AGCO Fines theScore 105K for Failing Responsible Gambling Standards

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has fined Score Media and Gaming Inc., widely known as theScore, 105,000 dollars for breaching responsible gambling standards. The regulator said the company failed to act on several warning signs of problem gambling, resulting in multiple violations of the province’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming

Good to Know

• The fine totals 105,000 dollars for three separate regulatory breaches.
• The AGCO said theScore ignored evidence of potential gambling addiction.
• The company can appeal the ruling to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

AGCO Identifies Multiple Violations

According to the AGCO, theScore failed to properly monitor and respond to concerning player behavior. One customer wagered 2.5 million dollars and lost 230,000 dollars over eight months — including 100,000 dollars in their first month alone. Regulators said the company did not intervene, even as the player showed clear signs of gambling harm.

The report noted that theScore ignored repeated requests from the same user asking for bonuses to recover losses, behavior that the AGCO described as consistent with gambling addiction. The operator also allegedly accepted inaccurate income documentation and relied on the customer’s own self-assessment to justify continued access to betting.

The agency concluded that theScore had breached three key sections of the Registrar’s Standards:

1. Section 2.01: Requires operators to implement and enforce policies to identify and minimize financial harm caused by irresponsible gaming.
2. Section 2.10: Mandates systems to monitor player accounts and flag risky behavior.
3. Section 2.12: Requires staff to understand and prioritize responsible gambling and player safety.

Regulator Reinforces Focus on Consumer Protection

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario serves as the province’s main gaming regulator, overseeing licensing and compliance across all online gambling operations. Since the launch of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market in 2022, the agency has positioned responsible gambling and player safety as central to its mission.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, emphasized that maintaining consumer trust is essential for the market’s integrity:

“Player protections are a fundamental requirement for any gambling operator looking to conduct business in Ontario. When operators fail to uphold these critical safer gambling standards, they not only betray the trust of their players but also undermine the integrity of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.”

The AGCO stated that the enforcement action demonstrates its ongoing commitment to holding operators accountable and maintaining strict compliance standards within the province.

TheScore, which operates under Penn Entertainment, can appeal the fine to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, an independent adjudicator that reviews AGCO-related cases.

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