Great Canadian Entertainment is facing more regulatory challenges in Ontario. For the second week in a row, the AGCO has imposed a penalty on the casino operator-this time a CAD $170,000 fine after finding that the company did not properly identify high-risk patrons or report signs of possible money laundering at its Pickering location.
Chuck Keeling, Executive Vice President, Great Canadian Entertainment, speaks during the opening ceremony at Pickering Casino Resort in 2023. (Image: Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images)
Last week (June 29), the AGCO had already fined Great Canadian Entertainment CAD $120,000 for using unapproved gaming system software at four casinos across Ontario.
Audit Highlights Shortcomings
The recent fine stems from “failing to adequately identify, assess, and monitor high-risk patrons and report suspicious activity, including potential money laundering indicators at Pickering Casino Resort,” according to a statement from the AGCO.
An AGCO compliance audit showed that Great Canadian Entertainment lacked sufficient measures to pinpoint and track high-risk patrons at the casino and failed to submit necessary Suspicious Transaction Reports in multiple instances where patrons exhibited potential money laundering signs.
“The AGCO requires casino operators to take a proactive approach to identifying and reporting suspicious activity,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO.
“When high-risk behavior is not properly monitored or reported, it weakens important safeguards that protect the integrity of Ontario’s gaming sector. The AGCO will continue to hold operators accountable to high standards of responsible operation,” Schnarr added.
Concerns About Money Laundering
A casino operator that receives an Order of Monetary Penalty can appeal this decision within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which operates independently from the AGCO.
In response to these issues, Chuck Keeling provided Casino. org with this statement:
“We accept the findings of AGCO’s audit and the importance of a robust and comprehensive regulatory regime that maintains the highest standards for the conduct of gaming in Ontario. Adhering to such standards will continue to be foundational for our operations moving forward.”
Option for Appeal Available
Quarterly reports from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) reveal key financial insights about land-based casinos in the province. OLG uses a standard formula for calculating payments returned to host communities: 5.25% on the first $65 million of slot revenue, 3.0% on up to $135 million more, 2.5% on another $300 million after that, 0.5% on slot revenue over $500 million, plus a flat rate of 4.0% on both table game and sportsbook revenue.
According to this tiered structure, Pickering Casino Resort remains one of Ontario’s top-performing gaming establishments. The casino returned $3.38 million back to its municipality in Q4 (ending March 31, 2026), ranking just behind Casino Woodbine ($4 million) and Niagara Falls ($3.56 million).
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