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Ontario regulators clamp down on bonuses
10 November 2026
Ontario's Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has intensified its crackdown on gambling bonuses and inducements, imposing significant fines on multiple operators for violations of the province's strict advertising rules. Since the regulator's internet gaming rules came into effect, AGCO has levied penalties totaling C$322,000 against BetMGM, Unibet, DraftKings, and Casino Days for breaching Standard 2.05, which limits bonus promotions to an operator's own site or direct marketing.
In April 2022, AGCO reinforced its position, specifying that "inducements" include sign-up offers, deposit incentives, boosted odds, and more. Warnings followed that operators and marketing affiliates could face penalties for indirectly advertising such bonuses, even via reference to "bonus codes."
The restrictions have stark consequences. In November 2023, NorthStar Gaming was hit with a C$30,000 fine, in part for failing to restrict access to Ontario residents. More significantly, in June 2024, AGCO fined Casino Days (operated by Rhino Entertainment's Well Played Media) C$54,000. The welcome bonus promotion—up to C$2,000 available but requiring C$2,000 be deposited and 35x wagered to cash out—was deemed both deceptive and a potential catalyst for harmful betting.
But the most high-profile case involved BetMGM, fined C$110,000 in March 2024. Reports indicated that the company and its marketing partners offered cash inducements valued at C$100 to new deposits as low as C$15. The promotional activity was alleged to have taken place at trade shows, drawing hundreds of new registrants and triggering over C$160,000 in marketing commissions for the affiliate partners.
- Ban on "free play" demo games for unverified players
- Removal of bonus-focused ads from social media and third party sites
- New bonuses confined to operator sites or verified direct marketing channels
In a marketing-compliance report, AGCO noted that bonus and inducement violations became one of the most frequent compliance issues by mid-2024. Regulators have tied the enforcement to youth risk mitigation, partnership with dealers and affected industries, and increasing the adoption of age verification.
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has added its own attention to "gambling style" promotional incentives on trading platforms, including sweepstakes and trading-based push notifications. The OSC has warned that such activities could be creating higher risk for retail investors and not serving their clients with due care.
The regulator expects to begin monitoring for compliance in early 2025, with the possibility of administrative penalties for repeat violators. The updated rules confirm AGCO's commitment to reducing consumer harm and maintaining the integrity and security of Ontario's iCasino environment.