The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a CA$200,000 (US$140,680) monetary penalty to theScore.Bet for “failing to meet strict player protection standards” by providing “misleading” cash-out offers to one of its users.
According to AGCO investigators, the bet in question was a mulit-leg parlay consisting of numerous bets related to the NHL, NBA and NCAA basketball games, which could have paid out over $1m.
When theScore offered early cash-out payments of approximately $380,000 and $100,000, the user immediately accepted both each time. Instead of receiving payment, however, theScore rejected the transactions during automated verification after the odds changed.
The AGCO found that neither cash-out offer was “achievable as presented to the player,” and violates Standard 4.07 in the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. The wager went on to settle as a loss after one of the legs failed to hit, leaving the bettor with no payout whatsoever.
Addressing the enforcement action, AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr said: "Operators have a responsibility to ensure that the gaming opportunities they present are accurate and can be honoured as described.
“As the regulator, the AGCO is committed to holding operators accountable when they fail to uphold commitments made to players or otherwise mislead them about gaming opportunities. By imposing the maximum monetary penalty available, we are sending a clear message that these expectations are not optional."
Following the monetary penalty, theScore may request a hearing before the Licence Appeal Tribunal in Ontario, an adjudicative body which remains independent of the AGCO.
The most recent enforcement action marks the third theScore has received from the AGCO over the past 12 months, having been fined $105,000 during October and November 2025, respectively.
The AGCO fined Booming Games CA$70,000 on 21 August after discovering prohibited auto-play functionality had been available to Ontario players across several online slot titles
