Prime Skill Games CEO Responds to AGCO: Legal Action Coming
In an interview with Zamazonke.co.za, Matt Zamrozniak says his company won’t just be sitting back and abiding by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s (AGCO) decision.
Our machines are based on skill, not chance. As such, they do not fall under the category of gambling devices that require approval under AGCO’s gaming framework,” Zamrozniak said.
From the beginning, we invited AGCO’s technical team to evaluate our devices and provided access to all the necessary information. We maintained open communication and never received any formal feedback requiring changes or indicating noncompliance. There were no objections raised during this process. We continue to operate within the bounds of Ontario law and have documentation to prove it.
The AGCO contends the machines are unregulated and rely on chance similar to traditional slot machines.
“Unapproved gambling machines have no business being in convenience stores or other locations, particularly those that are available to children and youth,” said AGCO CEO Dr. Karin Schnarr. The AGCO said in its statement that gaming machines have been installed more and more into retail locations across North America.
Zamrozniak said his company was taken by surprise by the AGCO action. He added that there was no clear or direct warning issued regarding a province-wide removal.
“From the very beginning, our intent has been to cooperate and operate transparently,” he said. “We reached out proactively to engage with their team. Until now, we believed that dialogue was ongoing.”
Prime Skill Games is present in over 200 locations across Ontario, including in bars, convenience stores, and gas stations. There’s even one in a piercing studio.
Zamrozniak said the company had been growing quickly in Ontario and was in discussions with operators in Quebec and British Columbia to bring its product to those jurisdictions.
The impact of AGCO’s sudden and unverified actions is significant,” Zamrozniak said. “It has caused unnecessary panic among business owners, resembling sabotage more than regulation. We want dialogue. We want to cooperate. But AGCO is denying us that opportunity. Despite this, our company will endure. We will prove that we are both legal and resilient.
Zamrozniak said his company was ready to collaborate with the AGCO, and that he’s deeply disappointed by AGCO’s conduct.” As a result, Zamrozniak said Prime is “now forced to take legal action, not just to prove that our machines are fully legal, which we will demonstrate in court with expert testimony and legal documentation, but also to hold the AGCO and its individual inspectors accountable.
Machines to Be Removed
“We will be pursuing legal claims against them for the unlawful and damaging actions they’ve taken,” Zamrozniak said, adding that the AGCO failed to properly inspect the machines in question. “They never opened a real dialogue. We will show that this is a targeted, illegal attempt to remove us from the market.”
Zamrozniak says his company hasn’t received any formal notice, order, or directive from the AGCO requiring Prime Skill Games to remove machines from convenience stores or other locations.
“However, we’re hearing reports that AGCO inspectors are visiting locations and verbally pressuring business owners to remove our machines without presenting any official documents,” he said. “This is deeply concerning and unlawful. We are in active communication with our retail partners and taking a cautious, case-by-case approach until the matter is resolved.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prime Skill Games CEO Matt Zamrozniak has stated that his company’s machines are based on skill, not chance, and will continue to fight against AGCO’s decision to remove them from Ontario convenience stores. The company has received no formal notice or directive from the AGCO requiring the removal of their machines, but is taking steps to protect its interests in court.