According to a post on Reddit, new customers of the government-owned gaming company Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) have been waiting since Super Bowl weekend at the beginning of February to withdraw money from their accounts.
The customers in question forwarded the necessary documents, but more than a month later, they received an email from the OLG stating:
Ontario Gamblers Unable To Cash Out Winnings Since Super Bowl Ontario Gamblers Unable To Cash Out Winnings Since Super BowlDue to a significant influx of new players on OLG.ca, our accounts team is facing a higher than usual number of bank account verification requests. Coupled with a necessity for enhanced monitoring processes, there are considerable delays in these verifications. We are currently working to resolve the issue and cannot provide an estimated resolution date at this time. Contacting customer care will not expedite this process and we currently have no new information to share.
Multiple customers have stated online that they have escalated the issue with OLG’s customer service department. Many of those state that documents had been submitted for a month or more and that winnings from bets were not available for withdrawals during that time – also noting that funds were not frozen and that they could still place wagers.
Gambling Industry News reached out to the The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) – responsible for regulating gaming in the province in accordance with Ontario’s Gaming Control Act, 1992) – for comment on the delays at OLG.
The regulator noted that all iGaming operators in Ontario are required to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming with particular reference to Sections 5.69 and 5.70 of the Standards for information on player account deposits and withdrawals.
Ontario Gamblers Unable To Cash Out Winnings Since Super Bowl5.71 Players are permitted to withdraw funds from their player account in an accurate and complete fashion and as soon as is practicable, subject to appropriate authorization and verification.
UPDATED: March 13th
When asked for a comment, OLG told Gambling Industry News:
Ontario Gamblers Unable To Cash Out Winnings Since Super Bowl Ontario Gamblers Unable To Cash Out Winnings Since Super Bowl