Ontario suspends PointsBet after failure to detect Jontay Porter suspicious bets
Summary
Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has issued a Notice of Proposed Order to suspend PointsBet Canada’s iGaming registration for five days after finding the operator failed to detect, document and report suspicious betting activity tied to a 2024 bet-rigging scheme involving former NBA player Jontay Porter.
The regulator says PointsBet initially told authorities it had not taken bets related to Porter, but after a US Department of Justice indictment was released the operator acknowledged it had seen such bets. AGCO’s review of PointsBet’s data concluded clear indicators of suspicious activity existed and should have been reported at the time.
AGCO chief executive Dr Karin Schnarr emphasised that safeguarding sports integrity is a priority and that operators must have robust systems and training to detect and respond to integrity risks. This is the latest sanction for PointsBet in Ontario, following previous fines for advertising and responsible-gambling breaches.
Key Points
- AGCO has proposed a five-day suspension of PointsBet Canada’s iGaming registration over failures to detect and report suspicious bets.
- The suspicious activity related to a 2024 scheme involving Jontay Porter, who has been banned for manipulating play to benefit a gambler tied to organised crime.
- PointsBet initially denied offering such bets to AGCO but later acknowledged seeing them after a DoJ indictment.
- AGCO’s review found indicators of suspicious betting that should have been detected and reported at the time.
- PointsBet has been sanctioned previously in Ontario for advertising and responsible-gambling breaches, increasing regulatory scrutiny on the operator.
Context and relevance
This decision is notable because it marks a firm, precedent-setting enforcement action in Ontario’s regulated market. Regulators globally are sharpening focus on betting integrity after several high-profile insider-betting cases; Ontario’s move signals tougher oversight and lower tolerance for monitoring failures.
For compliance teams, operators and investors in iGaming, the ruling underscores heightened expectations for surveillance systems, staff training and timely reporting. It also emphasises reputational and operational risks where integrity controls are weak.
Why should I read this?
Short version: regulators are actually pegging operators for missed red flags. If you work in compliance, product or operations at a sportsbook — this is the kind of wake-up call that could save you a licence (or cost you one). Quick read, important consequences.
Author style
Punchy — this isn’t just another compliance story. It’s a clear example of regulator teeth: when detection fails, so do licences and reputations. Must-read for anyone responsible for integrity and risk.