Published on: February 12, 2026, at 06:47h.

Updated on: February 12, 2026, at 06:47h.

• PointsBet facing five-day operational ban due to betting oversight
• AGCO claims operator failed to report suspicious wagers linked to NBA incident
• Company cites human error and is considering an appeal

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has suggested that PointsBet Canada be suspended from operations for five days due to its alleged failure to adequately oversee, identify, and report questionable betting activities associated with the 2024 Jontay Porter betting controversy.

Jontay Porter, a former player for the Toronto Raptors, was given a lifetime ban from the NBA in April 2024 for disclosing confidential information to a gambling organization based in New York and intentionally underperforming in at least two games. Porter later pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Federal prosecutors in the U.S. allege that the group placed wagers against the outcome of Porter’s performances during games against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings, both of which resulted in losses for the Raptors. Court documents reveal that Porter had informed the group beforehand that he would exit each game claiming an injury.

Unusual Betting Patterns

Betting platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel detected abnormal betting behaviors and account activity in the lead-up to these games. This included significant increases in wagers related to Porter’s underperformance statistics that deviated from standard betting behavior.

These anomalies were reported to the NBA, leading to a federal investigation; however, AGCO claims that PointsBet failed to do the same.

Following the initial revelation of insider betting in March 2024, AGCO instructed all licensed operators to verify whether they had offered any markets related to Porter and to report all questionable betting activities.

Initially, PointsBet claimed it had not offered any such betting options, but changed its statement after the U.S. Department of Justice released indictments against Porter and members of the syndicate. This revised response came approximately 18 months after its first statement to the regulator.

‘Connected to the Conspiracy’

Upon examining PointsBet’s betting records, AGCO stated that it had discovered patterns that suggested a connection to the conspiracy, which should have been reported at the time of occurrence.

AGCO expressed that it expects its licensed operators to serve as a crucial initial defense in safeguarding the integrity of sports and the sports betting environment in Ontario, and to diligently monitor for unusual and suspicious betting activity.

The prompt detection and reporting of such matters alerts sports leagues, integrity monitors, regulators, and law enforcement to potential integrity issues, the regulator stated, “It also notifies gaming operators worldwide, enabling them to safeguard their patrons against bets lacking integrity.”

‘Human Error’ Explanation

In a statement to Casino.org, PointsBet Canada expressed its “disappointment” regarding AGCO’s proposal. The operator described the initial “incorrect response” as a consequence of “human error” during an organizational restructuring, rather than an intentional effort to conceal information.

“Once we identified the accurate data, we disclosed it immediately, fully cooperated with the investigation, and proactively engaged with the regulator,” a spokesperson conveyed. “We respectfully believe that the suggested sanction is excessive considering the circumstances, our subsequent corrective measures, and our solid compliance history, and we are thoughtfully exploring all available options.”

This includes the right to appeal the matter before the independent License Appeal Tribunal, the company indicated.

PointsBet has a window of 15 days to contest the proposed suspension to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. The penalty will only be implemented if the situation is unresolved or upheld through that process.