Casino Days Hit with $54,000 Fine in Ontario for Misleading Bonus Offer
Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has levied a $54,000 fine against Well Played Media, Unipessoal LDA, the company operating Casino Days. The penalty comes after regulators found the site promoting a misleading bonus that encouraged risky gambling while failing to clearly disclose crucial conditions. The AGCO’s action reinforces its mandate to keep Ontario’s online gaming market fair, transparent, and safe for players.
How the Investigation Unfolded
The AGCO launched its investigation after receiving a complaint from a player who reported losing access to more than $8,500 in winnings. The inquiry revealed that Casino Days was advertising a “welcome bonus” of up to $2,000 aimed at new users. However, claiming this bonus required players to meet highly restrictive and unrealistic criteria:
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Deposit $2,000 of their own funds
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Wager a total of $70,000 (35 times the deposit)
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Place bets of no more than $5 each
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Complete these requirements within just 7 days
The regulator found that details of these terms were buried deep within the website, making them difficult for players to find or understand before opting in. An analysis by the AGCO estimated that an average player attempting to fulfill these requirements would likely lose around $3,640 to earn the full $2,000 bonus.
Breach of Ontario’s iGaming Standards
Ontario’s iGaming regulations demand that operators promote fair and transparent bonus offers that don’t encourage reckless gambling. The AGCO concluded Casino Days broke these rules in two ways:
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By marketing a bonus that incentivized high-risk gambling behavior
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By failing to make the essential terms clear and accessible
Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO’s CEO and Registrar, underscored the agency’s position:
“Player protection is a non-negotiable priority for the AGCO. We expect operators to be truthful and transparent about their promotions. Offers that force players to lose significant sums to gain a promised benefit are unacceptable and undermine trust in our regulated market.”
Implications for Player Confidence and Industry Standards
The AGCO warned that deceptive promotional tactics not only endanger individual players financially but also risk damaging public confidence in Ontario’s regulated gaming sector. By imposing this fine, the regulator is sending a firm message that it will not tolerate bonus schemes designed to mislead or exploit customers. The goal is to ensure that all licensed operators maintain high standards of transparency, fairness, and responsible gaming practices.
What Comes Next for Casino Days
Casino Days has the option to contest the AGCO’s decision by filing an appeal with Ontario’s independent Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). The LAT will assess whether the penalty was justified and has the authority to uphold, modify, or overturn the decision.
This case highlights the vital role of regulatory oversight in Ontario’s fast-growing online gambling industry. As the market expands, enforcing clear rules that prioritize player safety will remain essential for preserving the integrity of the province’s iGaming framework.
