Media Ontario suspends betting on WBA matches due to match-fixing & insider betting concerns

[svmr_db]

AGCO Requires Ontario Gaming Operators to Stop Offering WBA Bets Due to Integrity Concerns​

Thursday, April 18, 2024

News​

Toronto, ON – The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is requiring all Ontario-registered sportsbook operators to stop offering and accepting wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) events, effective immediately. This measure is being taken to protect the Ontario betting public following concerns that WBA-sanctioned boxing matches are not adequately being safeguarded against match-fixing and insider betting.
Since December 2023, the AGCO has been conducting a comprehensive review of suspicious wagering activity on a WBA-sanctioned title fight between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro that was held in Orlando, Florida. Suspicious betting patterns on the bout lasting over 5.5 rounds were reported to the AGCO by two registered independent integrity monitors and detected in Ontario by a registered igaming operator. Media reports also alleged that Tellez’s Manager placed $110,000 on the match lasting longer than 5.5 rounds at a Florida casino. The bout ended with Tellez knocking out Navarro in the 10th round.
Following an intensive review that included outreach to the WBA, Ontario-registered gaming operators, independent integrity monitors, and regulators in other jurisdictions, the AGCO has concluded that bets related to WBA events do not currently meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
The AGCO requires all Ontario-registered gaming operators to ensure the sport betting products they offer are on events that are effectively supervised by a sport governing body. At a minimum, the sport governing body must have and enforce codes of conduct that prohibit betting by insiders.
Registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate to the AGCO that the WBA prohibits betting from insiders, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or others with access to non-public information. Further, registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate that the WBA took any action to investigate or enforce the allegations of potential match-fixing and insider wagering.
The AGCO has indicated to registered operators that in order for WBA betting products to be reinstated in Ontario, operators must demonstrate that the WBA effectively supervises its events, thus bringing them into compliance with the Registrar’s Standards. In December 2022, the AGCO required gaming operators to stop offering bets on UFC events for similar issues related to insider betting safeguards. Within a month, UFC amended its policies and implemented new protocols that allowed the AGCO to reinstate betting on UFC events in the province.

Quote​

“Ontarians who wish to bet on sporting events need to be confident that those events are fairly run, and that clear integrity safeguards are in place and enforced by an effective sport governing body. Knowing the popularity of boxing in Ontario, we look forward to reinstating betting on WBA events once appropriate safeguards against possible match-fixing and insider betting have been confirmed.”
Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO, AGCO

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

This is a pretty big deal. Ontario is the most populated province in Canada. I remember when they suspended betting on UFC events a couple years back. Now it's the WBA's turn. Let's see if they add the necessary safeguards to open betting back up in the region. It'll likely take a while. The UFC was quick to act but that's not how it normally works in boxing.

 

[svmr_db]

This is a pretty big deal. Ontario is the most populated province in Canada. I remember when they suspended betting on UFC events a couple years back. Now it's the WBA's turn. Let's see if they add the necessary safeguards to open betting back up in the region. It'll likely take a while. The UFC was quick to act but that's not how it normally works in boxing.

Yeah I think the temporary suspension began around January 2023 or perhaps a little earlier, so we couldn't bet on the UFC 282: Teixeira vs Hill card and a few others on the Ontario regulated sportsbooks.

Hopefully it gets resolved asap. I would recommend any Ontario residents hold off rushing to bet any WBA sanctioned fights like Fury vs Usyk. Lines are still up as of now but there's a good chance they get refunded / voided before that fight ever takes place.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Yeah I think the temporary suspension began around January 2023 or perhaps a little earlier, so we couldn't bet on the UFC 282: Teixeira vs Hill card and a few others on the Ontario regulated sportsbooks.

Hopefully it gets resolved asap. I would recommend any Ontario residents hold off rushing to bet any WBA sanctioned fights like Fury vs Usyk. Lines are still up as of now but there's a good chance they get refunded / voided before that fight ever takes place.

I live in the Erie, Pennsylvania region so Ontario is our neighbor. The Fort Erie port of entry, and Niagara Falls, isn't far.

 

[CatchnShoot]

I don't know enough about it, but the optics on this are not great.