Prime Skill Ramps Up Legal and Communication Offensive
Posted on: December 13, 2025, 09:13h.
Last updated on: December 13, 2025, 09:15h.
- Prime Skill Games takes AGCO to court over decision to remove machines
- Company CEO say they are looking for a stay of enforcement until the court decides the matter on its merits
- AGCO removed Prime Skill machines from bars, restaurants and retail outlets around the province, saying they are illegal games of chance
Last time we checked in with Prime Skill Games CEO Matt Zamrozniak, he was ramping up for a court fight, looking to go at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) over their decision to remove what the AGCO said were unapproved electronic gambling machines from restaurants, bars and retail locations in the province.
That was last Fall. In July AGCO issued a missive saying they revoked seller registrations of a number of retailers in the GTA that were found to have been offering what the AGCO said were unapproved electronic gambling machines under the Prime Slot brand.
Then in September AGCO announced the results of a province-wide enforcement sweep of bars, restaurants and lottery retailers where 50 Prime Slot machines “which had been operating unlawfully and without regulatory oversight” were removed.
Legal and Communications Offensive
The AGCO said in a statement that while Prime Slots machines were marketed as games that only require skill their testing determined that the machines rely on chance, and because of that they are not permitted under Canadian law unless they are from a licensed supplier and used in a regulated space like a casino. A large part of the AGCO’s position is that minors should be protected from accessing the machines.
Prime Skill is built on strategy, focus, and decision-making, not chance, Zamrozniak said. His company has been on a legal and communications offensive to counter the AGCO’s efforts since then.
Protection of Minors
The company just issued a “Public Interest Compliance Declaration”. A central pillar there is the protection of minors.
We deliberately designed our system to create friction rather than attraction for underage users,” he said. That includes mandatory +19 markings, age verification by staff on every cash payout combined with player identification, elimination of anonymity, and a visual and behavioral design that avoids fast play, bright stimulation, and compulsive reinforcement.
Prime Skill Games has initiated court action. The objective there is to obtain a stay of enforcement until the court decides the matter on its merits, Zamrozniak added.
Prime Skill: No Communication
“AGCO has never issued a direct determination to us stating that our product is illegal, has never brought enforcement proceedings against us in court, and has never formally engaged with us to assess our system on its merits,” he said.
Throughout the process, AGCO has relied heavily on procedural maneuvers that have had the effect of delaying substantive review rather than resolving the core issue, which is whether our system complies with the law based on evidence and technical assessment.”
“That is precisely why the matter is now before the court. We are asking for clarity, fairness, and a proper evaluation, not special treatment.”
Stay of Enforcement
Zamrozniak said they are looking for an “evidence-based resolution” through the court process.
This upcoming week Zamrozniak said his company will launch a social media campaign as part of a cog in their communications offensive to focus on their current situation and the broader skill-game market.
“I decided to make everything public,” he said. “This includes our Declaration, our actions, and the current status of the court proceedings. Our reputation has been significantly harmed by AGCO’s conduct, and transparency is the only way to correct the record.
“As part of this effort, I have reached out directly to the Premier of Ontario, the Attorney General, the Ombudsman, and other public officials to request accountability and attention. My objective is simple. I want fairness, transparency, and justice.”
AGCO: Achieved Successful Removes of Machines
When asked for a comment on where things sit from their perspective, a spokesperson from the AGCO sent this:
Following internal testing by our gaming laboratory, the AGCO determined that Prime Slots machines constitute unapproved gambling devices. Acting on that determination, we directed licensed establishments and lottery retailers to remove Prime Slots terminals and have achieved successful removals across Ontario. We remain vigilant—through inspections and enforcement—to ensure illegal gambling machines, including Prime Slots, are not available in Ontario bars, restaurants or lottery retail locations.”
Zamrozniak said the AGCO action has “effectively immobilized” their operations in Ontario.
“The financial impact has been severe, to the point where discussing exact losses misses the larger issue,” he said. “We are operating on a knife edge. What has been even more damaging than the immediate financial harm is the prolonged uncertainty. Continuous delay and the absence of clear resolution make it impossible to plan, invest, or operate responsibly. That said, we are not backing down. We are prepared, we are resilient, and we are ready to see this through properly.”
U.S. Expansion
Zamrozniak added the company has begun monitoring the United States market, with a particular focus on Pennsylvania and Texas. Initial contacts have been made, representing a natural next step for the business.
“We are the only skill game system on the market that is designed around the public interest and the protection of minors,” he said. “I am prepared to prove that.”
No comments yet