As the home to many of Canada’s most prominent sports teams, Ontario is no stranger to sports betting. However, the activity has grown increasingly popular in the province, especially since it launched its first iGaming market. Punters now have access to a wide range of sports and betting options and can even play online casinos in Ontario via many exciting gaming sites.
This post explores the landscape and everything you must know about sports betting in Ontario. Let’s get into it.
The Landscape of Sports Betting in Ontario
Sports betting has been available and legal in Canada and Ontario. However, it had only been in the form of parlays through provincial lotteries. The story changed on June 22, 2021, when Parliament passed a game-changing bill called C-218 – the “Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act.” The bill altered the national criminal code to allow single-game wagering on all events.
Another change within Ontario’s territory is that the province launched its new iGaming market on April 4, 2022. This opened up doors to international online sportsbooks in the Ontario sports market under the regulations of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Before this, OLG and PROLINE+, the territory’s legacy sportsbook, monopolized the legal space of Ontario’s betting industry and other gambling activities in the province.
Where to Bet on Sports in Ontario
As mentioned, single-game betting is now officially legal in Ontario. This means Canadian players in Ontario can freely place bets on single-game bets alongside live bets and parlay bets within the territory. This can be done in two primary ways: OLG Proline & PROLINE+ or international sports sites.
The OLG-Proline & PROLINE+ is Ontario’s legacy sports betting site offering various sports betting services to punters in Ontario. The site is owned and operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, a corporation owned by the Government of Ontario. The PROLINE+ is the newer version of the previous Proline, featuring an expanded sports betting selection, including single-event betting across more than 12 popular sports.
Ontario bettors can also visit offshore international sports betting sites approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO). There are currently 30 sports betting sites in Ontario’s betting market with all the necessary regulatory approvals.
Types of Sports & Betting Options in Ontario
The Ontario sports betting market features various sports that Canadian players can place bets on. Some of the most popular betting options on Ontario’s betting market include baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, golf, tennis, and others.
| Bet Type | Description |
| Moneyline | The money line bet is the most straightforward bet involving wagering on who will win a match-up between the favourite and the underdog. |
| Over/Under (OU) | The Over/Under bet involves predicting the total number of goals/points of a game. |
| Point Spread (PS) | A point spread bet is a type of sports betting that involves placing a wager on a team to win by a margin of victory or to not lose by more than a certain amount. |
| Prop Bets | A Prop bet is a bet type that involves predicting specific outcomes in a game or players’ performance. This can include the number of touchdowns a player will score or the colour of Gatorade dumped on the winning coach. |
How to Start Betting in Ontario
Due to its flexibility, convenience, and other benefits, online gambling via sportsbook sites is the go-to option for most gamblers worldwide. Ontario is no exception, as Canadian players in the territory are taking advantage of what the online gambling industry has to offer bettors in Ontario.
That said, below is a step-by-step guide on betting on sports in Ontario:
- Find the best sportsbook for you.
- Sign up with the sportsbook.
- Deposit funds into your newly created account.
- Locate the sports and games you are interested in placing bets on.
- Choose your preferred bet types from the list of options offered.
- Enter the amount you want to bet.
- Place your wagers.
It’s that simple. But you should note that finding the best sportsbook is quite critical to your gambling experience. You must ensure that the betting site you are playing on is a reputable, fully licensed, and regulated platform. It must also have everything you need in a sportsbook, from payment methods to great customer support, excellent mobile experience, etc.
Tips for Successful Sports Betting in Ontario
It is undeniable that luck plays a significant role in the outcome of casino games and sports betting. We cannot ignore the element of skill. Successful bettors learn everything about betting and then apply skills, strategies, and experience to improve their chances of winning.
Thankfully, there are many tips and techniques that Canadian players can explore to be successful in sports betting. Some of these include:
- Learn the basic rules.
- Set your budget and manage your bankroll.
- Be selective.
- Always compare odds and lines.
- Always avoid betting when you are impaired.
- Keep a record of your betting history and learn from it.
Responsible Gambling in Ontario
Gambling should be fun. However, it can also result in problem gambling and become an addiction when punters don’t exercise control. When this happens, many disastrous consequences and problems can arise. This is why bettors must always prioritize responsible gambling when participating in sports betting online.
Thankfully, responsible gambling is taken seriously in Ontario, and the regulatory bodies consistently enforce necessary standards. OLG, the operator of Ontario’s legacy gambling products, including Proline, is known to be fully invested in promoting positive and healthy, responsible play. All the products of OLG have top-notch controlled gaming measures and provide access to resources and help when gambling stops being enjoyable.
Also, all the sports betting operators that Ontario has opened its jurisdiction to have responsible gaming measures in place. To cap it all, bodies like the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) provide access to resources and help on the issue of problem gambling on the national scale.
Conclusion
The landscape of online sports betting has improved in recent years. The province has moved from allowing access to only one legal sports betting site to opening its doors to top-rated international sportsbooks. Punters in Ontario can now place bets on many sports using various betting options on several sportsbooks.
However, adopting essential betting tips and strategies is crucial to increase your chances of winning your wagers. Also, remember always to prioritize responsible gambling on online casino sites and sportsbooks.
Author: Jackson Tremblay
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