Ontario Online Sports Betting Key Policy Points

  • Ontario Legal Online Gambling Verticals – Online Casino Gambling, Online Sports Betting, Daily Fantasy Sports
  • Ontario Online Gambling Revenue Tax Rates – Sports betting operators in Canada will pay a 20% tax on all sports betting revenue
  • Ontario Available Online Sports Betting Licenses – Online-only operators are allowed to apply for a sports betting license in Canada. As of April 1, 2022, there are 16 operators approved in Ontario
  • Ontario College Sports Wagering Policy – Wagering on college sporting events will be legal at the sportsbooks in Ontario
  • Ontario Sports Betting Legalization and Launch Dates – Legalized June 2021, Full launch date April 4, 2022
  • Ontario Gaming Regulation Agency – Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission has been chosen to oversee and regulate the newly legal sports betting industry. 

Ontario already has an online gaming industry in place, but it is set to grow with online sports betting. Daily fantasy sports sites are up and running, and some of those same operators will soon be able to accept wagers on sports.

It was a long and interesting journey to get online sports betting approved, but it finally happened in June 2021. The big launch was on April 4, 2022.

Ontario Legal Sportsbooks 

Ontario sports betting officially became legal on June 29, 2021, as Bill C-218 received official royal assent. That day might have marked the day that sports betting was legalized, but there were no online sports betting options available.

After this bill was passed, there was still a long process ahead for establishing the rules and regulations needed to set up this industry. The bill officially went into effect at the end of August 2021, but this was not when online sports betting began.

The National Football League and other professional leagues helped support legal sports betting in Ontario. There were sports betting operators that also helped push for legal sports betting, which allowed lawmakers in the state to get a bill passed. 

Ontario set the legal sports betting age at 19 years, and they did not limit the number of sportsbooks that could receive a license. This allowed Ontario to attract a long list of sports betting operators and set up a highly competitive market. 

Ontario Online Sports Betting

The biggest day in Ontario online sports betting was April 4, 2022, as was when several sportsbooks launched. This was not the first time a legal sports bet can be placed, though, as there was already an option available. 

The ProLine+ app officially launched on February 1, 2022, and it is the app produced and operated by the Ontario Lottery. This app’s early launch allowed the OLG to get a head start on the other operators, but it is not expected to remain a top option.

At least 16 online sportsbook apps have received a license to offer sports betting. Here are some of the operators that launched sports betting on April 4 or slightly after:

Other local companies offer sports betting in Ontario, but the operators on the list above were the early leaders. One unique fact about sports betting in Ontario is that the legal gambling age is 19 years of age, and that’s a bit different from legal gambling ages in the United States.

Ontario Retail Sportsbooks 

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation established retail sportsbooks throughout the province. There is a way to place a sports betting wager in person, which can be done at any retail location that currently accepts PROLINE wagers.

Ontario Sports Betting Revenue

Online sportsbooks that are given a license to offer sports betting in Ontario agreed to pay a 20% tax on all sports betting revenue. This is a bit higher than the national average in the United States, and it should provide a good source of revenue for Ontario.

Early projections suggest that Ontario could go over the $10 billion mark in total sports betting handle for the first year. These projections also estimate that more than $150 million in tax revenue is expected in the first 12 months. 

Who Regulates Legal Online Sportsbooks In Ontario?

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regulates Ontario’s legal online sports betting industry. Many jobs come with this task, but the most important is to receive license applications and then issue those licenses.

Ontario does not require sports betting operators to be tied to any casino properties, and therefore all online sportsbooks can apply for a license. However, after these sites launch, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has to check up on each site. 

Why Should I Trust Legal Online Sportsbooks?

The biggest reason to trust legal online sportsbooks is that they are licensed and regulated by Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission. Using these sportsbooks is the only way to legally and safely place a bet on a sporting event in Ontario. 

All of these sportsbooks hold a license in Ontario, but they will also continue to be regulated. If these sportsbooks are found to do anything illegal, they will run the risk of having their license revoked or removed, and they will no longer be a legal option.

How Do I Get Paid If I Win?

There is not one central bank that takes care of all sports betting payments in Ontario, and the payments will come from each site. The sports betting sites that launch in Ontario will all come with different payment options, and those options will be up to each site. 

Ontario Sports Betting FAQ

How old do you have to be to bet online in Ontario?

The legal sports betting age in Ontario is set at 19 years of age, and that’s a bit different than in most states in the United States. States that offer sports betting in the U.S. have a minimum age of 18 or 21.

Can I bet on college sports in Ontario?

Yes, betting on college sporting events will be offered in Ontario, including the top American sporting events. Wagering on collegiate sporting events is a big debate in the United States, but that isn’t an issue in Ontario.

Is DraftKings offering sports betting apps in Ontario?

Yes, DraftKings is one of the sports betting companies that helped push for Canadian sports betting, and it will be legal in Ontario. DraftKings is already in Canada as it offers daily fantasy sports games through its site and mobile app.

Can I bet anonymously at Ontario legal betting sites?

No, once the Ontario legal betting sites are up and running, you will have to create an account before placing a wager. You will be able to create an account at all available sites, but you will have to be logged in before any bets will be accepted.

How do I get paid when I win at Ontario legal betting sites?

All of the legal betting sites in Canada will take care of making payments to anyone that wins money by either sports betting or at an online casino. However, if you have an issue when looking to receive payment, you will want to reach out to that site directly.