AGCO Eases Responsible Gambling Training Requirements for Ontario’s Gaming Sector

As of July 10, 2025, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has implemented an important update to its responsible gambling (RG) training standards. The new rules eliminate the need for Registrar approval of RG training programs for employees working in casinos and lottery operations. This change aligns with the AGCO’s broader strategy of creating a more flexible and outcomes-based approach to responsible gambling education, making it easier for operators to develop and update training materials tailored to best practices.

Under the updated Standard 2.5, the AGCO no longer requires specific approval from the Registrar, providing casino and lottery operators with greater flexibility in how they deliver responsible gambling training. The main objectives of the training—ensuring that employees understand responsible gambling, recognize signs of gambling harm, and know how to support players—remain intact.

For Ontario’s gaming and lottery operators, this shift represents an opportunity to more efficiently update and improve their RG training programs. While they no longer need to seek Registrar approval for every training update, operators must continue to adhere to a few key requirements. All training must still be mandatory for employees, regularly refreshed, and based on established best practices for responsible gambling.

The AGCO emphasized that the update is intended to encourage innovation in training while maintaining high standards for player protection. Operators are expected to provide training that equips staff to understand their role in preventing gambling harm and assisting those at risk.

This update is part of the AGCO’s broader, outcomes-based regulatory model, which seeks to focus on results rather than procedures. By removing the bureaucratic step of Registrar approval, the AGCO is enabling operators to make quicker, more responsive changes to their training programs. This flexibility will help gaming establishments keep pace with new trends in player behavior and ensure that employees are better prepared to protect players from gambling-related harm.

The move also aligns with the AGCO’s broader goal of improving consistency across different gaming sectors in Ontario. This includes iGaming, land-based casinos, and lottery retailers, all of which will now have greater uniformity in their approach to responsible gambling education.

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In related news, Ontario’s gambling landscape is poised for a significant overhaul as the Ontario Gaming Minister, Stan Cho, announced a comprehensive review of the province’s iGaming and land-based gaming sectors. The review, which was unveiled during his keynote at the Canadian Gaming Summit on June 19, 2025, comes in response to the rapid growth of Ontario’s gaming market, including the rise of iGaming since its launch in 2022.

The review will focus on improving the efficiency of the regulatory framework, enhancing coordination between online and physical gaming sectors, and ensuring stronger economic returns. Cho emphasized that the review would be guided by input from industry experts, rather than political considerations, aiming for decisions rooted in expertise.

This review aligns closely with the AGCO’s recent updates to RG training standards, highlighting the government’s broader commitment to improving the regulation and management of Ontario’s gaming industry. With more players entering the market and the continued rise of digital gaming platforms, these efforts aim to balance player protection with industry growth.

Source:

, agco.ca, July 10, 2025.