PointsBet has agreed to a reduced two-day suspension of its gaming site in Ontario, Canada, following a regulatory settlement with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The resolution concludes a formal inquiry launched earlier in the year regarding supervisory controls and suspicious betting activity.
In February, the AGCO initially proposed a five-day suspension against the Australian operator’s North American subsidiary. The regulator alleged a systemic failure to properly monitor, detect, document, and report suspicious betting patterns. The investigation was tied directly to wagers placed concerning professional basketball player Jontay Porter, who was banned for life by the NBA in 2024 after major breaches of sports betting regulations.
Regulatory terms and independent audit requirements
Revealing the conclusion of the matter, the AGCO confirmed that PointsBet accepted a two-day suspension of its Ontario platform. In addition to the temporary suspension, the operator agreed to stringent compliance enhancements designed to strengthen its internal control environment.
The regulator stated:
“In addition, to enhance its control environment, PointsBet has agreed, as part of this resolution, that it will undertake an independent audit using an auditor and audit methodology approved by the AGCO and commits to addressing any findings. The remediation will be independently validated.”
When the AGCO first announced its proposed sanction in February, PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel expressed dissatisfaction with the initial penalty. At the time, Vanderwel noted that the operator was disappointed by the proposed sanction, adding that the company believed the penalty was disproportionate given PointsBet Canada’s collective actions and strong compliance record. Despite initial objections, the final settlement avoids a longer five-day disruption while establishing a clear framework for third-party compliance validation.
Upholding integrity in regulated markets
The resolution highlights the growing scrutiny facing sportsbooks regarding real-time monitoring and integrity safeguards in newly opened provincial markets. With regulated bodies like the AGCO enforcing strict accountability for suspicious betting patterns, operators must demonstrate proactive compliance and transparent reporting channels to maintain their operating licenses.
