Criminal Charges Laid in Gift Card Sports Betting Investigation

Criminal Charges Laid in Gift Card Sports Betting Investigation

Two people in Northern Ontario have been charged by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) in relation to suspicious PROLINE sports betting activity by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).

Gift cards that have been compromised

Thousands of gift cards had been compromised at multiple gas bars in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, according to an OPP investigation, which led to the charges.

According to an OPP statement, on March 20, 2024, the IEB, which is affiliated with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), got in touch with the OLG about suspicious activity at the gas bar locations.

The inquiry found that thousands of gift cards totaling more than CAD $400,000 had been fraudulently obtained.  PROLINE bets were paid for with the compromised gift cards.  The accused would use the gift cards to wager on both teams in order to ensure their victory, according to a CTV News report.

OPP: Fraud of $400,000

According to CTV News, authorities confiscated multiple pieces of evidence that did not belong to the accused during the inquiry.  Casino.org requested further information about the investigation from the OPP but has not received a response.

Joshua Silver, a 36-year-old Thunder Bay resident, is accused of identity theft, fraud exceeding $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime, conspiracy, forgery, utter forged document, and possession of property obtained through criminal activity.

Silver is expected to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay tomorrow after being remanded into custody.

Tomorrow is the court date

Montgomery McMahon, 45, of Thunder Bay, was accused of conspiracy, possession of property obtained through criminal activity, fraud exceeding $5,000, and money laundering.

McMahon is expected to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Tuesday after being remanded into custody.

The inquiry is still ongoing, according to a statement from the OPP.