HR Ottawa LP, otherwise known as Hard Rock Ottawa, has been fined CA$227,250 (US$173,850) for three dozen alleged violations of Ontario gaming regulations.
Among the 36 breaches identified by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Hard Rock Ottawa is said to have failed to implement anti-money laundering (AML) procedures and provided marketing materials to self-excluded individuals.
These alleged violations occurred at the Rideau Carleton Casino and were identified during an AGCO audit.
Other alleged breaches include a failure to address “matters of concern” raised by internal auditors in a timely manner and a failure to sufficiently protect gaming systems and data from security vulnerabilities.
The regulator also claims that Hard Rock Ottawa did not ensure that staff completed necessary training in regard to important areas, such as AML policies and procedures.
Tom Mungham, AGCO Chief Executive and Registrar, commented on the regulator’s decision to issue a fine and said it would be “carefully monitoring the casino’s activities.”
“The AGCO has the mandate and the responsibility to ensure casinos are operating with honesty, integrity and in the public interest,” he remarked.
“These penalties are intended to drive the improvements needed at the Rideau Carleton Casino, and we will be carefully monitoring the casino’s activities to ensure these significant audit findings are addressed.”
Like all casino operators, Hard Rock Ottawa may appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative body independent of the AGCO.
