Welcome to the Props.com guide to Ontario Sports Betting. Single-game sports betting was legalized in the province in 2021, and it has been a huge success ever since.
Bill C-218 was passed by the Canadian federal government in 2021 as a way to amend the current criminal code on sports betting, but it also included language for other forms of gambling as well. After the passage of C-218, provinces were able to legalize and regulate sports betting and other forms of gambling. So far, Ontario is the only province that has allowed an open, competitive sports betting marketplace, much to the benefit of the province’s many sports fans.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has been put in charge of overseeing and regulating the new online gambling options. That group then created the iGaming Ontario group to help with receiving licenses and setting up these industries.
Ontario looked at the models used in the United States to help get these new industries up and running, and several top operators from the U.S. operate in the province.
Ontario Legal Sportsbooks
Legal sportsbooks launched in Ontario on April 4, 2022. The Ontario Lottery was given the first chance to offer legal sports betting, and it was able to release an app in February 2022, two months ahead of the competition.
The legal sports betting age in Ontario is set at 19 years of age, and all betting must be done within the province of Ontario. Geolocation services will be used to track the physical location of a bettor, but that will only be done after an account is set up.
Bill C-218 had plenty of support from lawmakers in Ontario when it was introduced, but it also received support from outside sources. The National Football League helped get this bill pushed through and has already partnered with some operators in the province.
Ontario Online Sports Betting
The Ontario and Lottery Gaming Corporation got things started in the Ontario online sports betting industry when it launched the ProLine+ app in early February. While ProLine+ is a decent sportsbook, there are many more that offer a better experience for bettors.
According to iGaming Ontario, the following sportsbooks are currently licensed to operate in the province.
These mobile apps are available for download on both Android and iOS devices as well. Most of them are online-only, but a few are connected to retail casinos operating in the province.
Online sports betting revenue is taxed at a rate of 20%, which is paid to the Ontario government. The tax revenue generated by sports betting goes to the general fund to pay for a variety of services.
Ontario Retail Sportsbooks
There are a handful of Ontario retail sportsbooks in the province, but as you can tell from the long list of mobile sportsbooks above, most of the action is focused online.
If you do like to wager in person, ProLine offers the option to use a branded sports betting kiosk anywhere that lottery tickets are available.
Ontario Legal Online Casino Sites
Online casino sites are also legal in Ontario, and it has quickly grown into a huge industry that actually dwarfs the sports betting market, as measured by betting handle. The legal gambling age at online casino sites is 19 years of age, which is standard for in-person casino sites as well.
Ontario Online Casino Sites
Online casino sites also launched on April 4, 2022, and as you can see below, casino operators have flocked to the province. Here are all the mobile casino operators currently doing business in Ontario.
That’s a lot of online casinos! As you likely guessed, Ontario doesn’t limit the number of casinos allowed to operate in the province. This has resulted in an extremely competitive marketplace that provides a casino for players of all interests and budgets.
Ontario Live Dealer Online Casino
Live dealer online casino games have become some of the most popular options for those playing at an online casino. A live dealer game has the look and feel of actually being on the casino floor.
A big advantage of playing a live dealer online casino game is that the action is much quicker than traditional online casino games. Most are games played solely against the dealer and it is also much easier to switch rooms or tables.
Blackjack and roulette are two of the most popular options that are usually available with live dealer online casino games.
How Do I Know That Online Gambling Sites In Ontario Are Fair?
Online gambling sites in Ontario are all regulated by iGaming Ontario, the provincial government agency responsible for overseeing the gambling industry. They ensure that the games are fair and that your personal information is kept safe and secure by the casino operators.
It’s also important to remember that online gambling sites have to go through an application process before they can launch, and not every single company is going to be chosen. Give the online gambling sites in Ontario a try, and you can decide for yourself how fair each of them are.
Who Regulates Legal online sportsbooks in Ontario?
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is in charge of regulating online sportsbooks and casinos in Ontario. Its iGaming Ontario subsidiary evaluates and approves license applications and ensures that all online operators in the province operate fairly and within the regulations established by the provincial government.
Why should I trust legal online sportsbooks?
Since all of the sites that operate in Ontario have been verified and received a license, this is the best reason to trust each of them. There is a thorough process involved when it comes to applying for an online sports betting license, and not everyone will receive one.
If you do run into some major issues with any of the online sportsbooks in Ontario then you can reach out to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission for some assistance. You don’t ever want to use a site that has not yet received a license to operate.
How do I get paid if I win?
Banking at online gambling sites used to be a bit of a hassle, but that is no longer the case. The banking options will vary depending on the operator, but you will always be able to find plenty of options available.
All of the banking that you do at an online gambling site in Ontario will be done through one specific operator, and that includes both making a deposit or requesting a withdrawal. If you run into an issue when banking at an online gambling site then you will want to reach out to customer service to get some help.
