Ontario sports betting opened with a lot of attention and since its April launch, the province has 46 registered operators and 27 online sportsbooks.
But that is not to say Ontario’s regulations are helpful and easy for legal sports betting companies to operate, as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced today that Unibet was issued $48,000 in monetary penalties for advertising and inducement infractions.
Unibet’s specific charge? In May, it posted and aired advertisements that noted its "generous welcome offers."
The AGCO forbids operators in the province from talking about their bonuses, credits, sign-up inducements, etc. This information can be posted on their website or sent directly to a customer (after they opt into direct advertising), but it cannot be shown to the public.
"We expect all registered operators to achieve and maintain the high standards of responsible gambling, player protection and game integrity," said Tom Mungham, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the AGCO.
Previously charged operators
Unibet is not the only sportsbook to get hit with a fine: BetMGM and PointsBet both previously received similar penalties to Unibet in May, while DraftKings was given a $100,000 fine in June for improper advertisements.
BetMGM (among other things) tweeted, "the more money you put in per bet, the higher your chance is of winning." It was also fined $48,000.
PointsBet had train posters telling people they can play for free. It was fined $30,000.
DraftKings took the stiffest penalty by advertising certain odds that had been boosted to +200
"The AGCO will continue to monitor these gaming sites’ activities, and ensure they are meeting their obligations under Ontario’s Gaming Control Act and the Standards," Mungham added.
Unibet can appeal the charge, which would be handled by Ontario's Licence Appeal Tribunal, which is independent of the AGCO.
