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AGCO orders GCE casino operator to pay $170K for AML failures
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a $170,000 fine on Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE), which operates the Pickering Casino Resort, for failing to flag high-risk players and report suspicious betting activity.
In a compliance audit completed on July 7, 2026, the AGCO shared that multiple breaches in assessing and tracking risky players were identified, and found many cases of suspicious transactions with money laundering indicators that were not properly reported. According to the commission, GCE failed to implement risk-based measures to address the problematic betting patterns.
CEO of AGCO, Karin Schnarr, stated:
“When high-risk behavior is not properly monitored or reported, it weakens important safeguards that protect the integrity of Ontario’s gaming sector. The AGCO will continue to hold operators accountable to high standards for responsible operations.”
The commission stressed that all casino operators are required to have identification mechanisms and response tools for monitoring suspicious activity and keeping a regulated gaming environment.
Under Ontario law, operators have 15 days to appeal the AGCO’s decision to the independent Licence Appeal Tribunal.
Previously, GCE had received a $150,000 penalty in May 2025 from the AGCO for allowing minors to gamble on 4 different occasions, one of which occurred at Pickering Casino Resort.
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