Ontario’s gaming regulator has fined Booming Games (Malta) Limited CA$70,000 for offering an auto-play feature on several of its slot titles, a function that is prohibited under the province’s game-design standards. The penalty, announced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), follows a review that found the feature was available to players for several months.
The AGCO determined that the auto-play function, which allows players to spin the reels automatically without pressing a button each time, violated provincial rules designed to promote responsible gambling. The regulator’s standards for internet gaming in Ontario explicitly ban such features, as they can encourage prolonged play and reduce player control. Booming Games, a supplier of online casino content, was found to have offered the feature across multiple titles during the period in question.
This enforcement action is part of a broader trend among regulators in Canada and elsewhere to tighten rules around game design features that may increase gambling harm. Auto-play and similar functions have come under scrutiny globally, with several jurisdictions either restricting or banning them outright. Ontario, which launched its regulated online gaming market in 2022, has been proactive in enforcing its standards, and this fine signals that suppliers operating in the province must comply with local rules even if their products are licensed elsewhere.
For players in Ontario, the practical impact is limited. The affected games have presumably been updated to remove the auto-play feature, and players can still access Booming Games’ titles through licensed operators. However, the fine underscores that the AGCO is actively monitoring game features, and players should be aware that certain conveniences, like auto-play, may not be available in Ontario’s regulated market. If you have an account with an Ontario-licensed casino, you can continue to play as usual, but you may notice that some games have been adjusted to comply with local standards.
Looking ahead, this penalty may prompt other suppliers to review their game portfolios for compliance with Ontario’s rules, and players can expect continued regulatory scrutiny of game features that could be seen as encouraging excessive play.