The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) ordered Booming Games (Malta) Limited to pay CA$70,000 on August 20, 2026. The penalty followed the discovery of prohibited auto-play functionality on several online slot games available to Ontario players for several months.

The regulator said Booming Games failed to properly configure, test and monitor the affected games before and after launch. The order targets the supplier, not the unidentified operator that offered the games to players.

Why Ontario bans auto-play

Auto-play allows a player to run repeated slot spins without manually starting each wager. Ontario prohibits the feature because it removes the pause between spins.

That pause gives players an opportunity to stop, assess their play and decide whether to continue gambling. Ontario’s rules therefore address player protection through game design, as well as through operator policies.

AGCO says supplier controls failed

The AGCO said its investigation found shortcomings in Booming Games’ controls across the affected titles. The findings covered both pre-launch checks and monitoring after the games entered the Ontario market.

Registered gaming suppliers must ensure that their games operate as approved. The AGCO’s technology framework requires games and other critical gaming components to be tested against applicable standards before deployment. Recertification is also required when material changes invalidate an earlier certification.

“Registered suppliers must have effective controls in place to prevent prohibited features from reaching Ontario players,” AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr said in the regulator’s announcement.

Feature disabled after detection

The AGCO said it notified the affected online gaming operator after identifying the issue through targeted compliance work. The auto-play functionality was then disabled.

The regulator did not name the operator or provide a public count of affected players in its August 20 notice. It also did not say whether players received refunds or other compensation.

Appeal period remains open

Booming Games may request a hearing before Ontario’s Licence Appeal Tribunal within 15 days of receiving the monetary penalty order. The tribunal operates independently of the AGCO, according to the regulator.

The case highlights three requirements for suppliers operating in Ontario:

  • Game features must match Ontario’s approved configuration.
  • Testing must continue after launch.
  • Monitoring must detect prohibited functionality before it remains available for an extended period.

The penalty does not change Ontario’s ban on auto-play. It shows that suppliers can face regulatory consequences when their controls fail to prevent prohibited functionality from reaching players.