FanDuel Gets $350K Fine Over Suspicious Gambling in Canada

FanDuel picked up a loss in the Great White North this week.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced a fine of $350,000 for FanDuel Sportsbook this week. The penalty stems from accusations that the operators ignored suspicious betting activity during a Czech Table Tennis Star Series match. 

According to the regulator, FanDuel accepted 144 wagers on the tournament from three different accounts. There was also an unusually high number of bets placed on players to lose, and an overall win rate.

The sportsbook has continued to state that it acted correctly and was the only operator in the Ontario sports betting market to detect the activity. However, the AGCO pointed to warnings shared about potential match-fixing during the tournament. They believe that had FanDuel taken those warnings more seriously, the scandals could have been shut down immediately. 

"As an operator that prides itself on the trust we have built with our stakeholders, we do not feel that this action accurately reflects the commitment and investment we have consistently demonstrated regarding protecting the industry, our customers, and the integrity of sport," a FanDuel spokesperson shared with the CBC. 

FanDuel will have 15 days to appeal the $350,000 fine.

FanDuel’s Lack of Action is Concerning

FanDuel has insisted that it did everything possible to address the alleged match-fixing, but it's clear the Canadian regulator isn’t convinced.

Then AGCO’s allegations will garner attention from regulators and sports leagues across North America. The sports world saw several betting scandals uncovered over the summer, involving well-known athletes and coaches. Lawmakers in Canada and the US have been calling for changes to address the growing issue.

Regulators rarely have information about match-fixing before an event begins. With FanDuel allegedly ignoring that advantage, it could anger lawmakers pushing hard to crack down on betting scandals, leading to increased scrutiny. That would be a problem for FanDuel, especially as it continues to roll out its new prediction platforms.