Gamblor’s World

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2007

Gambling Watch Network Reviews Draft

Electronic Gaming Equipment Minimum Technical Standards

- Finds AGCO Has Been Routinely Approving Unfair & Deceptive Slot Machines

FROM: Canada’s Gambling Watch Network

• We now know, through our review of Ontario’s draft Electronic Gaming Equipment Technical Standards, that Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs), including slot machines, have been routinely approved by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) without consideration of Criminal Code provisions and consumer protection principals and legislation. This has lead to the routine approval and operation of unfair, deceptive and fraudulent EGMs - this situation is a scandal and unacceptable.

• The draft standards appear to be a further attempt to legitimize concealed, unfair and deceptive features and processes within EGMs that would otherwise be illegal under the Criminal Code (fraud/cheating at play) and general consumer protection legislation, including the Ontario Consumer Protection Act.

• Sections of the draft standards can be described as a scheme intended to circumvent provisions of the Criminal Code, Competition Act & Ontario Consumer Protection Act.

• Game Fairness objectives that follow consumer protection principals should be included in the new technical standards so these standards can be used to ensure game safety, fairness, honesty and compliance with all Canadian laws.

• Consumers should benefit from the highest level of protection that exists, whether via specialized gaming technical standards or consumer protection legislation, such as the Competition Act and Ontario Consumer Protection Act.

• Gambling Watch demands that the AGCO start enforcing compliance of all laws when it come to approving EGMs, either through new technical standards or separate compliance and enforcement provisions.

• We have advised AGCO to immediately phase out unfair and deceptive EGMs and warn the public that these machines do not meet consumer protection standards.

• We have advised AGCO that all games with suspected “subliminal inducements” should be immediately shut down, regardless if these inducements are shown to work or not, since they are intended to deceive and are not in the public’s best interest.

• Open questions to all provincial political parties: “How will you manage this new lottery (slot fraud) scandal? How will you ensure EGMs comply with the Ontario Consumer Protection Act and other relevant legislation?

Full copies of Gambling Watch’s comments on the draft Ontario Electronic Gaming Equipment Minimum Technical Standards are available upon request.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Brian Yealland

yealland@post.queensu.ca
Spokesperson

Canada’s Gambling Watch Network
Roger Horbay

rogerh@gameplanit.com
Gambling Technology Advisor to

Canada’s Gambling Watch Network

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