Key Moments:
- Ontario’s gambling regulator imposed a $350,000 penalty on FanDuel Canada following the detection of suspicious betting on the Czech Table Tennis Star Series.
- AGCO found that FanDuel accepted 144 bets from three Ontario-based customers over several weeks, despite prior warnings about integrity risks.
- FanDuel has 15 days to appeal and maintains that its systems are advanced and acted responsibly during the incident.
AGCO Issues Significant Financial Penalty
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a $350,000 fine to FanDuel Canada for what it called insufficient action in response to suspicious betting activity concerning alleged match-fixing in European table tennis. The announcement came as AGCO cited failures by FanDuel to properly identify and escalate dozens of questionable wagers despite having received warnings about the integrity risks tied to a specific table tennis series.
Details of the Betting Activity
The AGCO stated that the problematic bets were placed between late October and November 2024. FanDuel’s Ontario platform reportedly took in 144 wagers from three customers in the region, all on matches in the Czech Table Tennis Star Series. According to the regulator, this competition had previously been categorized as vulnerable to manipulation by integrity monitoring organizations. Nevertheless, FanDuel permitted the bets to continue for weeks without suitable intervention.
| Event | Timeline | Bets Accepted | Customers Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Table Tennis Star Series | Late October – November 2024 | 144 | 3 (Ontario-based) |
AGCO’s Findings and Regulatory Expectations
According to AGCO, investigators noticed patterns including abrupt shifts in betting activity, recurrent bets on expected losing players, and a rate of success inconsistent with industry norms. The regulator pointed out that these elements should have triggered a rapid response, but escalation did not occur swiftly. AGCO emphasized that under Sports Betting Standard 4.09, operators are required to identify, report, and promptly address suspicious activity. The regulator found that FanDuel’s oversight fell short of these standards, particularly given prior warnings about the tournament’s high risk.
FanDuel Responds to Regulatory Decision
FanDuel has voiced its dissatisfaction with the penalty, disputing the regulator’s conclusions. In its statement, the company asserted that its monitoring systems are among the most advanced in the industry and added that FanDuel itself had proactively reported the suspicious activity to external integrity monitoring bodies.
“As an operator that prides itself on the trust built with our stakeholders, we do not believe this action accurately reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting the integrity of sport and our customers,” a FanDuel spokesperson told CTV News.
In addition, FanDuel expressed concerns that fines of this nature may discourage operators from sharing intelligence or reporting concerns for fear of regulatory action.
Market Integrity Remains Under Scrutiny
Ontario’s regulated online betting sector, launched in April 2022, has become one of North America’s most competitive markets. The AGCO continues to stress the importance of compliance and integrity throughout this environment. In this matter, the regulator explained that the core issue was not the suspicious bets themselves, but the failure to address and escalate them in a timely manner. AGCO suggested that delays in acting undermine broader anti-corruption efforts among regulators, law enforcement, and sports authorities.
Particular focus remains on small, niche sports, which are susceptible to irregular betting activity. Table tennis, with its high number of matches, limited media profile, and lower betting liquidity, presents unique monitoring challenges. Both European and North American regulators have previously urged betting operators to apply greater scrutiny to such sports.
Next Steps for FanDuel and Industry Implications
Within Ontario’s regulatory process, FanDuel has 15 days to file an appeal. The company maintains its disagreement with the AGCO’s findings but reiterated its commitment to working with the regulator and enhancing its monitoring systems. The penalty is part of AGCO’s ongoing enforcement initiatives and stands as a signal to other operators about the necessity of fast and decisive responses when suspicious activity arises. The ruling further highlights the increasing regulatory attention devoted to integrity protocols in less prominent sports where irregular betting has surfaced.
- Author
Daniel Williams
