Great Canadian fined $120,000 for unapproved slot machine software at four casinos
The AGCO found revoked or unapproved bill validator software installed in 40 cases across four Ontario casino sites.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has fined Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) a total of $120,000 for running unauthorized software in gaming machines at four of its Ontario casinos.
The regulator announced the monetary penalties on June 29, 2026. It said it reviewed 40 instances where revoked or unapproved bill validator software had been installed between February 20 and March 15, 2025. The AGCO did not name the four casinos or say how the penalty was split among them.
Bill validators are the parts of a gaming machine that accept and process cash. The AGCO noted they also support anti-money laundering controls.
Testing rules
Under the AGCO's Standards for Gaming, gaming equipment and software must be tested and approved before it is used in a casino. Operators are also required to make sure system changes are reviewed, tested and authorized before they go live.
The regulator said unapproved systems weaken safeguards against unlawful conduct, including money laundering, and can erode public confidence in gaming.
"When unauthorized software is used in a live casino environment, it bypasses critical safeguards," said Dr. Karin Schnarr, the AGCO's chief executive officer and Registrar. She added that the commission will keep holding all casino operators accountable for meeting Ontario's system integrity standards.
Right of appeal
A casino operator served with an order of monetary penalty can appeal the Registrar's decision within 15 days. Appeals go to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which is part of Tribunals Ontario and operates independently of the AGCO.
The AGCO did not report any finding that money had been laundered through the affected machines. Its concern, as set out in the release, was that equipment handling cash had been running on software that had not been through the required testing and approval.
Great Canadian Entertainment runs a number of casinos in Ontario. The AGCO's release did not include a response from the company.