AGCO reinstates betting on UFC events throughout Ontario

UFC fans looking for some sweet action are back in the game.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced that regulated sport and event betting operators in Ontario may resume offering bets and betting related products on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.

On December 1, 2022, following alleged incidents, including possible betting by UFC insiders, and reports of suspicious betting patterns in other jurisdictions, the AGCO required all registered gaming operators in Ontario to stop offering and accepting wagers on UFC events. Since that date, the AGCO has been actively engaged with regulated entities and stakeholders as they worked to address the issues.

The ruling meant that the large number of sports betters were unable to place bets at Rideau Carleton Casino for a six-week period.

“The AGCO is committed to protecting Ontario players and the integrity of its betting market,” said Tom Mungham, Registrar and CEO, AGCO. “With the legalization of single event betting last year, the AGCO created strong new rules to protect bettors in Ontario. We are pleased these rules are already working to strengthen the integrity of sports betting in Ontario and, as a result, of UFC competitions around the world.”

The AGCO said its Registrar’s Standards were set to protect the betting public. Those standards include rules to safeguard against odds manipulation, matchfixing and other sports betting integrity issues. Sport and event betting operators must specifically ensure that sporting events they offer bets on are effectively supervised by a governing body which must, at minimum, prescribe rules and enforce codes of conduct that include prohibitions on betting by insiders. There must also be integrity safeguards in place, which are sufficient to mitigate the risk of matchfixing and other illicit activities that might influence the outcome of bet upon events.

The UFC announced it has updated its policies and procedures. Specifically, the UFC has:

• Amended its Athlete Conduct Policy to prohibit all insiders from placing any wagers directly or through a third party on any UFC match, including placing wagers on themselves.

• Made clear that these same prohibitions against wagering apply to an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, and other individuals affiliated with the athletes or UFC, and that violations by these Insiders may result in disciplinary action against related contract athletes.

• Have provided assurances for enhanced mon- itoring and action against insider betting through the strengthening of their internal processes.

• Reiterated their expectation that their contracted athletes report any matters that might raise integrity concerns.

• Engaged in a betting integrity monitoring relationship with US Integrity, an independent sports integrity monitor registered with the AGCO, to identify and analyze unusual wagering activity as indicative of possible integrity concerns.

Given these actions, the Registrar is satisfied that the betting integrity concerns raised have now been addressed and is therefore permitting registered gaming operators to resume offer- ing UFC-related bets. Operators must continue to meet all applicable Registrar’s Standards and the AGCO will continue to monitor compliance with the Standards. The AGCO is aware of ongoing investigations in other jurisdictions and will be monitoring the outcome and actions related to those investigations.

Business As Usual

While many who bet on UFC fights and cards watch the pay-per-view broadcasts faithfully, local UFC-driven events were not as effected by the ruling as one would think. Boston Pizza in Barrhaven saw the same enthusiastic crowds for their UFC nights.

“We carry the UFC events and they draw a good crowd for us,” said Russ Arthurs in December. “Some of the regulars may have a bet on some of the fights, but they are not coming and watching because they are betting. They are coming here because they are fans, and they want to have a night out with their friends and watch the fights.”

Arthurs said that the UFC Nights at Boston Pizza draw a consistent crowd.

“With everything back to business as usual, people are wanting to get out and watch sporting events with their friends and with other fans,” Arthurs said. “We saw that during the World Cup. We will never capture a complete stadium or arena experience, but when people come and watch an event like UFC they will cheer and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s much different that renting the pay-per-view and watching it at home.”

The AGCO is responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horse racing and private cannabis retail sectors in Ontario in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.

The AGCO is a regulatory agency with a governing board that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General. The agency was established on February 23, 1998. It is a corporation under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019.