Ontario Sports Betting (2024)
Intéressé à sports betting en Ontario? If yes, you’re on the right page, as that’s what we’ll be discussing in this guide. Sports betting in Ontario has come a long way, and the state of things has never been better than it is currently. The province boasts multiple sportsbooks for residents to wager on, including domestic and international options.
However, to ensure safe betting in Ontario, there are other specifics to know. Therefore, we’ll be detailing everything about sports betting and its legality in the province. Read on to discover supported sports, markets, and the best sites to sign up with.
Best Online Sports Betting Sites in Ontario (2024)
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Is Sports Betting Legal in Ontario?
Yes, sports betting has been legal in Ontario for a long time. Parlay betting was legalized in the province in 1985, allowing residents to wager on multiple sports events. However, things changed in 2021 when single-game wagering also became legal.
On August 27, 2021, lawmakers passed Bill C-218. This bill categorically lifted the ban on single-game betting, allowing provinces in Canada to dictate their independent gambling regulations.
The Alcohol and Games Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) are the two main bodies that regulate sports betting and online casinos in Ontario. Both were in support of Bill C-218, so once it was passed into law, single-game betting became legal in Ontario.
Who Can Bet on Sports in Ontario?
To bet on sports in Ontario, gamblers have to be at least 19 years of age. This is standard across the province, but some sportsbooks — like Caesars, for example — increase the benchmark to 21.
Most sports betting platforms in Ontario are online. However, for a sportsbook to be legal, it must be licensed and regulated by the OLG and AGCO. Operators, without approval by any of the two authorities, can't offer their services to Ontario residents.
Before now, sports betting was only possible in Ontario via PROLINE, a platform owned by the OLG. But in April 2022, the commission began accepting license applications from international sportsbook sites. Thanks to this, the range of gambling options for Ontario players significantly increased.
At the moment, there are up to 29 licensed sportsbooks in Ontario. We regularly review and rate the best ones, so you can keep tabs on our website if you want to bet on only quality platforms.
Types of Sports Betting Options in Ontario
the province. Well, from our findings, there’s a broad range of options and we’ve explained them in detail in the subsequent sections:
Legal Bet Types in Ontario
The following markets are supported for wagering in Ontario:
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Parlays: This option allows betting on multiple events in a single slip. All selections must play out correctly for the bet to win.
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Single-game: With this option, you can submit a bet slip with only one event. It’s a less-risky alternative to parlay since you only need to predict one outcome correctly.
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Moneylines: In a sports game, you can place a moneyline bet on which team will win outright. It’s one of the simplest betting options.
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Point Spread: This market involves betting on the margin of victory based on a set figure. You can wager on whether a team will cover the spread or not.
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Props: Known as proposition bets in full, props allow you to wager on individual player performances. The prediction doesn’t necessarily involve the primary outcome of the event.
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Totals: Also known as over/under, this bet type involves wagering if the total of a numerical outcome will exceed or be less than a set figure.
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In-play: With in-play markets, you wager on ongoing sports events. They’re the opposite of pre-match bets, which you make before the sports events kick off.
Popular Sports for Betting in Ontario
Some sports categories record higher traffic from Ontario bettors than others. When starting with sportsbooks in the province, it’s ideal to check out these popular games and competitions. We’ve listed the top five below:
Hockey
Bettors in Ontario generally prefer betting on hockey, especially NHL events. Games featuring famous teams like Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators always attract many wagers.
Basketball
For this category, the NBA takes the lead. Thanks to teams such as the Toronto Raptors, the frequency of NBA and basketball betting continues to increase in Ontario.
American Football
A good number of Ontario sports fans are vast followers of NFL and CFL games. Therefore, it’s only natural that football ranks among the popular categories for betting in the province, and multiple betting sites have great odds for the NFL in Ontario.
Soccer
Regarding soccer, Ontario bettors wager on MLS matches and also foreign leagues in Europe and South America. During popular international competitions like the FIFA World Cup, betting interests in soccer usually surge.
Baseball
Teams like Toronto Blue Jays largely attract bets from bettors who follow baseball events. Generally, MLB betting sites are the most popular in this category.
Domestic vs Offshore Sportsbooks
All sports betting in Ontario, domestic or offshore, must be done through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Bettors interested in domestic sports betting should place bets on the government-run PROLINE app. The app is owned and operated by the OLG.
However, things are different with online gambling in Ontario, as there are many options to choose from, including:
- PlayOLG.ca & PROLINE
- Privately-owned sportsbooks regulated by iGaming Ontario and the AGCO
Besides the above options, Ontario bettors can also use offshore sportsbooks. Since these sites are foreign-operated and not based in Canada, federal and provincial laws don’t affect them.
However, when playing at an offshore sportsbook that isn’t approved by the AGCO, ensure the site is licensed and regulated by another trustworthy regulatory body like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
To find reliable and legal offshore sportsbooks, check our guide on the top 10 sportsbooks in Canada. Our sports betting experts have analyzed and reviewed the best sportsbooks for Canadians. So, expect safe and secure betting on these platforms.
How We Rate the Best Sports Betting Sites in Ontario
We considered many factors when rating the best Ontario sports betting sites. Our experts analyzed a long list of popular online sportsbooks to uncover only the best. To provide insights into our evaluation process, below are the criteria we pay attention to:
Ontario License & Reputation
First, we confirm that the sportsbook is legal by verifying its license and reputation. A wagering platform regulated by the AGCO will have the iGaming Ontario logo on its homepage. Ontario sports betting sites regulated by the AGCO are secure and 100% safe for bettors.
Regarding reputation, we research each betting site's history and look at user reviews and ratings. Additionally, we test the platform first-hand and measure its reliability from our experience.
Accessibility
The idea here is to ensure the sportsbooks we recommend are easy to access across different devices. In other words, bettors should be able to access the platforms via:
- Desktop site
- Mobile app
- Mobile site
At BettingGuide.com, we believe that convenience is critical. So, the best platforms we recommend are sites that allow swift and hassle-free access. If you are interested in finding a high-quality gaming experience on your mobile device while playing in your province, we recommend checking out our guide to the best betting apps in Ontario.
Range of Sports & Betting Markets
Our aim is to ensure bettors have a wide range of wagering options. Therefore, our team looks for sports betting sites with the most popular markets in Ontario. We consider whether a sportsbook offers the “Big Four” — baseball, basketball, football and hockey. Additionally, we check for Canadian favorites, such as lacrosse and MMA, and unique options like eSports, politics betting and more.
Betting Odds & Margins
At BettingGuide.com, we search high and low for sites with fair and competitive odds. Not only do we recommend Ontario sports betting sites with the lowest odds, but we also want bettors to be able to use the odds format they prefer. Therefore, we look for sites that offer the three most common formats:
- American (-135)
- Decimal (2.6)
- Fraction (7/2)
Payment Options
Payment Options
When it comes to real money gambling, there’s no argument that simple and efficient payment methods make things easier. For this reason, we pay close attention to the deposit and withdrawal options available to Ontario bettors. Some of the top transaction channels we look for in a sportsbook are:
- Bank transfer
- Interac
- Credit card
- Debit
- eWallet
Ensuring that a site carries out fast payouts is crucial during our assessment. No player wants to wait many days to get their winnings. So, our experts find sportsbooks that process withdrawals quickly.
Customer Support
It’s always convenient when bettors can access reliable and prompt support. Hence, we don’t skip evaluating our recommended platforms’ customer service channels. These are the main options we look out for:
- FAQs page to answer common questions
- Live chat function for immediate help
- Email for issues that aren't time-sensitive
Note that it’s not only about having these multiple support channels, it’s also crucial that sports betting sites offer 24/7 availability.
Ontario Sports Betting Site Reviews
- #1 Best Betting Apps in Canada
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- Fantastic Mobile Betting Apps for iOS & Android
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- Wide Range of Live Streaming Broadcasts
- 30+ Sports
- Highest Betting Odds in our Tests
- Live Streaming
- Trusted Bookmaker
- High odds
- Fantastic Betting App
- Competitive Odds
- Secure Payment Methods
- Fast Payouts
- Fantastic Sports Betting Apps
- High Betting Odds
- Great Rewards Progam
- Good welcome bonus with clear and affordable conditions.
- 50+ Sports categories available.
- Reliable bookmaker licenced by MGA.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Ontario?
Will Ontario sports betting be taxed?
What is the legal age to place sports bets in Ontario?
Which are the best sportsbooks in Ontario?
Where can I place sports bets in Ontario?
Who regulates sports betting in Ontario?
Is single-game betting available in Ontario?
Is bet365 legal in Ontario?
Can I use DraftKings in Ontario?
Ijeoma Esther is an iGaming content writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the mobile casino industry. While initially diving into online casino gaming as a hobby, she soon found herself immersed in the enthralling world of mobile slot and live casino games. Through the years, she discovered that writing about her favourite pokies was just as fun as playing them.