Police in Ontario have charged two individuals from Toronto in connection with fraudulent activities related to online iGaming sites regulated by the province. The arrests come after an extensive investigation into allegations of identity theft and fraud on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s (OLG) iGaming platform.

Ontario Police Collaboration Uncovers Online Gaming Fraud Ring

The investigation, led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in collaboration with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), began in July 2022 when reports of identity theft surfaced regarding the OLG’s online gaming site, olg.ca. 

Subsequent allegations of fraudulent activity on the platform’s sports betting section were reported to AGCO in August of the same year.

Following months of investigation, on July 13, 2023, law enforcement executed a warranted search at a residence in North York. The operation resulted in the seizure of multiple electronic devices and fraudulent documents linked to non-gaming criminal activities, according to an OPP release.

On December 21, 2023, the police formally charged two individuals in connection with the case. Ernesto Rasing, aged 38 and a resident of Toronto, faces a slew of charges including fraud, identity theft, and possession of forged documents. 

Similarly, Elaiza Mae Paculanan, aged 20 and also from North York, has been charged with various offenses related to fraud and identity theft, along with an additional charge for violating probation.

Both accused individuals were subsequently released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto to answer the charges.

Ontario Authorities Encourage Reporting of Cybercrime Amid iGaming Fraud Crackdown

Ontario authorities urge anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to cybercrime or fraud to report it promptly to their local police department. Additionally, individuals can utilize the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system.

The arrests underscore the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat fraudulent activities within the online gaming sector. As the popularity of online gaming continues to rise, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure the integrity and security of these platforms.

At the same time, Ontario’s iGaming market has seen a resurgence, with significant increases in metrics reported in the third quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year. This includes a notable rise in total wagers, reaching $17.2 million, and total gaming revenue of $658 million, indicating a 22% increase over the previous quarter. 

These figures account for the operations of 49 legal operators and 72 gaming websites in the province, with approximately 1.2 million active player accounts recorded during this period.

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Great Canadian Entertainment has announced that Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is set to open June 20, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. local time. The highly anticipated opening, next to Woodbine Racetrack, will open a huge gaming floor of more than 300,000 square feet and all of the Las Vegas-style amenities Canadians have come to expect from the legacy lottery casino operator.

Meanwhile, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario subsidiary, iGaming Ontario’s (iGO) spokespersons were at the Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto last week and iGO’s Martha Otton, executive director told a panel discussion and its sizable audience that the sectors participants are “crushing it”.

Neither Great Canadian’s press release nor iGaming Ontario’s comments addressed any possibility of unmovable objects being met with irresistible forces.

Landmark Development

Great Canadian Entertainment is betting on its in-person offering of entertainment, massive gaming space with over 4,800 slot machines and 145 table games situated in 328,000 square feet of gaming space – Canada’s largest casinos and one of the biggest in North America capturing in-person-gamblers’ attention and holding it through other amenities as well on 33-acres of fun with a great location near the Highways 401 and 427 interchange.

In addition to innovative modern architecture and a location adjacent to the popular Woodbine Racetrack, visitors will also find a 400-room hotel, a vast array of on-site dining, and a 5,000-person live entertainment venue.

While the new venue there cost some $1 billion it is also expected to generate about $500m in annual economic impact.

Great Canadian Entertainment CEO, Matthew Anfinson said of the opening: “We are thrilled to announce that our highly anticipated new casino will open on June 20. With meticulous attention to detail, state-of-the-art amenities, and a commitment to exceptional guest experiences, our landmark entertainment resort is a game-changer in Toronto,” said the CEO.

The company noted that the existing Casino Woodbine would continue operations without interruption until the new venue opens for a seamless transition. The release also noted that there will be a “PlaySmart Centre on the gaming floor, filled with engaging interactive tools and valuable responsible gambling resources available for all players.”

Ontario iGaming “Crushing It”

While the first quarter of business for iGaming in the province isn’t complete, so there are no final numbers available yet, Martha Otton of iGo told attendees at the Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto on Wednesday that GGR or gross gaming revenues were “3.5 times as large as Q1 last year, “ according to a report on CDC Gaming Reports.

Other panel members discussing the first full year of legalized and regulated iGaming in the province included board chair of iGaming Ontario, Dave Forestell; Ontario Attorney General, Doug Downey, and Tom Mungham, chief executive officer of AGCO – the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario a crown agency responsible for the actual regulation of alcohol, gaming and horse racing sectors and cannabis retail stores in Ontario.

A study commissioned by iGO and provided by Deloitte was released at the discussion which estimates some 12,000 “full-time-equivalent” jobs had been created by liberalizing online gambling in Ontario and had boosted the province’s GDP contribution of some CAD$1.6 billion with $900m of that on labor income.

Of the more than 12,000 jobs, Otton said: “…whether they’re direct or indirect jobs in the market and an average salary well above the provincial average. They’re good jobs for this province coming here.”

The Deloitte report, “Economic Contributions of Ontario’s Regulated iGaming Market,” not only examines the economic impact of a more openly competitive model in the province but also the decision to keep the lottery involved. The former model was run through a hybrid crown corporation with the government being one stakeholder and the Ontario Lottery being the other. The current model brings dozens of competitors to the market while maintaining ties to the lottery.

The Deloitte report projected the potential for an additional 10,000 new jobs, a further boost to $4.7 billion in annual GDP, and the possibility of breaking the $2b mark in government revenues within the first decade of operations.

The report said that igaming employment is over 40% more lucrative than private sector employment with average earnings of over $100,000 per year and noted that some sectors participating include those with skills in mathematics, technology, engineering, and science.

Government sector benefits would include a boost in revenue from last year’s $470 million provincial earrings to nearly one and a half billion in revenue in 2031-32 based on the 20% revenue-share model used in Ontario; federal revenue increasing to ^47m from $238m, and a nearly two-fold increase in revenue for Ontario municipalities from $54m to $115m.

Source: Ontario’s regulated online gaming market generates 12,000 full-time jobs, CAD$1.6B economic impact, in first year, CDC Gaming Reports, June 14, 2023

Great Canadian to open Casino Resort Toronto on June 20, G3 Newswire, June 14, 2023

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The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is expected to open its doors this summer. The announcement pleased many industry participants and punters were happy with the prospect. However, First Nation considered it part of a behavioral pattern that might threaten its economic health, as more gaming establishments in the area means a more fragmented market share distribution.

First Nation Says Original Agreements Are Disrespected

MSIFN’s Chief Kelly LaRocca said in an interview with CDC Gaming Reports that new casinos in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are eating away from the Great Blue Heron Casino (GBH) market share. GBH is owned by MSIFN and is operated by Great Canadian Entertainment. The operator is also running Woodbine Casino, which is the one being expanded later this summer.

Additionally, according to the interview with CDC Gaming, MSIFN puts this move in context by looking at how gambling expansion in the area leads to reduced market share for GBH. This, in turn, means that the revenue-share agreement that MSIFN and GBH have can hardly be observed in a climate of an expanding gaming scene, shrinking the MSIFN-owned casino’s positions.

Having GBH operated at the level of Great Canadian’s other operations is a cornerstone for the issues raised. The goal that MSIFN laid out for GBH was to have the facility updated, with non-gaming amenities being a special consideration. Furthermore, reopening the 2016 agreement is seen as a necessity at this point, and MSIFN is scheduled for mediation with the government in the summer.

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is – in essence – the expansion of an already existing casino – the Woodbine Casino. Chief LaRocca also listed leaving the Ajax casino open as a sign of continued behavioral trend for the government. The Pickering Casino Resort opened recently, which was also noted by MSIFN as a sign of continued disrespect towards the original agreements of the Natives.

GTA Casino Expansion Causes Controversies

Pickering Casino Resort cost the Great Canadian Group C$500 million (approximately $373 million) and is another instance of the group’s name coming up during the CDC Gaming interview. The gaming and hospitality group assumed GBH operations from the First Nation in 2016. It also operates the slots at Ajax and Woodbine casinos.

The entertainment resort scheduled for later this year is a $1 billion project, which synergizes well with the Woodbine Racetrack to which it’s adjacent. It also fits Great Canadian’s plans for offering the very best entertainment, hospitality and dining available in the area. The Ontario government and the crown corporation (OLG) is also thrilled about the opportunity and the new jobs this creates.

However, it seems that the upcoming Toronto casino resort might also be causing some additional headaches in dealing with the issues that Chief LaRocca raised in the interview. At any rate, Toronto’s gaming scene as a whole is evolving, and the Greater Toronto Area – it seems – is by no means an exception, so dealing with these problems is necessary but also par for the course.

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The new gambling venue to be opened by Great Canadian Entertainment this summer will be called Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, the gaming and hospitality giant has announced.

Once completed, the CA$1 billion entertainment hub next to Woodbine Racetrack will house a state-of-the-art casino, a 400-room hotel, a 5,000-seat live entertainment venue, and a range of on-site dining options.

READ: Best Canadian casino sites in 2023

Meanwhile, the current Casino Woodbine will remain operational without any disruptions until the grand opening of the new destination.

Matthew Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment, said, “We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to introduce an entirely new, world-class experience in Canada that will bring together the best in casino gaming, exceptional live entertainment, dining, and accommodation in one very special place.

“We are very excited to reveal more about what this landmark destination will feature and what our guests can expect in the coming weeks, including the announcement of an opening date. 

“This project has been several years in the making, and we are thrilled that we are close to bringing it to life.”

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will feature a PlaySmart Centre, in collaboration with Ontario Lottery and Gaming, that will provide players with resources and expertise on responsible gambling to assist them in establishing and sustaining healthy gaming practices.

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