Ontario Regulator Fines Online Sportsbook After Gambler Loses $500K in Under 3 Months

Author:

Patricia Bell

|Published: April 25th, 2024

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has imposed a substantial fine on PointsBet, an online sportsbook, for multiple alleged violations.

PointsBet was penalized $150,000 for failing to adhere to Ontario's responsible gambling standards.

AGCO stated that this is the largest penalty the commission has issued since April 2022, when the province began regulating igaming markets.

The violations include failing to intervene when a player was potentially experiencing gambling harm, not enforcing the required 24-hour period after the player cancelled their daily deposit limit, and continuing to deposit marketing credits without active consent.

These breaches occurred as the player lost over $500,000 in less than three months.

The AGCO emphasized that these incidents highlight PointsBet's failure to ensure its employees understood the importance of responsible gambling and were adequately trained to assist players experiencing harm from gambling.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO's Chief Executive Officer, stressed the obligation of igaming operators to proactively monitor their patrons' play for signs of high-risk gambling and take appropriate actions to intervene and reduce potential gambling-related harms.

According to AGCO, PointsBet has the right to appeal through an independent tribunal.