AGCO Ontario orders all bets on UFC to stop, amidst sports integrity concerns.
AGCO’s Decision
Due to sports integrity concerns, The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has ordered all operators in the region, to halt taking any bets on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with immediate effect.
Regulated igaming and betting market was launched in Ontario on the 4th of April 2022, and part of the rules set out by the regulating body to protect sporting integrity in the province, was that all events that allow betting, must be effectively supervised by a sport governing body which must, at minimum, prescribe final rules and enforce codes of conduct that include prohibitions, on insider betting.
Also, such events, must have integrity safeguards in place, which will be sufficient to mitigate the risk of match-fixing, cheat-at-play, and other illicit activities that might influence the outcome of bet upon events.
Reason for Halt Order
Even though the UFC amended its rules to put a ban on its fighters betting on UFC events, AGCO noted that other insiders like coaches, managers, trainers and medical staff are still permitted to bet.
According to AGCO, the body learnt of publicized alleged incidents like the report by ESPN, that a UFC fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke was being investigated by an integrity body after operators reported suspicious wagering on the event in the province.
For instance, it was reported that, a large amount of money was placed on Nuerdanbieke to win the fight in the first round, as rumours that Minner was injured was circulating around. Meanwhile, Minner won by knockout in just over a minute.
AGCO has indicated to operators that, once the necessary curative steps have been taken, information may be provided showing that UFC bets or betting products have met the Registrar’s Standards.
Source: igamingbusiness.com
