PointsBet Canada Faces Suspension Over Porter Scandal

PointsBet Canada is considering an appeal against a proposed five-day suspension of its online casino and sportsbook operations following allegations it failed to properly report suspicious betting activity involving former NBA player Jontay Porter.

Regulator Alleges Systemic Monitoring Failures

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has cited what it describes as a “systemic failure” at the Australian operator’s North American subsidiary to “properly monitor, detect, document and report suspicious betting patterns.”

According to the AGCO, when regulators contacted licensees in early 2024 regarding allegations involving Porter—who was subsequently banned for life by the NBA, PointsBet initially stated, after a “significant delay,” that it had not accepted bets on the former Toronto Raptors player.

However, following revelations that the suspicious betting patterns were part of a broader insider betting scheme, the AGCO said PointsBet “acknowledged for the first time it had indeed offered betting on Porter” in the games under investigation.

The regulator emphasized that PointsBet’s wagering data was “central” to the investigation and “should have been detected and reported at the time the betting occurred.”

PointsBet Responds, Considers Appeal

In response to the proposed sanction, PointsBet Canada announced it is evaluating “all available options,” including filing an appeal with the Licence Appeal Tribunal within the required 15-day window.

“PointsBet Canada is disappointed by the AGCO’s proposed sanction and believe it is disproportionate given PointsBet Canada’s collective actions and strong compliance record,”

said CEO Scott Vanderwel.

Vanderwel acknowledged that the company’s initial response to the AGCO’s March 2024 information request was incomplete, but characterized the error as unintentional. “Once the error was identified we immediately disclosed the correct information, in full, to the AGCO,” he stated.

The CEO emphasized that “PointsBet Canada have co-operated fully with the AGCO throughout its review.”

Operations Continue During Appeal Period

PointsBet Canada confirmed it will continue operating “in the ordinary course” while the appeal period remains open. The proposed suspension would affect both the operator’s online casino and sportsbook platforms in Ontario.

The case highlights the regulatory scrutiny facing operators in Ontario’s regulated gaming market, particularly regarding suspicious betting pattern detection and reporting requirements. The Jontay Porter scandal has prompted increased regulatory attention across multiple jurisdictions on operator monitoring systems and compliance protocols.

Source: iGaming Business