Toronto's Great Canadian Casino Resort Slapped with $120K Fine for Dealer Collusion Scam
Casino cheating takes a heavy toll on the industry, especially in provinces like Ontario where gaming regulations are rigorous. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) plays a pivotal role in the oversight and policing of such incidents.
In the recent case of the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, two table games dealers collaborated with a group of patrons, engaging in an elaborate cheating scheme. As a result, the resort incurred a hefty $120,000 fine, courtesy of the AGCO.
This unscrupulous scheme, unveiled in March 2024, involved a series of dealer cheat moves, such as exposing cards meant to remain face down, inappropriate overdraws of cards, and overpaying on winning hands. Unsurprisingly, this led to around $20,000 in illicit winnings in barely a week.
The AGCO's subsequent compliance review discovered that the casino's pit staff and surveillance team had woefully failed to detect the scheme. In a blunt statement, AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Dr. Karin Schnarr, commented on the responsibility casino operators have to protect the integrity of gaming:
The casino also botched its table games audit procedures, a regulatory measure aimed at ensuring that dealers and players follow the rules. If a casino finds itself faced with a monetary penalty from the AGCO, the operator can choose to appeal the decision at the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
Sadly, the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is no stranger to such incidents; this wasn't their first rodeo. A similar case occurred in September 2023, when the casino (still known as Casino Woodbine at the time) was fined $80,000 for a dealer illegally assisting guests. This unrelenting need for regulations stems from match-fixing concerns, prompting the AGCO to suspend betting on certain events like WBA boxing and UFC matches.
In summary, strict regulations and penalties are in place to discourage dealer collusion in Ontario's casino market. The AGCO plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust in gaming operations through its enforcement measures.
- The alleged collaboration between two table games dealers and patrons at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, as confirmed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), resulted in a $120,000 fine for the casino.
- The AGCO's compliance review revealed that the casino's pit staff and surveillance team had failed to detect the cheating scheme, leading to an illicit $20,000 in winnings.
- In response to the incident, AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Dr. Karin Schnarr, emphasized the casino operators' obligation to protect the integrity of gaming and prevent collusion and cheating.
- Faced with a monetary penalty from the AGCO, the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto can choose to appeal the decision at the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), but the constant regulatory measures, such as table games audits and suspensions of betting on certain events, are a testament to the ongoing concerns about dealer collusion in Ontario's casino market.
