Gaming licensing in Ontario – skill or chance?

Gilbertson Davis LLPAdministrative Law0 Comments

Ontario’s Court of Appeal ruled in Play for Fun Studios Inc. v. Ontario (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario), 2019 ONCA 648 that ‘GotSkill’ is illegal under Ontario’s gaming, alcohol and racing legislation. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario operates under provincial law controlling the grant of both liquor and gaming licences. The Commission submitted an application on appeal, arguing ‘GotSkill’ was a game of chance or mixed chance and skill, not simply skill. As a game of chance or mixed skill and chance, the regulation of ‘GotSkill’ would fall under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Appeal Court overturned the lower court’s decision and ruled ‘GotSkill’ was a game of ‘mixed chance and skill’ and was therefore prohibited in unlicensed premises; forcing over 200 licensees to remove ‘GotSkill’ from their premises. The Court heard submissions on whether ‘GotSkill’ was a ‘game of chance’ or a ‘game of skill’ … Read More