AGCO Initiates Action Against PointsBet Canada over Porter Case

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a Notice of Proposed Order to suspend PointsBet Canada’s iGaming registration for five days. The regulator alleges the operator failed to properly detect and report suspicious betting activity connected to former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter.

AGCO claims there was a systemic failure in PointsBet’s monitoring controls related to suspicious wagers from Porter. The proposed suspension is not immediate and will only take effect after a 15-day period, according to an AGCO spokesperson. PointsBet can appeal the decision to an independent tribunal within this same timeframe.

The action comes shortly after PointsBet Canada opened registration for online casino and sportsbook products in Alberta ahead of the province’s planned iGaming launch.

Background on Porter investigation

In April 2024, the National Basketball Association banned Porter for life after an internal investigation. It was revealed that he shared confidential information about his health with bettors and deliberately limited performances to influence player prop bets.

Porter pleaded guilty in July 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the United States. He admitted to withdrawing early from games so associates could profit from wagers.

The case was identified by an independent integrity monitoring firm and reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). This referral prompted criminal investigations into the details.

AGCO findings on the case

AGCO worked with the Ontario Provincial Police’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau to assess the matter. The regulator directed all licensed Ontario sportsbooks to confirm whether they had offered markets on Porter and whether any unusual activity had been escalated.

PointsBet initially informed AGCO that it had not offered wagers on Porter after a significant delay. However, the company acknowledged that such bets had been available, after a US federal indictment was unsealed in October 2025.

AGCO reviewed wagering data from PointsBet and identified betting patterns that should have been flagged and reported at the time.

Operator response and recent enforcement actions

AGCO CEO and Registrar, Dr. Karin Schnarr stated that it is compulsory for operators to have systems and trained staff to monitor and escalate suspicious activity. Otherwise, they will be subject to decisive actions from the regulator. 

According to Canadian Gaming Business’ report, PointsBet expressed “disappointment” with the decision. “There was an initial inaccurate response in March 2024 that was caused by human error during an organisational transition with no intent to withhold information,” a PointsBet spokesperson said. 

However, they disclosed the data immediately it was discovered, ensuring cooperation with the investigation and proactive engagement with the AGCO. PointsBet finds the proposed sanction disproportionate. Hence, the company will explore all options, including an independent Licence Appeal Tribunal hearing. 

This case represents AGCO’s second significant enforcement action in recent months. The regulator fined FanDuel CAD 350,000 in January 2026 for failing to identify suspicious betting activity linked to a Czech table tennis tournament.