Ontario Regulator Fines Relax Gaming and Arrise for Allowing Games on Unregulated Sites

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has taken enforcement action against two registered suppliers, Relax Gaming Limited and Arrise Solutions Limited, after finding their casino‑style games available on unregulated websites that could be accessed by Ontario players.

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Each company received an Order of Monetary Penalties worth $40,000. AGCO explained that operators in the province must be registered, and supplying games to unregulated platforms undermines the integrity of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.

AGCO highlight the risks of regulated games on offshore sites

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market officially launched in April 2022, becoming the first Canadian province to open licensing to outside operators. AGCO gave gray‑market operators a six‑month transition period to comply with the new rules. 

Since then, the regulator has emphasized strict standards around consumer protection, game integrity, and responsible gambling safeguards. Unregulated sites, AGCO noted, expose players to risks such as money laundering, match‑fixing, and lack of dispute resolution.

Relax Gaming and Arrise are both registered to supply games within Ontario’s regulated system, but the investigation revealed their products were still appearing on unregulated platforms. After being notified, both companies cooperated fully and restricted access to their games. 

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AGCO’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Dr. Karin Schnarr, shared the importance of enforcement in the Thursday news release, stating, “Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is built on clear rules designed to protect players and hold companies accountable. Unregulated gaming sites operate outside that framework, meaning players have no assurance of fair games, timely withdrawals, or access to meaningful dispute resolution. 

“When regulated games appear on unregulated sites, it risks enabling a market that exposes players to real harm.”

This is another of AGCO’s major regulatory actions this year. Earlier in February, it suspended the license of PointsBet over what it described as a systemic failure to monitor and report suspicious betting activity tied to the 2024 NBA bet‑rigging scandal involving Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter.

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