibition on offering bets in Ontario on minor league sports, including Canadian major junior hockey.
“We will continue to carefully monitor Ontario’s sports betting markets to ensure the public interest is protected,” he concluded.
Three operators, including LeoVegas, were issued with notices of monetary penalty totalling C$70,000 in April for offences including the offering of uncertified games to Ontario players, and games which were not from the AGCO’s list of approved suppliers.