Ontario Regulator Suspends PointsBet Amid Jontay Porter Betting Scandal
Ontario’s gambling regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has proposed a five-day suspension of PointsBet’s iGaming registration. This action follows allegations that the betting platform failed to identify and report suspicious betting related to the ongoing Jontay Porter scandal.
Background of the Jontay Porter Betting Scandal
The AGCO’s proposed suspension marks a significant step in Ontario’s regulated gambling environment. It relates to what the commission describes as a “systemic failure to monitor, document, and report unusual betting patterns” connected to a 2024 bet-rigging scheme. This scheme has drawn the attention of the FBI and has spurred a major criminal investigation in the U.S.
Initial Response from PointsBet
In early 2024, after concerns about insider betting involving Jontay Porter, then a forward with the Toronto Raptors, the AGCO instructed all Ontario sportsbooks to verify whether they offered betting on Porter and whether any suspicious activities were detected. PointsBet reportedly took a significant amount of time to respond, ultimately asserting that they had not offered bets on Porter.
However, in October 2025, following an indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice that outlined extensive insider betting operations, the AGCO requested operators to reassess any suspicious betting activity related to Porter markets. Eventually, PointsBet admitted to offering bets on Porter after 18 months of initial denials.
Regulatory Findings
The AGCO’s investigation revealed indicators of suspicious betting that should have been reported at the time. Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, stated, “Safeguarding the integrity of sports and Ontario’s sports betting market is a top priority for the AGCO.” The commission insists that operators must have robust systems in place to detect and report unusual activity promptly.
PointsBet’s Reaction to the Suspension
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, PointsBet expressed disappointment regarding the AGCO’s decision. It attributed the issues to an initial inaccurate response made during an organizational transition, which it claimed was due to human error rather than an intent to withhold crucial information. The company is currently reviewing its options, including the right to a hearing with the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
Previous Sanctions Against PointsBet
This is not PointsBet’s first encounter with regulatory penalties. The AGCO previously imposed fines in May 2022 and November 2023 for various violations, including issues related to advertising and responsible gambling standards.
What’s Next for PointsBet?
- PointsBet has 15 days to appeal the proposed suspension.
- The company is assessing its compliance efforts in light of the investigation.
- It remains committed to cooperating fully with AGCO.
This situation underscores the complexities within the sports betting landscape in Ontario, especially as authorities strive to maintain integrity against rising betting scandals.
