Nov 14, 2026
An Ontario bettor accepted a cash-out offer of approximately $380,000, then another for almost $100,000. Neither transaction went through, and the wager ultimately paid nothing.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced a $200,000 penalty against Score Media and Gaming Inc., operator of theScore.bet, on Oct. 6 over the incident. The regulator found that neither offer was achievable as presented.
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For people who use betting apps, the case raises the question of whether you can count on receiving money, even if the app shows that you’ve cashed out. After all, while you still need to accept and process a cash-out request, operators must present accurate information.
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Two accepted offers, no payout
According to the AGCO, the case involved a $1,000 parlay that was placed on March 14, 2025, covering NHL, NBA, and NCAA basketball games. A parlay combines multiple selections into one wager. In this case, the ticket could have paid more than $1 million if every selection came through.
With one leg remaining, the player immediately accepted the approximately $380,000 offer, but automated verification rejected it after the odds changed. Four minutes later, the player immediately accepted a second offer of almost $100,000, which also failed, and the bet was settled as a loss.
In a statement reported by Casino.org, a spokesperson for theScore.bet parent company PENN said it took its responsibility to provide a fair, transparent betting experience seriously and had been working with the regulator throughout the process.
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Why a cash-out amount can change
A cash-out allows a bettor to settle a wager before the underlying events finish, accepting an early return rather than waiting for the final result.
The amount reflects the wager’s changing circumstances. For example, Bet365’s Ontario guidance says its calculation considers the current odds, the original odds and the amount wagered. Changes in odds and live action can also produce an offer below the original stake. In other words, just because you cash out doesn’t mean you’ll make a profit.
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There can also be a delay between pressing the button and completing the transaction. Bet365 warns that a request may fail if odds change or a market is suspended during processing. It says a successful request produces a “Cashed Out” message and transfers the advertised amount into the account balance.
TheScore.bet’s current Ontario house rules similarly say cash-out requests may be delayed and that the feature may not always be available. If your attempt is successful, it should generate a message, appear in your transaction history and credit your account. Any subsequent events affecting the original wager are then disregarded.
A processing delay does not excuse misleading offers
The AGCO cited Standard 4.07, which prohibits misleading game information, including descriptions of outcomes, prizes, or features that cannot be achieved. Its finding concerned the offers in this case and wasn’t a blanket prohibition on cash-out processing delays.
TheScore.bet’s current rules say an AGCO decision takes priority if it conflicts with the company’s house rules. Those rules must therefore be considered alongside the regulator’s player protections.
The fine levied against TheScore.bet doesn’t mean that the individual bettor received any compensation. The AGCO said its enforcement process is separate from resolving individual disputes. It remains unclear whether the player received any money or whether the operator requested a tribunal hearing to challenge the penalty.
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Colin Graves is a Winnipeg-based financial writer and editor whose work has been featured in publications such as Time, MoneySense, MapleMoney, Retire Happy, The College Investor, and more. Before becoming a full-time writer, Colin was a bank manager for over 15 years.
