Rideau Carleton Casino owners fined $227,000 for alleged rule violations
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has fined the operator of the Rideau Carleton Casino more than $227,000 for dozens of alleged regulatory violations, including "repeatedly" failing to implement, follow and enforce anti-money laundering policies and procedures.
The casino owners also allegedly advertised to people who had self-excluded from gambling activities, failed to sufficiently protect gaming systems and data from security vulnerabilities, and did not ensure that staff were properly trained, according to the AGCO.
The AGCO conducted an audit of HR Ottawa LP, owned by Hard Rock International, to assess compliance with the AGCO Registrar's Standards for Gaming.
"The standards exist to protect Ontarians and audits of gaming operators are one of the tools the AGCO regularly uses as part of its regulatory oversight of the gaming industry," the AGCO said in a statement.
According to a statement from the AGCO, there are 36 alleged violations by HR Ottawa LP, including:
- Provided advertising and marketing materials to individuals who had self-excluded from gambling activities.
- Repeatedly failed to implement, follow, and enforce required anti-money laundering policies and procedures.
- Failed to address matters of concern identified by internal auditors in a timely manner.
- Maintained a compliance oversight function that was not independent of the company’s operations, as is required.
- Failed to sufficiently protect gaming systems and data from security vulnerabilities in accordance with established industry and technology good practices.
- Not ensured that staff completed necessary training in important areas like anti-money laundering policies and procedures.
"The AGCO has the mandate and the responsibility to ensure casinos are operating with honest, integrity, and in the public interest," AGCO CEO and Registrar Tom Mungham said in a statement.
"These penalties are intended to drive the improvements needed at the Rideau Carleton Casino, and we will be carefully monitoring the casino’s activities to ensure these significant audit findings are addressed."
The exact total of the fine is $227,250.
The AGCO says the operator of the Rideau Carleton Casino can appeal the Registrar's findings to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Rideau Carleton Casino general manager Helen MacMillan said the "majority of issues" related to the audit have been "aggressively corrected."
"Rideau Carleton Casino takes this matter extremely seriously. We have been in regular communication with the AGCO and have been working actively and definitively to address all issues," MacMillan said.
"The majority of issues related to the audit have been aggressively corrected, including and not limited to, change in personnel. We will continue to improve and address any and all regulatory issues to ensure full compliance moving forward."
HR Ottawa, LP assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the OLG Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway in 2017. HR LP is owed by Hard Rock International.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.