Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is an arm’s length regulatory Agency of the Ontario government. It reports to the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General (AGCO). Responsibilities of the AGCO include the administration of:

• Liquor Licence Act
• Gaming Control Act, 1992
• Wine Content and Labelling Act, 2000
• Liquor Control Act (Section 3(1)b, e, f, g and 3(2)a)
• Charity Lottery Licensing Order-in-Council 2688/93

History

The AGCO was established February 23, 1998 by the Government of Ontario under the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act of 1996. This Act transferred responsibility for the Liquor Licence Act and the Gaming Control Act to AGCO. As a result of the establishment of the AGCO, the Government of Ontario passed complementary legislation to extinguish the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario and the Gaming Control Commission.

The Ontario government announced in the 2015 Budget that they intend to introduce the sale of beer in up to 450 grocery stores across the province. The AGCO is responsible for authorizing eligible grocers to sell beer and ensuring that beer is sold responsibly and in accordance with the applicable Acts and their respective regulations.

Mandate

The mandate of the AGCO is to:

• regulate the sale, service, and consumption of beverage alcohol;
• ensure that casino and charitable gaming is conducted in a manner that is socially responsible, and in the public interest.

External links

• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website