Ontario Regulator Moves to Suspend PointsBet Over NBA Bet-Rigging Fallout
In a significant regulatory action, Ontario's gambling authority has initiated proceedings to temporarily suspend the registration of PointsBet's Canadian subsidiary. This move comes after the online sportsbook allegedly failed to report suspicious wagering activity connected to a 2024 bet-rigging scheme involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter.
First Suspension Since Legalization
The proposed five-day suspension marks a historic moment for Ontario's regulated gambling market. This represents the first time the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has taken such disciplinary action against a sportsbook operator since the province fully legalized online sports betting in 2022.
The regulatory scrutiny intensified after allegations surfaced in 2024 regarding insider betting tied to Porter's activities during his time with the Raptors. Following these revelations, the AGCO directed all regulated sports gambling platforms to disclose whether they had offered bets on Porter's performance statistics.
PointsBet's Changing Position
Initially, PointsBet Canada informed regulators that it had not offered any wagers on Porter's statistics. However, the company reversed this position in October 2024 following a U.S. Justice Department indictment that exposed a broader insider-betting conspiracy.
Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer of PointsBet Canada, expressed disappointment with the proposed sanction in a statement issued through the company's Australian parent organization. "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," Vanderwel stated, adding that the failure to disclose the Porter bets was unintentional.
The Porter Betting Scheme
The betting scheme centered on Porter's deliberate actions to manipulate game outcomes for gambling purposes. The former Raptors player would intentionally remove himself from games citing injuries or illness, enabling conspirators to profit from wagers predicting his poor performance on those specific days.
Porter's involvement in the scheme resulted in serious legal consequences:
- He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a U.S. federal court in 2024
- The National Basketball Association imposed a lifetime ban on Porter
- His actions triggered widespread regulatory investigations across multiple jurisdictions
Regulatory Pattern and Industry Impact
The PointsBet case represents part of a broader pattern of regulatory enforcement in Ontario's gambling market. In January 2026, the AGCO fined FanDuel Canada for failing to report suspicious betting and match-fixing activity related to Czech table tennis tournaments.
PointsBet has faced previous sanctions from the Ontario regulator for violations involving advertising practices and responsible gaming standards. The company is reportedly considering an appeal of the current suspension proposal.
This regulatory action highlights the increasing scrutiny sportsbook operators face in maintaining integrity standards within legal gambling markets. As online sports betting continues to expand across Canada, regulators are demonstrating their commitment to enforcing compliance and protecting the integrity of both sports competitions and gambling markets.
