Ontario's Alcohol and Gaming Commission will take over the investigation of all suspicious lottery wins — including those by lottery retailers — starting in January.

"After months of preparation for this important transition, we are announcing that all insider and any suspicious wins will be fully investigated by OPP staff assigned to AGCO for any criminal wrongdoing," Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. CEO Kelly McDougald said Tuesday in a prepared statement.

The move by the OLGC is part of its effort to recover from a scandal sparked by a disproportionate number of jackpot wins by so-called lottery insiders.

The new steps, McDougald said, will help restore public confidence in the system.

"We are committed to making sustainable and lasting changes to protect customers who enjoy playing our lottery games," she said.

Among the new measures will be a full review and investigation of insider and suspicious wins of more than $10,000. Those wins will be automatically turned over to the AGCO. 

And beginning in January, "a news release will be issued announcing every insider win over $10,000 … with delay of the prize payment for 30 days. This will give anyone with concerns about the win an opportunity to come forward," said a news release from the lottery corporation.

The AGCO will start regulating the lottery corporation in January and customers will also be required to sign the back of their tickets to crack down on potential fraud.
  
The moves follow the recommendations of Ontario's ombudsman who delivered a scathing report on the corporation earlier this year.
  
Andre Marin said the government-owned corporation is too cosy with the thousands of men and women who sell its products and who also happen to be among its best customers.