Full Steam Ahead for PointsBet Alberta Despite AGCO Suspension
Posted on: February 19, 2026, 02:33h.
Last updated on: February 19, 2026, 02:33h.
- AGCO suspended PointsBet Canada last week, connected to Jontay Porter betting scandal
- PointsBet one of the first operators to set up Alberta pre-registration platform
- No word yet on PointsBet Canada appeal after AGCO action
While PointsBet Canada weighs an appeal after having its operations suspended last week by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the expectation is its full steam ahead for the company’s Alberta expansion plans, according to a source.
AGCO announced last week it had a issued a Notice of Proposed Order to suspend PointsBet Canada’s igaming registration for five days, as a result of what AGCO said was the company’s alleged systemic failure to properly monitor, detect, document and report suspicious betting patterns around disgraced former NBA player Jontay Porter, who manipulated his on-court performance while a member of the Toronto Raptors in 2024 so gamblers could cash in prop bets.
The AGCO action was a first for the Ontario regulated igaming market.
Suspension of Operations
Porter, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and is facing up to 20 years in prison, is awaiting sentencing and has been suspended for life by the NBA.
There was a feeling among some people in the industry that the suspension was an over-reach, even extreme, and that PointsBet Canada was being scapegoated.
PointsBet Canada has 15 days (end of day Feb. 27) to appeal the AGCO’s actions to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, an adjudicative body that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
Potential Appeal
We went to PointsBet Canada for a quote on where things sit with an appeal, and was told there would be no quote from the company while they decided if they were appealing or not.
One question is if PointsBet Canada’s plans to score a licence with Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis to operate in that province’s new regulated igaming market have been negatively impacted by the AGCO’s actions. The Alberta market is set to launch this spring or summer, according to government sources there.
Digital gaming companies looking to launch in Alberta go through a dual application process between AGLC and the Alberta iGaming Corporation. AGLC registers interested iGaming operators (due diligence, compliance and integration with the centralized self-exclusion program). Once they’ve been registered, operators will need to work with AiGC on a commercial agreement.
Alberta Pre-Registration Platform Launched
PointsBet Canada was one of the first operators to launch a pre-registration platform for people in Alberta. A source told us the expectation was that it was full steam ahead for the company’s Alberta play.
Another industry source told us he doubts whether the AGCO suspension would impact PointsBet Canada’s ability to get set up and prosper in Alberta, although he did add that AGLC might to decide to issue a license to the company with terms and conditions. Another source said everything is going to come down to whether PointsBet appeals and how they position the regulatory failure to AGLC.
Casino.org asked AGLC for a comment on whether PointsBet’s application – or any operator application, for that matter – would be impacted by a suspension like this.
“While AGLC cannot comment on the application status of a specific iGaming operator, several factors are considered throughout the process,” said an AGLC spokesperson. “More information may be found in AGLC’s Internet Gaming Go-Live Compliance Guide.”
No comments yet