The AGCO promotes compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and Registrar’s Standards to protect the public interest in alignment with government and ministry priorities. The following core activities enable the AGCO to fulfill its mandate effectively.
Licenses and Registrations
The charts below outline some of the AGCO’s licensing and registration activities, including the number of active licences and registrations in the fiscal year (FY) 2021-2022 and the number of special occasion permits issued during that time.
Alcohol
The AGCO licenses and regulates establishments that sell, serve or deliver liquor. In addition to establishments, the AGCO also licenses and regulates alcohol manufacturers, including by-the-glass, retail store, delivery, and temporary extension endorsements. The AGCO also administers the Special Occasion Permit (SOP) program, allowing for the sale and service of liquor at special occasions. In terms of compliance activities, the AGCO inspects, monitors, and educates licensed establishments to ensure compliance with the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 and regulations.
SOPs issued in FY2021-2022
Text version of Special Occasion Permits chart
Special Occasion Permits Issued 16,688 Private Event 15,106 Auction Event 49 Industry Promotional Event 126 Tailgate Event 4 Public Event 1,403
Cannabis
The AGCO licenses Cannabis Retail Store Operators and Managers, authorizes Cannabis Retail Stores, approves Cannabis retail employee training programs, and regulates the sale of recreational cannabis through privately run stores. Cannabis compliance activities include monitoring, inspections, audits, and providing education to authorized cannabis retail stores to ensure compliance with the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, its regulation, and the Registrar’s Standards for Cannabis Retail Stores.
Horse Racing
The AGCO regulates the conduct of horse racing at Ontario’s licensed racetracks through the Rules of Racing for Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse breeds, exercising authority for the overall governance of horse racing in Ontario. The AGCO also licenses and regulates individuals and businesses involved in the horse racing industry, including processing applications from racing participants and for racetracks and teletheatre locations and conducting due diligence reviews and investigations of applicants. Lastly, the agency promotes safety and consistency for horse racing participants and equine athletes.
The AGCO ensures compliance with the Rules of Racing by having Race Officials present to officiate races and investigating alleged rule infractions. The AGCO supports the health and welfare of horses and horse racing participants by conducting out-of-competition drug testing and inspections to ensure appropriate use of therapeutic drugs. The AGCO also collaborates with the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) who oversees the post-race equine drug testing program to prevent the misuse of equine drugs. The AGCO conducts inspections and/or investigations of positive tests, and subsequently holds reviews in order to determine penalties as per the Rules of Racing.
The Horse Racing Appeal Panel, an independent adjudicative tribunal, the members of which are appointed by the AGCO Board, hears appeals of rulings made by Judges, Stewards, and Racing Officials under the Rules of Racing.
Lottery and Gaming
Licensing and Registration activities for lottery, gaming, and internet gaming sectors include registering operators, suppliers, retailers/sellers, and gaming assistants. In partnership with licensing authorities of municipal and First Nations with an OIC, the AGCO administers the regulatory framework governing the issuance of charitable lottery licences (e.g., bingo, raffle, and break open ticket events). The AGCO also approves rules of play or changes to rules of play for games of chance conducted and managed by the OLG and licenses games of chance at fairs and exhibitions. In addition, the AGCO works to ensure excluded persons (i.e., youth and self-excluded individuals) do not access gaming premises in Ontario pursuant to the Gaming Control Act, 1992.
Compliance activities for the lottery and gaming sector include ongoing regulatory assurance activities, including inspecting, monitoring and conducting regular audits of casinos, internet gaming, charitable gaming events/facilities, and retail locations where OLG lottery products are sold for compliance with the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and its regulation, the Registrar’s Standards, and licence/registration requirements established by the Registrar. The AGCO ensures the safe, responsible and lawful operation of the expanded igaming market consistent with the Gaming Control Act, 1992. The agency also arbitrates lottery disputes.
The AGCO also tests, approves, and monitors slot machines and gaming and lottery management systems.
In terms of internet gaming, the AGCO:
- Conducts eligibility assessments to determine whether applicants are suitable to be registered as operators or gaming-related suppliers, which includes independent testing labs (ITLs) and independent integrity monitors.
- Outlines technical standards that are used by Independent Test Laboratories (ITL) to test and certify, among other things, online games available for Ontario players.
- Conducts ongoing regulatory assurance activities, including regular audits, testing and site visits, to assess compliance with the GCA and the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
Educational Activities
The AGCO proactively provides education to all sectors and those who are regulated to increase their understanding of regulatory obligations and improve overall compliance. The chart below outlines the number of targeted compliance-focussed educational activities conducted by the AGCO during the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Text version of Education Activities chart
Education Activites 1,605 Liquor—Eligibility Review 617 Liquor—Risk Based Licensing 7 Liquor—Education 287 Cannabis Licensing 688 Horse Racing 6
In addition to targeted educational activities, the AGCO regularly attends industry events and conferences throughout the year. Attendance at these events allows the AGCO to provide in-person education and support to stakeholders via panel presentations, keynote speakers and trade show booths. Representatives from across the organization, including individuals from the AGCO’s licensing and registration, policy and compliance teams, attend these events together to offer holistic, direct and timely education. As the industries the AGCO regulates continue to rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic, support and education from the AGCO plays an integral role in their recovery and successful compliance with the law.