The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has carried out enforcement action leading to the removal of 50 illegal gaming machines from bars, restaurants and lottery retailers in the province.
The enforcement program during the summer saw the regulator conduct more than 200 inspections at liquor and lottery retail locations in Ontario.
This led to the removal of more than 50 Prime Slots machines, which had been operating illegally and without regulatory oversight in restaurants, convenience stores and other locations accessible to minors and other vulnerable groups.
These machines were marketed as games of skill but testing by the regulator showed that they “ordinarily rely on chance”.
“While other jurisdictions grapple with the entrenchment of these unlawful gaming machines, the AGCO has taken a proactive stance to ensure they do not take root here in Ontario,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, chief executive of AGCO. “Our recent regulatory actions are a clear demonstration of our comprehensive approach and our long-term commitment.”