PointsBet Fights Ontario Suspension Over Jontay Porter Betting Case

PointsBet Canada plans to challenge a proposed five day suspension in Ontario following a dispute with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario tied to betting activity involving former NBA player Jontay Porter.

Good to Know

• AGCO proposed a five day suspension of PointsBet operator registration in Ontario.
• Case relates to 2024 wagers connected to banned NBA player Jontay Porter.
• PointsBet will seek review before the Independent License Appeal Tribunal.

Tension between operator and regulator centers on reporting timelines. AGCO alleges that PointsBet did not promptly notify authorities about suspicious wagers that may have pointed to irregular betting activity tied to Porter.

PointsBet confirmed it will request a hearing before an independent tribunal to contest the sanction. Company leadership argues the penalty does not reflect the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We have a strong compliance record in Ontario and remain fully committed to the highest standards of integrity and player protection,” said Scott Vanderwel, PointsBet Canada CEO. “We look forward to presenting our case at the (Independent License Appeal Tribunal).”

Ontario remains one of the most closely watched regulated sports betting markets in North America. Since launch of the open iGaming framework in April 2022, dozens of licensed operators have entered the province under oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario. Strict reporting standards require sportsbooks to flag unusual wagering patterns that could indicate match manipulation or insider activity.

PointsBet launched in Ontario in April 2022 and says it has cooperated fully throughout the regulatory review. Company statements describe the incident as isolated and tied to human error rather than broader compliance gaps.

According to the operator, no intentional withholding of information occurred. Management says staff submitted required details as soon as internal review identified the reporting issue.

Regulators take a different view. AGCO asserts that failure to report suspicious betting activity in a timely manner may have delayed discovery of unlawful conduct connected to the Porter case. Integrity monitoring sits at the center of the Ontario sports betting framework, especially after several high profile investigations across professional sports leagues in recent years.

PointsBet maintains that the proposed sanction overstates impact of a single lapse. Company representatives characterize the five day suspension as disproportionate when measured against overall compliance performance.

Independent License Appeal Tribunal will now review the matter if a formal hearing proceeds. Outcome could clarify expectations for real time reporting obligations across Ontario online sportsbooks and shape how regulators treat similar incidents going forward.

FAQ

Why did AGCO propose a suspension for PointsBet Canada?

Regulator claims the operator did not promptly report suspicious wagers tied to Jontay Porter in 2024.

How long is the proposed suspension?

AGCO proposed a five day suspension of operator registration in Ontario.

What is PointsBet position?

Company argues the incident resulted from human error, not systemic failure, and says it cooperated fully with investigators.

Who will review the case?

Independent License Appeal Tribunal will hear the matter if the appeal proceeds.

When did PointsBet launch in Ontario?

PointsBet began operations in Ontario in April 2022 under the regulated iGaming framework.

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