Ontario bettors who have won bets on the state-run PROLINE+ sportsbook are growing frustrated with long payout times. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which operates the book, said a substantial number of new bettors signed up just before the Super Bowl, and there is a backlog.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers while we work diligently to review and subsequently verify bank accounts as quickly as possible,” OLG’s Director of Media Relations Tony Bitonti told CBC. “OLG prides itself on always paying winners and also carefully complying with regulatory standards.”
One bettor, Carl Zhou, awaits a withdrawal of over $2,000 in winnings. He vented his frustration to CBC, saying that he hasn’t faced such problems on other online sports betting sites and usually enjoys successful withdrawals within 24 hours.
“If you have a problem with this type of issue, you report it to some like, government entity. But in this case, this is the government,” Zhou said.
Michal Naraine, a sports management professor at Brock University, was quoted by the CBC as saying that sports betting companies need to confirm the accuracy of the banking data to ensure they are not dealing with illicit companies or criminal activities.
“Once they’re trying to withdraw that money out of the ecosystem … the operators have to dot their I’s and cross their T’s as it relates to where’s this money going,” he said.
OLG’s website indicates withdrawals expect to take no longer than five business days. The company has not provided any information as to when the withdrawals will be completed.
