Booming Games Fined for Auto-Play Feature

Booming Games, a popular developer in Canada, was fined by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for offering an auto-play feature on its slot titles. The feature was disabled after it was discovered, but that did not stop the AGCO from hitting Booming Games with a C$70,000 fine.

Why Was Booming Games Fined?

Booming Games, a well-known iGaming developer in Canada, was fined for offering an auto-play feature on some of its online slot games. Auto-play on slot games was banned in Ontario in 2021 to protect players.

The feature was available in multiple games developed by Booming Games, but auto-play was disabled after the AGCO discovered and reported it. However, the auto-play option was available on multiple titles for months before it was flagged.

In addition to offering the banned feature, the AGCO claims that Booming Games failed to properly test and monitor its slot options in Ontario, resulting in the hefty fine.

How Much Was Booming Games Fined?

The AGCO fined Booming Games C$70,000 (roughly $50,600 US) for violating the auto-play prohibition. The hefty fine is not the largest handed out by the AGCO recently, either. It fined Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) C$120,000 in June for using unauthorized software at multiple Ontario-based casinos.

Can Booming Games Appeal the Fine?

Yes, Booming Games has 15 days from the date the fine was issued to appeal it. If the iGaming developer chooses to appeal the decision, it can request a hearing with the independent License Appeal Tribunal. The fine was issued on August 20th, giving Dooming Games until next Friday, September 4th, to submit an appeal.

Why Is Auto-Play Banned in Ontario?

Ontario banned auto-play on slot games in 2021 as a player protection measure. Requiring players to manually make each spin slows down the pace of play. Playing more slowly helps players make more informed decisions and maintain good gambling habits.

Ontario has notoriously tough regulations for game designers, but they are in place for good reasons. These consumer protection measures help keep Ontario a safe place for players to enjoy their favorite casino games.

The ban on auto-play is not the only software requirement the AGCO has been focused on lately. It also requires games in Ontario to have a delay between spins and prohibits features that misrepresent losses as wins through misleading sounds or feedback.