Ontario Bans Betting on World Boxing Association Events

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced that it has informed sportsbooks to stop taking wagers on any World Boxing Association (WBO) events due to suspicious betting activity.

According to a release published by the AGCO, the regulator carried out a review of suspicious betting activity in relation to the WBA-sanctioned title fight between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro in Orlando Florida. The review found that suspicious betting patterns were noted across 5.5 rounds of the match.

The activity was first spotted and reported by two independent integrity monitors. A licensed sports betting operator in Ontario also reported suspicious activity through its sportsbook.

Following the fight, there were media reports suggesting that Tellez’s Manager placed $110,000 at a Florida Casino on the match lasting longer than 5.5 rounds.

The bout lasted ten rounds and ended with Tellez winning by a knockout.

The AGCO’s follow-up review concluded that any wagers on WBA events to do not currently meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Ontario’s licensed sports betting operators were unable to show that the WBA prevents insider betting which includes wagers by fighters, their backroom staff, or any people with access to non-public information.

As a result, the AGCO has requested sportsbooks to stop taking wagers on WBA sanctioned events in order to protect the general public from losses incurred due to match-fixing and insider betting.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO, AGCO said:

“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.”

In December 2022, the AGCO told sportsbooks to stop taking bets on UFC events due to concerns regarding insider betting safeguards. In response, UFC revised its policies and introduced new protocols, enabling the AGCO to restore betting on UFC events in the province within a month.