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 is set for April 4, 2022, and there are plenty of operators ready to go live after being approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
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 is set for April 4, 2022, as this will be the day when several sportsbooks launch. This is not the first time a legal sports bet can be placed, though, as there is 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.
As of April 1, 2022, at least 16 online sportsbook apps have received a license to offer sports betting. Here are some of the operators that will be planning to launch sports betting on April 4 or slightly after:
- 888Sport
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
- ProLine+
- theScore Bet
- Unibet
Other local companies will be offering sports betting in Ontario, but the operators on the list above should be 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 is expected to establish retail sportsbooks throughout the province, but that has not been the case yet. This group is still looking to establish these locations, and it’s unknown when that might occur.
There is a way to place a sports betting wager in person, which can be done at any retail locations that currently accept PROLINE wagers. However, it’s unclear if or when a major retail sportsbook will ever launch in Ontario.
Ontario Sports Betting Revenue
Online sportsbooks that are given a license to offer sports betting in Ontario will agree 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.
How Do I Know That Online Sports Betting Sites In Ontario Are Fair?
As soon as the sports betting sites in Ontario are launched, you will see a long list of odds for each sport. It is understandable to question how fair these odds are, but you don’t need to spend too much time thinking about this.
Ontario has already approved some of the best sports betting operators in the industry, and those sites are known for being fair and having great betting odds and lines. However, each site will run the risk of losing business if posted odds are not fair.
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.