Criminal Charges Laid in Gift Card Sports Betting Investigation
Posted on: September 21, 2025, 08:06h.
Last updated on: September 21, 2025, 08:07h.
- Two men charged after OPP investigation into gift card, sports betting scam
- OPP says $400,000 in alleged fraud
- Both men to appear in Thunder Bay court this upcoming week
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) has laid charges against two individuals in Northern Ontario in connection with suspicious Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) PROLINE sports betting activity.
Compromised Gift Cards
The charges came after an OPP investigation revealed that thousands of gift cards had been compromised at several gas bar locations in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.
A statement released by the OPP said that the IEB, attached to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), contacted the OLG on March 20, 2024, regarding suspicious activity at the gas bar locations.
The investigation revealed fraud of thousands of gift cards, exceeding CAD $400,000. The compromised gift cards were used to pay for PROLINE bets. According to CTV News reporting the accused would bet on both teams using the gift cards to guarantee they would win.
OPP: $400,000 Fraud
CTV News reported that during the investigation officers seized several pieces of investigation that did not belong to the accused. Casino.org reached out to the OPP for more details on the investigation but have not heard back.
Joshua Silver, aged 36, of Thunder Bay, has been charged with fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, conspiracy, identity theft, forgery, utter forged document, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Silver has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay tomorrow.
Court Date Tomorrow
Montgomery McMahon 45, of Thunder Bay, was charged with fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, conspiracy, utter forged document, and possession of property obtained by crime.
McMahon has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay Tuesday.
The OPP said in a statement that the investigation is ongoing.
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