Ontario Sports Betting Sites 2024 - Legal Update

Ontario’s new iGaming market started to operate on April 4th, 2022, with a clear goal in mind – to help oversee the legal betting sites in the province. It helps Ontarians ensure they are playing on safe, trusted betting sites. Before iGaming, Canadians could only use offshore betting sites that operate in legal grey areas or the OLG Proline Multi-bets, which often don’t have bettors’ best interests in mind.  

With the arrival of iGaming, Ontario online betting is safer than ever before. Every betting site operating in Ontario, from newcomers to longstanding operators, will be able to file for licenses with iGaming, allowing players to enjoy a safer, more regulated gaming environment. 

Any changes to online betting practices, especially large-scale ones, impact betting trends and change the market significantly. We’re here to help you explore these changes, help you make sense of them, and discover what the future might hold for Sports Betting in Ontario.

The launch of iGaming has been major business for Ontario, as it has given them access to a huge source of taxable revenue. This money can go toward public projects and benefit consumers in the long run, unlike offshore gambling, where all the money leaves the country. Let’s take a look at how much revenue iGaming has been able to bring in during the years it has been operational.

• 2022: $822 Million
• 2023: $2.26 Billion

With the launch of iGaming Ontario, there are now a huge number of operators that are available in the province. Keeping track of all of them can pose a challenge. If you are unsure which sportsbooks are licensed across the province, we are here to clear everything up. Below is a breakdown of every iGaming Ontario website that has sports betting available.

Since the iGaming revolution, many sportsbooks have already announced their intent to apply for a full license in Ontario, while others already have their full iGaming licenses.

With so many options to pick from, we know it can be a challenge. But below, we’ve broken down some of the biggest and best sportsbooks that have secured a license in Ontario and are giving you some insights into what sets them apart. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Sports Interaction

Sports Interaction has a unique place on this list because it’s been legal in Canada since its inception. This all-Canadian betting site has offered its services to Canadians for years. Sports Interaction resides on Mohawk territory and was founded by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.  They now have an iGaming license. This site is known for its top-notch design and huge welcome offers, and is many players’ obvious first choice for legal sports betting in Ontario.

888Sport

888Sport has announced that it has secured its iGaming license, and thus permission to operate in Ontario.

This is a massive global operator, with a ton of betting promotions that make it stand out. The site boasts a great design and layout and a large sportsbook that covers a wide variety of markets.

BetMGM

BetMGM is the new Canadian brand from Vegas powerhouse MGM. This new sportsbook is licensed and certified by iGaming and has an incredible interface and user-friendly features.
It also offers a top-notch mobile app sports bettors are going to love. It is a great new addition to the Ontario betting marketplace..

LeoVegas

LeoVegas is one of the biggest gambling companies on the market, a multi-billion-dollar juggernaut known for its massive welcome offers, easy-to-use website, and customer-centric experience. LeoVegas typically gets new licenses when it enters a foreign market, and Ontario is no different – they are now iGaming licensed. 

Betway

Betway is one of the top sports betting sites in Ontario, even though it has operated without a Canadian license. This has changed, as Betway is now iGaming licensed. This is great news for its users, who use this sportsbook in large part due to its awesome interface, top-notch betting offers, fun features, and smooth experience.

PointsBet

PointsBet has arrived in Ontario, and it has secured iGaming licensing.
Bettors are bound to enjoy this Australian operator thanks to its massive sportsbook, convenient mobile app, and fun betting twists that keep players engaged.

Bwin

Bwin is an Austrian sportsbook that is making the move to Ontario now that the market is available. It has secured an Ontario iGaming license and is now available to players in the district. It has a great-looking website, a bet builder feature, and a large sportsbook. 

BetRivers

BetRivers is another major operator that has recently entered the Canadian market by securing its iGaming Ontario license. It’s website is perfectly designed and boasts a lot of fun features, including live streaming and house specials. It also offers an exciting mobile experience.

Caesars

Caesars is a famed staple of the Vegas betting scene, and now it is iGaming Ontario licensed and actively involved in the Canadian market. The website is simple but effective with a clean design, and there’s also a great mobile app. This are a safe and trusted operator Ontarians will come to love.  

FanDuel

FanDuel is a massive sportsbook that arrived in Canada and has secured its iGaming license. It is well-known for its excellent website design, massive sportsbook, and daily fantasy features. This is a premier option that is now finally available to Ontarians after years of operating just outside of the Canadian border.  

Rivalry

Rivalry is an exciting new option that's recently entered the Ontario market with an iGaming license, and it has a lot to offer.

If you like e-sports, this is the sportsbook for you – it has excellent e-sports betting coverage, on top of great markets for a wide range of sports.  

theScore

Most Canadians are familiar with theScore, a Toronto-based company that displays score updates and sports news, and has recently entered the betting industry as an iGaming licensed sportsbook and betting app. The app has a clean interface that is familiar to users, as well as an array of betting options.

DraftKings

DraftKings is one of the biggest sportsbooks in America, and now it is set to arrive in Ontario. Its Ontario offers haven’t kicked off yet, but DraftKings is deep into its iGaming licensing process. It will have a lot of great features to offer bettors, including a smooth website, single-game parlays, and odds boosts. 

PowerPlay

PowerPlay is one of the best live betting sites available, with plenty of exciting features. They also take crypto deposits and withdrawals, which is something many bettors will enjoy.

Bet99

Bet99 is a sportsbook that has been operating in Canada for some time now. It has an excellent website design and plenty of fun features. Bet99 also offers extensive player props that many bettors will enjoy, and a solid assortment of payment options.

TonyBet

TonyBet is a longstanding operator that many Canadians are already familiar with.
It has a huge sportsbook with comprehensive coverage of just about every major league on the planet.

Neo.Bet

Neo.bet was one of the first operators to get a license in Germany, and they have added to that by integrating with an iGaming Ontario license. The site is simple and effective with a clean, no-frills design that many users have come to love, not to mention its fantastic bonuses, massive sportsbook and huge supply of odds.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle is a large global sportsbook with a substantial number of Canadian users, sure to become a strong option for Ontario-based bettors. They have entered the Ontario market with an iGaming license. Pinnacle is a longstanding operator that has been providing fand with a top-notch betting experience since the 90s.

Bet365

Bet365 is one of the world’s biggest and best-known operators. They have naturally made certain that they will thrive in Ontario by procuring an iGaming license. Bet365 has a reputation for giving bettors exactly what they’re looking for, and they have lived up to that reputation with a great mobile offering, plenty of fun features, and a standout customer support team.

As iGaming has altered the market, legal betting in Ontario has surged. New sportsbooks have arrived in the province en-masse, and there are plenty of operators that have made it to Ontario that residents might not be fully familiar with. If you are someone who is interested in finding out more about the many new sportsbooks in the province, we are here to help break it all down.

We’ll give you the lowdown on many of the newest, most exciting operators to serve the Ontario market. This should help you find out whether you should roll with the old, established operators, or the new, innovative ones.

While there have been many amazing additions to Ontario’s betting market, we’re here to help showcase the top ones. For those who want to play with the best of the best, Let's explore three of Ontario’s top new sportsbooks:

With the addition of iGaming, not only have there been new betting sites that have arrived in the province, but there have also been entirely new ways to sports bet that have been added. One of those new ways has been the invention of sports betting exchanges.

This is an exciting innovation that has been licensed by iGaming Ontario, and it takes the concept of a stock exchange and migrates it to sports betting. Inspired by finance, this way of wagering allows bettors to build a “stock portfolio” of sports bets that can ebb and flow according to what is going on in different leagues.

STX: Ontario’s First Sports Betting Exchange 

The operator that has brought the betting exchange concept to Ontario is STX, who has been iGaming licensed. They are Ontario’s first sports betting exchange, and offer users a mobile app they can download to get in on the action. Bettors can place orders on different markets throughout a game or season and watch as the value fluctuates according to what is happening. You can buy a cheap option that ends up hitting it big, or purchase an expensive one that falls flat. It all depends on what happens within sporting events. 

STX is a new, innovative company that is poised to hit it big in the Ontario market. They offer something unique and fun, with incredible technology that powers a unique user experience. They have the potential to grow dramatically within the province over the next few years. 

Up until recently, single-game sports betting wasn’t legal in Canada. Bettors could legally make parlay bets on multiple games through the Ontario Lottery, but they couldn’t place single bets. Many chose to use offshore betting sites for single bets, which can be referred to as “grey-area betting” – it wasn’t illegal, not was it fully legal or regulated by the Canadian government.  

This all changed when Bill C-218 – the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act – passed. This bill gave provinces the ability to determine whether single-game sports betting was legal in their jurisdiction and determine how and when it would be legalised. Naturally, many provinces jumped at the opportunity to earn revenue from gambling and oversee the industry.  

It has taken the Ontario government some time to make it happen, but it eventually became the first province to have this regulatory framework in place – namely, iGaming. iGaming was launched in the summer of 2021 by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, with the purpose of protecting consumers, regulating the market, and ensuring legal growth and provincial returns.  

Founding and launching iGaming has been a turning point for single-game sports betting in Ontario, and it will never be the same again. 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Ontario?

Yes! Sports betting is now fully legal across Ontario thanks to the changes brought by Bill C-218 and the implementation by the provincial government with iGaming. Now, bettors can enjoy fully licensed websites that are regulated by the provincial authorities through iGaming.

It makes for a market that has shifted dramatically. While there are still rules that the industry has to follow, with things like age limits and more, overall, sports betting in Ontario has become legalized.

There are many who have either only recently started gambling in Ontario or are currently considering whether they should. If you are someone who is weighing whether or not you should begin your gambling journey, we are here to assist you in this process.

There are both major upsides to gambling in the province, as well as some downsides. If you are trying to weigh your options, we will help break them down for you below by analyzing the pros and cons of sports betting in Ontario.

Ontario has a passionate fanbase across the province. There are millions of massive sports fans in Ontario, and that has fueled the success of the sports betting industry here. There are several teams in Ontario that are hugely popular with gamblers. Let’s look at some of the teams in Ontario that are most popular for sports betting.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Maple Leafs are one of the NHL’s Original Six franchises, and a massively popular squad. While Stanley Cup success has been elusive, they are one of the biggest NHL franchises.

Ottawa Senators: The Senators are Ontario’s other NHL team, a rising group based in the nation’s capital. Their fans are tremendously passionate, and love wagering on their highly talented Senators.

Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are Canada’s only NBA team. They have been highly successful over the past decade, and have a young group that could make some noise in the future. Fans across Ontario enjoy betting on this group.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are Canada’s only MLB team, and they have been one of the best groups in the league over the past few years. They have a top-notch fanbase that wagers on them throughout the MLB season.

Buffalo Bills: Even though there are no NFL teams in Ontario, the Buffalo Bills have become the squad of choice for Ontario bettors. Based just South of Ontario, the Bills are the NFL team that gets Ontario fans betting.

While most people use sportsbooks just for wagering on sporting events, sports aren’t the only things you can wager on with most Ontario betting sites. They will also offer coverage of unique markets known as specials that allow gamblers to wager on a surprising array of different options. Let’s look at some of the other things you can bet on with Ontario sportsbooks.

Politics

 On most betting sites, you can bet on political outcomes. Typically, these are things like who will win the next U.S. or Canadian federal elections.

Award Shows

Gamblers can also wager on award shows. These can be things like the Grammys, Emmys, Oscars, and so on. Bettors can wager on the favourites and underdogs.

Movies/TV

Some websites allow users to bet on outcomes of TV shows or movies. For example, things like who will win the Bachelorette or which character will emerge from a power struggle in HBO’s latest show.

Esports

Many sportsbooks now cover Esports tournaments. Gamblers can place their money on which team or player will win different major tournaments in different Esports, ranging from Counterstrike to FIFA.

Ontario is a hub for gambling, and there are ways to gamble aside from using sports betting sites. There are 28 casinos that can be found across the province, as well as horse tracks, so not all your gambling needs to be online. Let’s look at some of the other popular forms of gambling in Ontario. 

Casino

Casino gambling is a great way for players to partake in games of chance and skill. As mentioned, Ontario has numerous in-person casinos. There are also many virtual casinos that offer digital versions of games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and more.

Horse Racing

 Horse racing is extremely popular in Ontario. Gamblers can head to the racetrack to bet in-person on high-speed, thrilling races, or they can find horse racing options on their favourite sports betting sites.

Daily Fantasy

Some operators in Ontario have daily fantasy betting options. This lets bettors pick players that are playing that day, and get points based on how they perform. The top winners can receive massive cash prizes.

The meaning of iGaming regulation extends beyond the province government and the sportsbooks and directly effects the players themselves - in fact, the implications  for players are possibly the most significant. Even when betting wasn’t fully legal, hundreds of thousands of Ontarians engaged in it at their own peril. iGaming allows the government to oversee this market and likely receive a significant share of the revenue – which can amount to billions of dollars, if the experience of other governments is any indication.  

For users, just like for bookmakers, iGaming licensing makes things safer and clearer. You’ll know exactly what is legal and what isn’t, allowing you to bet simply and easily, without having to worry about scamming or legal grey areas. iGaming is set to regulate several different elements relating to player safety and work to create a better environment for bettors.  

All in all, this is good for everyone – the government will be able to tax the operators and receive their fair due, players will have a safer and more secure system, and operators will enjoy the benefits of a growing user base as more Canadians sign up.  

Now that betting is legal in Ontario, the province will lightly gain the attention of an array of sports betting websites looking for new customers, causing Ontarians to have more gambling options than ever before. But iGaming is a legitimate government-controlled organization, and they don’t hand out Ontario gambling licenses to just anyone.  
 
Several different criteria are examined by iGaming to ensure they’re only licensing safe and respectable companies. Most large operators that are already licensed in several locations around the world, such as 888Sport or Betway, will already have demonstrated these licensing standards. However, many gambling companies won’t. 

Some of the standards that iGaming considers include:  

These are not all of the relevant factors, but they are the primary ones.  

As you can see, iGaming doesn’t make it easy to obtain a license. This supports an environment where only trusted and respectable operators can thrive in Ontario.

There’s a lot to know about betting. You can check out our many sportsbook reviews or in-depth information, but here are some quick insights to check out before you get started:

Legality: Legality is hugely important. Betting with an illegal operator places you at significant risk of getting scammed. Before trusting a sportsbook with your money, always make sure it is legal and regulated.  

Personal Interest: Other factors to consider have to do with the way the specific operator aligns with your interests. Does it support the payment methods you want? Does it provide you with the offers you were hoping for, or the app features you care most about? Every sportsbook is different methods – ensure you can find what you are are looking for before you get started.  

Safety: Another crucial element, especially with gambling, is to ensure that you stay safe. For Ontarians, iGaming will also be there to help bettors ensure that they don’t gamble in a problematic way. iGaming aims to ensure that every licensed operator has systems in place allowing gamblers to set deposit and betting limits and avoid developing a harmful habit.

Sportsbooks to Avoid in Ontario

While we won’t list out any of the operators that have received a negative reputation in Ontario, there are some betting sites that have been hit with bad reviews. There are certain tell-tale signs that an operator is not worth your time. We have a few criteria to monitor if you want to ensure that you enjoy a safe, positive gambling experience. Below are some of the things to look for that should give you a sense of whether a sportsbook is one to avoid.

Unlicensed: If a betting site is unlicensed in Ontario, it may not be a good idea to gamble with it. The licensing process ensures that operators have been verified as safe and secure by regulators. If a betting site is unlicensed, you are at a much higher risk of being scammed.

Bad Online Reviews: Online reviews are an important way to get the lowdown on a betting site before having to use it. Do your research, and if you see that there is a huge amount of negative feedback about different sportsbooks, it might not be a good idea to give them your business. 

Slow Payment Processes: If there is a lot of information out there that says a sportsbook takes forever to give users their money back, or makes the process difficult on them, it might not be worth your time to bet with them. Slow payment processes can cause gamblers substantial stress.

While gambling can be a ton of fun, it is also important to be aware that it can devolve from fun to dangerous. There are many who exhibit signs of problem gambling, and the province has taken some steps to help gamblers who are noticing that their behaviour is dipping into the dangerous end of the spectrum.

There are several resources for problem gambling that can ensure a safer, more positive experience.PlaySmart.ca is a virtual service that offers bettors access to helpful resources like advice and counselling.

ConnexOntario is a free service that offers Ontarians assistance to help them combat problematic gambling behaviour. These resources are available around the clock and allow gamblers to find proper help and ensure they aren’t making reckless decisions.

The legalisation of betting in Ontario doesn’t mean that everyone will be able to do it – Some of these new rules regulate who exactly can bet legaly in Ontario.

Legal Betting Age

 The minimum age to participate in Ontario sports betting is 19. This differs across provinces, so make sure to double-check if you live outside Ontario. 

Registration

Legal betting at Ontario sports betting sites also requires that you register for an account and include all your personal information, so make sure that you go through this step before starting. 

Location

 For bettors to be able to wager in the province, they have to be actually situated in Ontario. You can’t just sign up for an Ontario betting site whie in the province, go somewhere else, and place wagers. You have to be in Ontario to bet. You also have to have a fixed address when registering that is in Ontario.

When single-game betting was legalised in August of 2021, it changed sports betting in Ontario for good. Here’s why:

Single-game betting is exactly what it sounds like: a bet placed on a single sporting event. For example, if the Maple Leafs were playing the Senators, and you wanted to bet on that game, that would be a single-game bet.  

This sort of bet used to be illegal in Canada – the only type of betting that was legal was multi-game betting, and this wasn’t done online. Multi-betting, or parlay bets, are placed on several games at once, with all the bets within needing to hit in order for the bet to cash.  

To do this legally, bettors were required to purchase Proline or Proline+ tickets from convenience stores or gas stations. The proceeds from these bets went to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, or the OLG. This wasn’t great for gamblers because the OLG would usually provide them with unfavorable odds for bettors. That is why the huge array of sports betting sites available after legalisation is so good for bettors – competition forces better deals.

Another pre-iGaming issue was that, since the only bets available were parlays, bettors were often forced into riskier bets than they would’ve liked. Since the legalisation of single-game betting and the removal of these issues, Ontario sports betting has taken off in a major way.