What is the process by which the AGCO can suspend or revoke a registered online casino's licence?

Ontario's regulated online casino market runs on a dual-authority structure — the AGCO handles registration and enforcement, while iGaming Ontario manages the commercial side. Understanding how the AGCO can pull a registration matters for any Toronto player who wants to know exactly what keeps the sites they use accountable.

What triggers enforcement action

The AGCO will only register operators who act with honesty, integrity, in accordance with the law, and in the public interest. Falling short of that standard is what opens the door to enforcement. Specific triggers include failing to meet the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming, providing false, incomplete, or misleading information — or failing to notify the Registrar of material changes after registration — which may result in the refusal, suspension, or revocation of a registration. The AGCO also addresses regulatory complaints and inquiries, including those related to game integrity and fairness, misuse of private information, responsible gambling violations, and money laundering.

How the enforcement ladder works

The AGCO doesn't jump straight to revocation. Where regulatory expectations are not met, the AGCO may use a full spectrum of compliance responses — education, warnings, financial penalties, suspensions, and in the most serious cases, revocations — and will generally deploy a progressive approach to sanctions. Monetary penalties are designed to promote compliance so that suspension or revocation does not become necessary. In the case of a repeated or severe infraction, a monetary penalty may not be imposed even if available; instead, the Registrar may propose immediate suspension or revocation where appropriate.

Under the Gaming Control Act, the Registrar may propose to suspend or revoke a registration for any reason that would disentitle the registrant to registration or renewal of registration if the registrant were an applicant.

The procedural steps: Notice, appeal window, and immediate suspension

For the standard (non-emergency) route: if the Registrar proposes to refuse, revoke, or suspend a registration, the Registrar must serve a Notice of Proposed Order (NOPO) on the applicant/registrant, outlining the reasons for the proposed action. If the Registrar is seeking to refuse, revoke, or suspend a licence/registration, the operator must request a hearing before the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) within fifteen (15) days. If an appeal is not received within fifteen days, the Registrar will carry out the proposed action and a final order will be issued.

There is also a fast-track mechanism for urgent situations. An immediate suspension takes effect immediately upon being served on the registrant. The registrant may appeal the immediate suspension to LAT, but the suspension remains in effect until LAT has issued its decision.

Responsibility for adjudication of gaming matters under the Gaming Control Act, 1992 rests with the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an agency of the Government of Ontario that adjudicates matters involving licensing activities regulated by various ministries. A hearing/appeal is a quasi-judicial process very similar to appearing in court.

iGaming Ontario's parallel power

Worth knowing: the AGCO's registration authority isn't the only mechanism that can remove an operator from the market. iGaming Ontario will maintain sole and absolute discretion regarding the monitoring of operators for compliance with its requirements, and may suspend and/or terminate the Operating Agreement independently of any AGCO action. Losing an operating agreement with iGO effectively shuts a site down in Ontario even if AGCO registration technically remains intact.

What this means for players in Toronto

The practical upshot is that Ontario's licensed sites face real, enforceable consequences for non-compliance — not just theoretical ones. You can verify that any site you're using is currently registered by checking the full list of registered operators on the iGaming Ontario website, which is the live source of truth. Legitimate regulated sites also display both the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos, which iGaming Ontario identifies as a signal that the site is properly managed and regulated.

If gambling ever becomes a concern, ConnexOntario is available 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Ontario's legal gambling age is 19+.