Ontario Sports Betting Sites – Best Legal Sportsbooks in 2023
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Ontario Sports Betting Sites – Best Legal Sportsbooks in 2023
Why Sports Interaction is our preferred sports betting site in Ontario for 2023
While SIA is one of few iGO sportsbooks without an Ontario sports betting app, the online platform remains the best in the business with its sharp lines, rich live betting section, coverage of international sports, and stress-free deposits and withdrawals.
Sports Interaction’s live betting section features real-time updates and seamless navigation, allowing Ontario bettors to lock in their live wagers the second the lines move in their favour. Additionally, the exhaustive list of North American and international betting markets is sure to appease even the most finicky sports bettors in Ontario. Sports Interaction makes it easy for its users to identify sports, leagues, and preferred bet types.
With nearly a dozen secure deposit options and fast payouts, SIA also provides bettors an unrivaled Ontario sportsbook banking experience. Interac, MuchBetter, Visa, and Mastercard are among the supported payment methods.
Sports Interaction continues to reign supreme in Ontario. Read more about the sportsbook in our Sports Interaction review.
Online sportsbooks and sports betting apps in Ontario
Sports Interaction Ontario
Best for first deposits
No code required
SIA, an Entain-owned sportsbook, boasts a sturdy live betting platform and some of the sharpest odds in the province. The Ontario sportsbook offers bettors a huge collection of betting markets, ensuring there’s never a lack of betting opportunities on the platform. Additionally, Sports Interaction’s customer support is among the best in the industry.
To learn more, check out our expert Sports Interaction Review.
BetVictor Ontario
New-bettor approved
No code required
A longtime operator in the Canadian sports betting market, BetVictor is the best sportsbook for new Ontario bettors. The UK-based operator sets fair odds for a variety of sports betting markets, all of which can be found on its easy-to-navigate app. BetVictor Ontario also allows users to cash out early to lock in winnings or mitigate losses.
To learn more about BetVictor’s features, take a look at our BetVictor review.
bet365 Ontario
Best sports betting app
No code required
bet365 has made a statement in the early days of legal Ontario sports betting. The sportsbook has the best Ontario sports betting app, providing a snappy, intuitive mobile experience to bettors in Canada’s most populous province. Users can choose from a variety of supported banking methods, enjoy bet365’s superb coverage of sports, and explore features like live betting and live streaming.
Check out our in-depth bet365 Ontario Review to dive deeper into the Ontario sportsbook.
PointsBet Ontario
Best app experience
No code required
A legitimate contender for the title of top sportsbook in Ontario, PointsBet is an innovative and exciting option for new and experienced sports bettors. PointsBet’s unique live same-game parlay and “Name a Bet” features stand out as defining hallmarks of its Ontario sportsbook. With sharp odds and lightning-quick payouts, PointsBet Ontario is a winner.
Read our expert PointsBet Review to learn everything there is to know about PointsBet ON.
Caesars Sportsbook Ontario
24/7 service
No code required
A globally recognized brand, Caesars now operates an online sportsbook in Ontario. Caesars Sportsbook ON matches up well with the top platforms in the province thanks to its slick mobile app, helpful customer support staff, and a rich live betting section. Caesars Windsor may eventually offer in-person sports betting, but until then, Ontario bettors can enjoy Caesars’ exhaustive list of online wagering options.
Check out our in-depth Caesars Sportsbook review to dive deeper into the Ontario sportsbook.
How to start betting in Ontario
With the arrival of online betting, Ontarians can visit legal Ontario sports betting sites to place single event wagers via a mobile device, tablet, or computer. Bettors can also submit their picks at a Great Canadian Sportsbook, a sports betting kiosk at a participating casino, or an OLG lottery terminal.
1
Select a sportsbook
Ontarians are now flush with options, as several online sports betting sites have joined PROLINE+ as provincially regulated platforms for sports bettors. We recommend doing some research before settling on your first sportsbook. Check out betting lines, read some reviews, and make sure your banking needs are met before getting started.
2
Register online
Creating an account with an Ontario sportsbook is a breeze. Simply enter some personal information and confirm your identity, and you’ll be ready to get in on the sports betting action. Anyone in Canada can register with an Ontario betting site, but you must be physically present in the province to place a bet.
3
Deposit funds
Funding an account can be done in a matter of minutes. Ontario sports betting sites accept several payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, Interac, PayPal, eChecks, and more. Cryptocurrency is not considered legal tender by Ontario sportsbooks and will not be accepted.
Bettors do not need to be physically located in Ontario to fund an account. Most deposits can be made free of charge but look over any relevant terms and conditions to avoid unexpected fees.
5
Start betting
Once you’ve become familiar with the betting options and online Ontario sportsbooks, it’ll be time to lay down some action. Do your research and make sure you’re 100% comfortable with your first bet. You must be physically located in Ontario to place a sports wager.
6
Withdraw funds
Ontario sports bettors can expect withdrawals to take a day or two to process. Some Ontario sports betting sites allow you to access your funds free of charge, while others may charge a few dollars when it’s time to cash out.
Regardless of your location, registered iGaming operators must allow you to access your Ontario sports betting winnings.
Reading the odds
American odds are the most common way to display odds in North America and are the default option for online sportsbooks. These odds identify favourites and underdogs with minus (-) and plus (+) signs. You can spot a favourite by looking for a minus sign. The number next to the minus sign will tell you the amount you’d have to wager to win $100. For example, -160 odds indicate you need to bet $160 if you’d like to walk away with $100 in profit.
Conversely, a plus sign represents the underdog. The number that follows shows you what you stand to win should you place a $100 wager. For example, +250 odds tell you that a $100 bet would net you $250 in cold, hard cash.
Check out our odds converter to swap American odds for fractional or decimal odds.
Download our free Canadian Sports Betting Guide – everything you need to start betting on sports in Canada.
- How to bet on specific sports
- Sports bet types explained
- Free sports betting tools
- Best Canadian Sportsbooks ranked
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How we rate Ontario sports betting sites
Mobile Experience
Our team dives in to determine which Ontario sportsbooks are optimised for mobile sports betting.
Banking and Payout Speed
Our team only recommends legal Ontario betting sites that process withdrawals and deposits quickly and efficiently.
Key Features
We look for Ontario sports betting sites that offer live streaming, early cash out, and in-play wagering in their overall betting interface.
Security and Trust
We value regulatory transparency and accountability with regard to licences and security features.
Customer Support
Clear, concise, and quick communication with real representatives should be standard at most Ontario sports betting sites.
Learn how we rate sportsbooks
Latest Ontario betting news
Ontario sports betting updates
Ontario online sports betting arrived on Aug. 27, 2021. An online option, PROLINE+, burst onto the scene on day one — and many more online alternatives became available on April 4, 2022. Ontario retail sportsbooks officially arrived in October 2022.
The timeline below summarizes Ontario’s road to legal single-game sports betting:
Feb. 7, 2023:Nearly half of Ontario’s sports bettors plan to bet on Super Bowl LVII, according to a survey by the Responsible Gaming Council (RGC).
Feb. 6, 2023: Fitzdares sets its online sportsbook and casino products live in Ontario.
Jan. 26, 2023: iGaming Ontario reports $11.53 billion in total betting handle for Q3 of the 2022-23 fiscal year — almost double the amount wagered in Ontario during the previous quarter.
Jan. 19, 2023: The AGCO reverses its UFC betting ban, allowing Ontario betting sites to resume accepting wagers on UFC events.
Jan. 11, 2023: Caesars Windsor unveils the first full-service retail sportsbook in Ontario. Former NHL goaltender and Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr places the ceremonial first bet at Caesars Sportsbook.
Dec. 22, 2022: esports-focused provider Rivalry reports betting surge in traditional sports.
Dec. 7, 2022: The AGCO says that nearly 20 internet gaming operators have exited Ontario’s grey market since Oct. 31, 2022. During that time, a handful of companies have registered with AGCO.
Dec. 1, 2022: The AGCO notifies all iGaming Ontario sports betting operators that they can no longer accept wagers on UFC events due to “betting integrity concerns.”
Nov. 29, 2022: The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) files a lawsuit against the Attorney General of Ontario and iGaming Ontario. The MCK claims its gaming business has been threatened by the new Ontario lottery scheme and questions the legality of the iGaming Ontario market.
Nov. 17, 2022: theScore Bet adds a same-game parlay option to its Ontario sportsbook. The new “Parlay+” feature allows bettors to roll multiple wagers from the same NFL, NBA, or NHL game into a single bet.
Nov. 9, 2022: Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares is named brand ambassador of PROLINE.
Nov. 1, 2022: Bet99 becomes the latest operator to launch its online sportsbook in Ontario.
Oct. 28, 2022: OLG announces that select Ontario casinos have introduced in-person betting as they unveil the province’s first retail sportsbooks, dubbed “Great Canadian Sportsbooks.”
Oct. 26, 2022: Pinnacle officially launches pinnacle.ca — the 25th legal Ontario sports betting site.
Oct. 20, 2022: Kambi inks a multiyear deal with Great Canadian Entertainment to supply retail sports betting at 10 GCE Ontario casinos.
Oct. 19, 2022: Betano joins the Ontario sports betting market, with the launch of its online sportsbook and casino.
Oct. 4, 2022: The AGCO sets an Oct. 31 deadline for grey market sportsbooks. Any operator that is in the process of becoming an iGaming Ontario betting site will be forced to shutter operations until fully regulated by the AGCO and iGO.
Sept. 27, 2022: BetVictor re-launches in Ontario as it joins the province’s AGCO-regulated market.
Sept. 20, 2022: OLG announces it plans to roll out 1,400 self-serve sports betting kiosks in convenience stores and other retail locations in Ontario in the second half of 2023.
Sept. 15, 2022: NorthStar Gaming partners with Genius Sports. NorthStar Bets promises its users an improved selection of pre-game and live betting markets.
Sept. 14, 2022: OLG launches My PlayBreak, an updated and rebranded self-exclusion program for online and retail sports bettors.
Sept. 9, 2022: OLG increases retail sports betting limits in an attempt to keep PROLINE competitive in a crowded Ontario sports betting market.
Sept. 2, 2022: A recent Ontario sports betting survey reveals that brand trust and usability are more important to bettors than promotions. Poll results also show that bet365 is the most popular Ontario betting site.
Aug. 30, 2022: iGaming Ontario reveals its gaming numbers from April 4 to June 30. Ontario gamblers placed $4.076 billion in total wagers, while iGaming operators generated $162 million in gaming revenue.
Aug. 29, 2022: Sports Interaction re-launches as a regulated sportsbook in Ontario.
Aug. 17, 2022: Betano, a Kaizen Gaming brand, registers with the AGCO.
Aug. 9, 2022: BetMGM, one of the top Ontario sportsbook operators, becomes an official partner of the National Football League in Canada.
Aug. 8, 2022: The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announces the launch of a new mobile app that combines PROLINE’s Bet Builder functionality with its PROLINE+ online betting platform. ON bettors can now build out retail picks and confirm online selections from the same Ontario sports betting app.
Aug. 5, 2022: PlayFallsview becomes the 23rd Ontario sports betting site to launch legally in the province.
Aug. 1, 2022: Betway officially launches in Ontario. The sportsbook becomes the 22nd operator (including PROLINE+) to receive regulatory approval in ON.
July 29, 2022: PointsBet reveals its YTD Ontario sports betting handle. The operator reports $14 million in total sports bets, a 4.2% hold, and, after accounting for free bets and other promotions, a net loss of $445,000.
July 25, 2022: theScore Bet launches its proprietary risk and trading platform in Ontario. The operator promises to offer more live betting and props and plans to introduce a new “Parlay+” feature this fall.
July 20, 2022: Bally Bet receives final approval from iGaming Ontario and launches its online casino in the province.
June 30, 2022: Bally Bet becomes the 45th online gaming operator to register with the AGCO.
June 28, 2022: PokerStars launches its Ontario sportsbook.
June 22, 2022: OLG’s PROLINE sportsbook becomes an official sports betting partner of the National Basketball Association in Ontario. The move comes a day before the 2022 NBA Draft.
June 16, 2022: OLG’s PROLINE sportsbook becomes an official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball.
June 13, 2022: PointsBet Canada becomes the official sports betting partner of ClubLink, Canada’s largest owner and operator of golf clubs across Ontario.
June 8, 2022: The AGCO approves PokerStars Sports’ application.
June 4, 2022: Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives win the most recent provincial election, likely teeing up at least four more years of legal Ontario sports betting under the current model generated by Doug Ford’s government.
May 18, 2022: iGaming Ontario announces that DraftKings has become a regulated and approved operator for its sportsbook and online casino platforms. DraftKings launches in Ontario the same day.
May 13, 2022: DraftKings and PlayFallsview complete the AGCO registration process.
May 9, 2022: NorthStar Bets goes live in Ontario less than one month after NorthStar Gaming registers with the AGCO.
May 6, 2022: In its latest earnings press release, DraftKings reveals plans to launch in Ontario’s iGaming market in the second quarter of 2022.
May 3, 2022: Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE) partners with Kambi. MGE’s Fallsview Casino plans to launch PlayFallsview, a brand new online sportsbook, in Ontario.
April 19, 2022: Ontario is up to 30 registered online gaming operators as Betway officially takes the first of two steps required to become a provincially regulated Ontario sports betting site.
April 13, 2022: NorthStar Gaming (NorthStar Bets) becomes the 29th online gaming operator — and 18th Ontario sports betting site — to register with the AGCO. The operator will go live once it satisfies iGaming Ontario’s regulatory guidelines.
April 11, 2022: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) inks a multi-year agreement with PointsBet Canada. PointsBet will partner with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and other MLSE-owned franchises.
April 11, 2022: Unibet officially launches its Ontario sports betting site and app.
April 8, 2022: FanDuel and BetMGM become the NHL’s first North American sports betting partners after the league expands its partnerships to include Canada.
April 7, 2022: The Toronto Blue Jays and theScore Bet announce a partnership that provides the sportsbook with exclusive national marketing rights across all gaming categories. Additionally, theScore Bet will have a branded sports bar and restaurant at Rogers Centre.
April 4, 2022: Ontario officially launches its iGaming market. FanDuel, PointsBet, and BetRivers are among the first wave of registered operators to go live. iGaming Ontario announces that 13 operators have been given the green light to begin taking sports bets in Ontario.
April 1, 2022: Caesars Sportsbook, bwin, and partysports become the 15th, 16th, and 17th online sports betting operators to register with the AGCO.
March 29, 2022: DraftKings and FanDuel will shutter Daily Fantasy Contests in Ontario due to new regulations related to Ontario’s iGaming launch.
March 24, 2022: PointsBet announces it will be the official sports betting partner of the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Ottawa REDBLACKS — and TD Place — for the coming season.
March 22, 2022: theScore Bet launches its Ontario sportsbook and casino app and begins accepting pre-registration. The operator has an offer for new Ontario users who register between March 22, 2022, and April 3, 2022 (iOS only). The Ontario betting site is set to go live on April 4.
March 21, 2022: Kambi Group plc becomes a registered sportsbook provider in Ontario. Kambi will provide its operator partners with its industry-leading technology starting April 4, 2022.
BetMGM and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) are officially approved as registered online gaming operators.
March 15, 2022: The AGCO approves bet365’s iGaming application. The UK-based operator brings Ontario’s list of registered online gaming operators to 14. bet365 is ON’s 12th registered online sportsbook.
March 11, 2022: FanDuel earns approval as the 11th registered online sportsbook in Ontario.
March 10, 2022: RSI confirms it plans to launch BetRivers.ca on April 4.
March 9, 2022: PROLINE+ becomes the NHL’s first sports betting partner in Canada as Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) inks a deal with the National Hockey League.
Rush Street Interactive Canada becomes the seventh operator to gain regulatory approval. The company’s BetRivers brand (BetRivers.ca) will launch in Ontario.
March 3, 2022: 888 Holdings Plc confirms it has successfully registered with the AGCO as an internet gaming operator. 888 will be among the first Ontario sports betting sites to launch on April 4.
Feb. 23, 2022: Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS) announces a partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). As part of a planned “Game within the Game” digital fan experience, fans will be able to take part in “on-demand sports betting.”
Feb. 18, 2022: DraftKings reveals during its Q4 earnings call that an Ontario launch is likely once the province opens its doors to sports betting operators on April 4.
Feb. 15, 2022: OLG reports a significant increase in new PROLINE+ users ahead of Super Bowl 56. Financials are not released following the Big Game.
Feb. 3, 2022: PointsBet and theScore Bet announce the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved their registration as online gaming operators in the province. Both plan to launch on April 4, 2022.
Feb. 1, 2022: OLG announces that PROLINE, the province’s in-person betting platform, will now offer single-game wagers. The new PROLINE Bet Builder App will allow sports gamblers to add to their bet slip on mobile before confirming their picks with retailers. Additionally, new sports, events, and markets will be available to those using PROLINE.
Feb. 1, 2022: NorthStar Gaming announces its Ontario sportsbook will be powered by Kambi.
Jan. 28, 2022: iGaming Ontario (IGO) announces that Ontario’s new iGaming market will launch on April 4, 2022. Online operators that have registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and “executed an operating agreement” will be permitted to go live on that day.
Jan. 20, 2022: In an email to Covers, press secretary Natasha Krstajic states, “Ontario’s new iGaming market will complement existing land-based gaming activity by providing a new opportunity for Ontario’s land-based operators to expand into iGaming to diversify revenue sources and cross-promote between online and land-based sites.”
Jan. 19, 2022: BetMGM announces it expects to launch its online sportsbook and casino in Ontario later in 2022. On a conference call, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt states that bwin, another Entain plc-owned brand, plans to enter the Canadian market as well.
Jan. 11, 2022: NorthStar Gaming announces a partnership with PlayTech. The Canadian-based gaming company plans to use PlayTech’s IMS platform to launch its sports betting operations in Ontario.
Jan. 10, 2022: PointsBet Canada announces it’s become the exclusive sports betting partner of the NHL Alumni Association.
Dec. 20, 2021: theScore Bet secures Gaming Laboratories International GLI-33 certification for mobile sports betting and iGaming in Ontario. The operator is expected to launch early in 2022.
Dec. 1, 2021: Ontario’s auditor general expresses concern over Ontario’s future iGaming market and urges the province to “take appropriate steps to ensure compliance with the Criminal Code.” Bonnie Lysyk identifies iGaming Ontario’s supposed role in ‘conducting and managing’ third-party operations as an area that could present legal risk down the road.
Nov. 26, 2021: OLG rolls out its first-ever Black Friday deals for PROLINE+, the provincially-owned online sportsbook.
Nov. 15, 2021: AGCO releases its Internet Gaming Go-Live Compliance Guide. Highlights include AGCO’s emphasis on responsible gambling and the requirement of interested operators with multiple brands to cease all grey market activity in Ontario.
Nov. 2, 2021: During Caesars Entertainment’s Q3 earnings call, CEO Tom Reeg shares his belief that Caesars will be among the more well-positioned operators to enter the Ontario market, citing its history with Caesars Windsor and existing customer base as competitive advantages.
Oct. 14, 2021: Rush Street Interactive announces a new free-to-play online casino and sportsbook — CASINO4FUN® — has launched in Ontario. RSI expects to go live with real money sports gambling in Ontario in the coming months under its BetRivers brand.
Sept. 9, 2021: The AGCO finalizes and releases its regulatory standards for Ontario’s iGaming market.
Aug. 27, 2021: The OLG launches PROLINE+. Ontarians are now permitted to place wagers online and on a single event.
Aug. 12, 2021: Justice Minister David Lametti announces Bill C-218 will come into effect on Aug. 27, 2021. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) promptly reveals that PROLINE+ will launch the same day and offer online single-game sports betting to Ontarians.
July 28, 2021: The AGCO releases draft regulatory standards for internet gaming. This includes sports betting rules and regulations.
July 6, 2021: The government of Ontario announces that the province’s open and competitive iGaming market will be managed by iGaming Ontario, a newly established subsidiary of the AGCO.
June 29, 2021: Bill C-218 receives royal assent. Single-game sports betting is officially legalized in Canada.
June 22, 2021: The Senate approves Bill C-218 by a vote of 57-20. The bill awaits royal assent to become law.
April 22, 2021: Bill C-218 swiftly passes in the House of Commons with all-party support.
Nov. 5, 2020: The government of Ontario makes it known that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will manage the forthcoming online gaming market in the province.
Feb. 25, 2020: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan MP Kevin Waugh introduces Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, to amend Canada’s criminal code and legalize single-game sports betting.
Is sports betting legal in Ontario?
Yes, Ontario sports betting is legal. Parlay bets and pari-mutuel wagers have been permitted since 1985, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has offered single-game online sports betting since Aug. 27, 2021. The province’s new iGaming market launched on April 4, 2022.
On Feb. 1, 2022, OLG launched a revamped PROLINE, allowing Ontarians to place single-game bets at approximately 10,000 retail locations in the province. Previously, single-event wagering was only available online via the province’s PROLINE+ betting platform. Late in 2021, OLG’s chief digital and strategy officer Dave Pridmore told Covers that improving the retail experience would be a focus early in 2022.
Oct. 28, 2022, marked the arrival of Ontario’s first four retail sportsbooks. ON sports bettors can now find Great Canadian Sportsbook, a dedicated sportsbook lounge, at Elements Casino Brantford, Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel, Pickering Casino Resort, and Shorelines Casino Belleville.
Caesars Sportsbook at Caesars Windsor is the only full-service Ontario retail sportsbook.
Legal Ontario sportsbooks
The AGCO and iGaming Ontario have confirmed that 28 sportsbooks (including PROLINE+) received all necessary regulatory approvals to begin taking bets (888sport, Bally Bet, bet365, Bet99, Betano, BetMGM, BetRivers, BetVictor, Betway, bwin, Caesars, Coolbet, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fitzdares, LeoVegas, NorthStar Bets, partysports, Pinnacle, PlayFallsview, PointsBet, PokerStars, Rivalry, Royal Panda, Sports Interaction, theScore Bet, and Unibet).
The following operators are live and legal Ontario sports betting sites:
Ontario sports betting sites
Land-based Ontario sportsbooks
Caesars Sportsbook in Windsor became the first full-service brick-and-mortar sportsbook in Ontario when it opened its doors on Jan. 11, 2023.
On Oct. 28, 2022, Great Canadian Entertainment opened the first four dedicated sportsbook lounges in Ontario. These “Great Canadian Sportsbooks” can be found at the following casinos:Elements Casino Brantford, Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel, Pickering Casino Resort, and Shorelines Casino Belleville.
Additionally, six other Ontario casinos now feature sports betting kiosks: Casino Woodbine, Shorelines Casino Peterborough, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, Elements Casino Mohawk, Elements Casino Grand River, and Elements Casino Flamboro.
Sportsbook
Venue
Address
Launch date
| Caesars Sportsbook |
Caesars Windsor |
377 Riverside Dr E, Windsor, ON N9A 7H7 |
Jan. 11, 2023 |
| Great Canadian Sportsbook |
Elements Casino Brantford |
40 Icomm Dr, Brantford, ON N3S 7S9 |
Oct. 28, 2022 |
| Great Canadian Sportsbook |
Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel |
21777 Island Rd, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B6 |
Oct. 28, 2022 |
| Great Canadian Sportsbook |
Pickering Casino Resort |
888 Durham Live Avenue, Pickering, ON L1W 0C1 |
Oct. 28, 2022 |
| Great Canadian Sportsbook |
Shorelines Casino Belleville |
380 Bell Blvd, Belleville, ON K8P 5H9 |
Oct. 28, 2022 |
Who can bet on sports in Ontario?
You must be 19 to visit legal Ontario betting sites or Great Canadian Sportsbook locations. If you’re 18 years of age, you can place in-person wagers at an OLG lottery terminal. As of Feb. 1, 2022, single-game betting is available at approximately 10,000 Ontario retailers.
Here’s a brief overview of what sports bettors can expect in Ontario:
Legal age
Sports bettors must be at least 19 if they wish to bet online in Ontario. Physical bets may be placed in-store at OLG lottery terminals by 18-year-olds.
Mobile betting
Mobile betting is live with the best sports betting apps in Ontario. With just a few taps, bettors can place single-game sports wagers from anywhere in the province. As of April 4, 2022, anyone physically located in Ontario can place a legal wager with any registered Ontario sports betting site. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates all online sports betting in Ontario.
Remote registration
Anyone, regardless of their location, can register and add funds to a new sportsbook account. Only those in Ontario will be able to bet, however. Bettors can place their first single-game bets from home, their favourite sports bars, or any other location in Ontario. Remote registration removes the need to visit a local OLG outlet before placing a sports wager.
Within provincial borders
Ontario sports bettors must have both feet firmly planted within provincial lines when placing a sports bet online on an AGCO-regulated platform. While online sports betting is already permitted in Manitoba and Quebec, each province manages and controls its own sports betting activity. Residents of Ontario are required to turn on location services and confirm their exact whereabouts before each wager.
Retail sportsbooks
There are five retail sportsbooks in Ontario — and six other casinos feature sports betting kiosks. Kambi supplies its sports betting solutions to 10 Great Canadian Entertainment casinos.
Kambi has also finalized deals to offer retail sports betting at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.
Taxable winnings
Gambling profits are not taxed in Canada, so Ontarians can enjoy 100% of their sports bet winnings.
The pros and cons of Ontario sports betting
Ontario has been a trailblazer when it comes to sports betting in Canada. The province’s wish to remain an open and highly competitive market has opened the door to dozens of operators and given new and experienced sports bettors a multitude of wagering options. There are now 28 registered Ontario sports betting sites.
However, Ontario features just five dedicated retail sportsbooks. Two of these are in the GTA.
Mobile betting is live
Single-game betting online and in person
Highly competitive iGaming market launched on April 4, 2022
Just two GTA retail sportsbooks
Must be physically located in Ontario to bet with AGCO-regulated betting sites
Underwhelming launch for some sports betting apps
What else can you bet on in Ontario?
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has established criteria that sports bets need to meet to be deemed acceptable. Specifically, any bet that appears to be unethical, dangerous, placed on a fixed event, or involves a majority of participants under the age of 18 is off-limits.
Awards ceremonies
Popular celebrity awards shows, such as the Emmy Awards, can be wagered on via a registered Ontario sports betting site.
Politics
There are now plenty of political bets available to bettors on PROLINE+ and other regulated Ontario sportsbooks.
esports
The AGCO permits esports betting in Ontario, provided the majority of participants are 18 or older. Toronto-based operator Rivalry set its esports betting platform live on April 4, 2022.
What about Ontario university sports?
Ontario sports bettors can find major events — such as the Vanier Cup — on some betting sites.
Ontarians love their sports teams
While NFL rules the Ontario sports betting roost, the local roster of sports teams garners significant betting attention.
From the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators generate much of the online gambling action. The Toronto Raptors are Canada’s lone NBA franchise. Their 2018-19 title run galvanized the country and earned them throngs of fans from every province.
The two-time World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays have rebooted the franchise, giving Canada’s only MLB team a much-needed boost. Rounding out the Ontario sports betting scene, Toronto FC has cemented their status as a formidable MLS club while the Toronto Argonauts, holders of a CFL-record 17 Grey Cup championships, look to rebound following the cancellation of the 2019 season.
Our sportsbook review page identifies the best sites to place bets and each review is backed by the Covers BetSmart System™. Our how to bet guides are an excellent resource for beginners.
NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators
CFL
Toronto Argonauts
Ottawa Redblacks
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
NBA
Toronto Raptors
NFL
Buffalo Bills
Dallas Cowboys
MLB
Toronto Blue Jays
Freeplay sports betting contests for Ontario
Think of freeplay games as the appetizer course or the start of your sports betting tasting menu.
Enter our exclusive free-to-play contests and go head-to-head with other Maple Leafs and Raptors fans. Compete against other players for the rest of the regular season to win prizes if you hit on your picks.
Play our live-odds freeplay contests to become familiar with sports betting odds, terminology, and the thrill of wagering on sports events in Ontario.
Toronto sports betting
Our Toronto sports betting guide covers the top betting apps, live betting locations, and sports bars in Ontario’s most populous city.
Toronto in-game betting
Find out where you can live bet in Toronto.
Toronto sports betting apps
Check out the best sports betting apps in Toronto.
Toronto sports bars
Hit the town and head to one of the best sports bars in T.O.
iGaming Ontario handle and revenue
Ontario’s total iGaming handle (including sports betting, online casino, and online poker) rose to $11.53 billion in its third quarter of legal event wagering and online gaming (October 2022 through December 2022). In total, the province took in over $21.6 billion in total wagers in 2022.
Here’s a look at Ontario’s iGaming earnings to date:
Yearly breakdown
| Year |
Total handle |
Revenue |
Hold percentage |
| 2022 |
$21.64B |
$886M |
4% |
Quarterly handle
| Year |
Jan- Mar |
Apr-Jun |
July-Sept |
Oct-Dec |
Total |
| 2022 |
N/A |
$4.076B |
$6.04B |
$11.53B |
$21.64B |
Other types of gambling
When it comes to gambling in Ontario, sports betting is far from the only game in town. You can find 28 casinos in the province, including seven in the Greater Toronto Area.
Woodbine Racetrack, located in Etobicoke, is the largest and most prominent racetrack in Ontario and features a standalone casino — Casino Woodbine.
Casino
The Gaming Control Act of 1992 opened the doors to in-person casino gambling in Ontario. Today, the province is home to over two dozen OLG-operated commercial casinos and racinos. Ontario gamblers can enjoy a variety of table games and slots when visiting these locations.
The AGCO and iGaming Ontario have now approved 63 registered online casino operators. With the newly-established iGaming Ontario spearheading the province’s new online gambling initiatives, expect to see even more Ontario online casinos introduced in the future.
Poker
There are plenty of ways for Ontario card sharks to hone their skills. Live poker can be found at many of the province’s casinos, while online poker is available via the OLG.
With NSUS Limited now a registered online gaming operator, wsop.ca (World Series of Poker) launched in2022.
Horse racing
The Sport of Kings is well-served within the Ontario sports betting scene.
However, online sportsbooks must acquire a federal betting permit from the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency if they want to provide comprehensive coverage of horse race betting in Ontario. Canada’s federal government oversees all horse race betting in the country, so for now, new iGaming operators will be unable to offer this type of gambling to online bettors.
Horse racing enthusiasts can either bet online with HPIbet or place physical wagers at a local track. Woodbine Mohawk Park (Campbellford), Rideau Carleton Raceway (Ottawa), and Fort Erie Race Track (Fort Erie) all accept in-person horse race bets.
Daily fantasy sports
According to FanDuel, DFS players in Ontario will no longer have access to paid or free daily fantasy contests starting April 1, 2022.
All entries submitted before April 1 will run as usual, and any winnings remain eligible for withdrawal. Any tickets and Championship League entries won or entered on or before April 1 will also run as usual.
Bill C-218 officially legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS). DraftKings and FanDuel have a stronghold on DFS contests in the nation’s most populous province, but you’ll have to wait for them to set up new iGaming compliant sites before getting back in the DFS game.
Quick facts: Ontario sports betting
| Launch date |
April 4, 2022 |
| Legal age |
19 (online); 18 (PROLINE) |
| Online sports betting |
Yes ✅ |
| iGO sports betting sites |
28 |
| Best Ontario sportsbook |
Sports Interaction |
| Retail sportsbooks |
Yes ✅ |
| Betting on college sports |
Yes ✅ |
| Betting on esports |
Yes ✅ |
| Online casino sites |
Yes ✅ |
| Online poker |
Yes ✅ |
| iGO online casinos |
63 |
| Retail casinos |
Yes ✅ |
| Remote registration |
Yes ✅ |
| Ontario population |
14.9 million |
| Regulator |
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) |
Responsible gaming in Ontario
All the reputable Ontario sports betting sites referenced earlier promote safe and responsible Ontario sports gambling. OLG plays its part too. PlaySmart.ca is a virtual resource containing facts, counselling services, tools, and advice to help you make smart choices.
Visit PlaySmart.ca
Individuals seeking support for gambling addiction can leverage free and confidential help from ConnexOntario. The organization bridges the gap between the available services and the people who need them most. Supportive specialists provide 24/7 access to information for mental health and addictions services.
Visit ConnexOntario
More Ontario betting sites resources
Best Ontario sports betting apps
Our Covers experts give their unbiased and honest opinions ofthe best Ontario mobile apps.
Ontario betting sites with PayPal
Find the best Ontario betting sites with PayPal by checking out our meticulously compiled list.
Ontario betting sites with Interac
We’ve carefully tested and reviewed the best Ontario betting sites with Interac.
Provincial betting guides
With more than 25 years of excellence within the sports betting industry, Covers continues to provide Canadians with independent sportsbook reviews.
Whether you are looking for the best NFL sportsbook or the best site for live NHL betting, Covers has vetted the best places to bet online in Ontario. Canada is a big place, but we’ve gone local and assembled a list of the best online sports betting sites near you.
