Sports Betting Ontario — Online Betting & Sportsbooks 2023

BetMGM

BetMGM is one of the biggest names in sports betting. It was one of the first sportsbooks to enter Ontario and is available in numerous US states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio.

Bettors using BetMGM know they are betting with one of the market’s safest and most reliable sportsbooks. BetMGM Sportsbook partners with the NFL, NHL, and many other sports organizations in the US and Canada. These partnerships have helped it grow its brand across North America and gain recognition from the general population.

As an operator, BetMGM has a very easy-to-use app with competitive odds and wide markets. Live betting and in-app live streams are one of the best features that set BetMGM apart from its competitors.

BetMGM is widely regarded as one of the best sportsbooks anyone can choose. If you’re looking to bet on an upcoming sporting event, it’s hard to do better. This makes BetMGM one of the best options for Ontario residents looking to get some action down.

BetVictor

BetVictor is one of the oldest operating sportsbooks available in Canada. It was founded in 1946 as a British sportsbook. Nowadays, BetVictor is based out of Gibraltar and offers a wide market of sports to bet on. BetVictor is a solid choice for any Ontario bettor.

BetVictor maintains a no-frills website and mobile app that both make betting easy and unintimidating for new bettors. Specifically, the interface of both the app and the website makes it easy to find whatever odds you’re looking for and make picks within seconds.

BetVictor’s simplicity also makes depositing and withdrawing funds an easy and reliable process. Bettors rarely have issues with BetVictor’s deposit or withdrawal processes, which is what you would expect from such an established brand. This makes deposits stress-free.

LeoVegas

LeoVegas is another website that gained a reputation in Ontario prior to the legalization of sports betting as a grey market betting site. LeoVegas is based in Malta, but it now has a licence to operate a legal sportsbook in Ontario.

The best thing about LeoVegas is its app. For us, LeoVegas’s mobile app is the best on the market. Unlike some other operators, their app allows you to bet on everything you would be able to bet on using their website. The app is also easy to use and offers lots of stats and pregame content to help you make smart bets.

Like BetVictor, LeoVegas also offers an online casino for bettors to do more than just gamble on sports when they create a LeoVegas account.

Another strong point of LeoVegas is how it caters to Ontario bettors specifically. LeoVegas offers a wide variety of betting markets but especially offers a variety of bets for Ontario teams and leagues.

BetRivers Ontario

BetRivers is a lesser-known sportsbook in Canada. It’s a US company that has just entered the Canadian market through its BetRivers Ontario brand. Despite its small reputation in Canada, BetRivers Ontario is a good choice for new bettors in Ontario.

BetRivers is an especially good choice for bettors who enjoy live betting (i.e., betting on ongoing games). While many sites offer live betting, BetRivers offers a broader market of live bets, making it easier to place your bets than many other websites.

With BetRivers, you can watch live games on its website or app. Live stats, predictions, and odd history add to the experience of betting live with BetRivers. You can enjoy streaming sports markets as you can navigate the menu to show different games on the screen of your devices.

BetRiver also offers competitive odds. For us, BetRivers has as good of odds as any other site you could use in Ontario.

Royal Panda

Royal Panda made its name in Canada as an online casino. Based in Malta, Royal Panda is now an officially licensed sportsbook in Ontario. The sportsbook doesn’t have an official app in Canada yet, but its well-designed website is incredibly optimized and easy to use on Android and iOS.

Royal Panda is another website that offers a wide variety of live-streaming options for bettors who want to watch the game in the same place as they place live bets on it.

Unibet

Unibet is another British sportsbook that has recently come to North America. While relatively new to this continent, Unibet is an established and reliable brand in the UK and Europe. As a result, bettors can feel comfortable depositing their money and gambling with Unibet.

Because of its European presence, Unibet is an excellent choice for Ontarian bettors interested in European soccer. It offers a wide range of soccer markets and betting options you might have trouble finding anywhere else.

Unibet also offers an online casino with an active player base and regular high and low-stakes tournaments.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Ontario?

Sports betting has been legal in Ontario since April 2022. After the Canadian Parliament passed bill C-218 in 2021, it created a pathway for provinces and territories to regulate their own legal gambling markets.

This meant that provinces and territories were responsible for creating their own sports betting markets with province-specific standards and restrictions. This model for legalizing sports betting is very similar to the one in the United States.

Where to Bet on Sports Online in Ontario?

There are 26 legal online sportsbooks in Ontario. You can place a bet virtually from anywhere inside Ontario using these sportsbooks’ websites and mobile apps.

These legal sportsbooks range from big names in the private industry, like BetMGM, to less well-known government-run sportsbooks, like PROLINE+. The full list of online sports books includes 888sport, bet365, Bet99, Betano, BetMGM, BetRivers, BetVictor, Betway, Bwin, Caesars, Coolbet, DraftKings sportsbook, FanDuel, LeoVegas, NorthStar Bets, PartySports, Pinnacle, PlayFallsview, PointsBet, PokerStars, PROLINE+, Rivalry, Royal Panda, Sports Interaction, theScore Bet, and Unibet.

In addition to betting online from the comfort of your home or the sports bar, certain casinos and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation locations also allow you to place sports bets in person.

What Sportsbook in Ontario Has The Best Odds?

When choosing a sportsbook, the odds are one of the first things you should check. A small difference in odds can result in a massive change in your win/loss. FanDuel Sportsbook has the most competitive odds out of the many sportsbooks operating in Ontario. FanDuel is one of the biggest names in sports betting thanks to its aggressive marketing and strong product.

To keep bettors coming back, FanDuel offers some of the best odds out there. Some alternatives to FanDuel that offer good odds as well are Bet365 Ontario, PointsBet, and Caesars sportsbook. FanDuel routinely has some of the most competitive lines and low vigorish.

What Sportsbook in Ontario Has The Most Betting Markets?

BetMGM Sportsbook offers the largest betting markets for sports bettors in Ontario. This is not surprising to some, considering just how big a name BetMGM is in the iGaming industry. They offer betting lines for a huge number of events, including coverage of the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, the UFC, and the CFL. Like FanDuel, BetMGM is one of the biggest sportsbooks out there. They also were one of the first sportsbooks to enter Ontario once sports betting was legalized.

If you are a sports bettor looking for a variety of events to bet on, BetMGM Sportsbook is your best option. If you don’t want to use BetMGM, some good alternatives are Caesars Ontario, Bally Bet, and NorthStar Bets Sportsbook.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sports Betting Online

Before considering whether to partake in legal sports betting, you should know the positives and negatives of betting in Ontario. Here are the biggest pros and cons we think you should know about:

✔️ PRO: Sports betting can make sports more exciting.

Whether you are a casual sports fan or a diehard, having money on the game raises the stakes and will make you more invested in the outcome.

✔️ PRO: Sports betting is convenient because of the ability to bet online and with mobile apps

The days of having to go to the casino to gamble are long gone. Bettors in Ontario can now place a bet from anywhere using 100% legal online sportsbooks and mobile apps.

✔️ PRO: You could potentially win big.

If we are being honest, this is probably the reason many people bet on sports. Everyone wants to be the person who knows something everyone else doesn’t and wins big by betting on the underdog.

❌ CON: There is a risk involved.

This con goes hand-in-hand with the last pro. The potential of winning big can be intoxicating to some people. Everyone should set strict limits for themselves to avoid falling into a situation that can be hard to come back from. Stop and seek help if you feel your sports betting is becoming a problem.

✔️ PRO: Ontario’s system creates jobs, tax revenue, and provides a safe alternative to shady betting markets.

Before Ontario legalized sports betting, bettors had to use so-called “grey markets” to place online bets using overseas sportsbooks. By using these sportsbooks, bettors left themselves vulnerable to being preyed upon by unregulated entities. Additionally, Ontario is now able to raise funds through taxes that would have otherwise been missed out on.

❌ CON: Gambling ads now rule the airwaves.

It is nearly impossible to consume any sports content without seeing gambling ads. The vast majority of our favourite teams, players, and sports media personalities have partnered with sports betting companies. Most people just think these constant ads are annoying. For others, these ads could be a constant reminder of an addiction they are currently fighting.

What Are the Most Popular Sports to Bet on?

There countless different sports and betting markets that Ontario residents have access to. Here is a quick list of some of the most popular.

🏒 Hockey

Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada; therefore, it makes perfect sense for it to be one of the most popular sports for betting activity. The NHL is the top hockey league in the world and one of the top North American sports leagues.

🏀 Basketball

Basketball is another very popular sport in Ontario. It’s also one of the fastest-growing sports in the province. The Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA Championship helped the game’s growth in Ontario.

🏈 Football

With Ontario being so closely located in the USA, it makes sense that there are plenty of football fans in Ontario. While the sport may not have as much accessibility for Canadians, it’s still a favourite.

🥍 Lacrosse

As one of Canada’s two national sports, lacrosse holds a special place in the country’s heart. While the National Lacrosse League may not be as big as other professional leagues, it’s still very relevant to many across Canada, from Saskatchewan to Newfoundland.

⚽ Soccer

Soccer is another sport experiencing a rapid increase in popularity across the country. While playing the sport during the winter months in Ontario may be difficult, the recent success of both the men’s and women’s national teams is encouraging.

⛳ Golf

Golf is another sport that is super popular with Canadian sports bettors. There is a lot of news about the decision made by players to join the LIV Tour or stick with the PGA Tour. The drama should make this upcoming season exciting.

🥊 Boxing

Boxing is another sport that Canadians love to bet on. Many sportsbooks offer boxing betting as a feature within their product, and the information shows that people in Ontario love to bet on it.

🏎️ F1

Formula 1 is quickly growing worldwide, thanks partly to the show Drive to Survive. In Canada, it’s the same story, and sports bettors are starting to place more and more wagers on the exciting sport.

Players’ Favourite Bet Types

Check the most common sports betting types in Ontario.

Parlay

Parlays are when you combine multiple bets into one ticket. You only win if every bet is a winner. An example of parlay bet is betting on both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Seattle Kraken to win their next games. You only win if both the Leafs and Kraken win. Because the odds of multiple outcomes coming true are lower than betting on a single outcome, parlays can result in huge payouts. These are a fun choice for bettors looking to throw a few bucks on an unlikely outcome that might pay big.

Margins

Margins bets are betting on a specific margin of victory occurring. For example, you could place a bet on the Bills to beat the Dolphins by a certain margin. These bets will be based on a range of possible margins. In the example above, the bet you would place would be on the Bills to win by a margin of 1-6 points.

Futures

Futures are bets on some far-out outcome. For example, you can bet on who will win the Super Bowl at the start of the season. Futures are good bets for bettors who want to invest throughout the season.

A good example is the current Premier League season in England. There is an exciting title race going on between Arsenal and Manchester City. You’ll be as invested as any diehard fan of either team if you place a futures bet on one of them to win the title.

Moneylines

Moneyline bets are bets on the winner of a single game. This is the simplest form of sports betting. All you need to do is pick the winner to win. The payout for each team’s moneyline will reflect their chance of winning the game.

Point Spreads

The point spread is a tool sportsbooks use to even the playing field when two teams of uneven strength are playing each other.

Point spreads make it easier for bettors to place wagers on games where the quality of one team is much higher than the other. In these situations, the moneyline might not cut it, as sports fans don’t want to bet on those small odds.

If the Toronto Raptors are -9.5 point favorites and you bet on them to win, the Raptors need to win by more than 10 points. On the other side of the coin, the team that they’re playing against needs to finish within 9 points. This is a common example of a point spread, a tool that you will see used a lot in the sports betting industry.

This is one of the most popular betting markets and will be offered by every sportsbook on their desktop site and mobile web page.

Over/Under

Over/under bets are a type of bet that can span many different betting markets. The way this works is that the sportsbook sets a line, and then gamblers can bet on if the number is higher or lower than that line. For example, if Auston Matthews has his line set at 2.5 shots for a game, you can bet if he goes over or under.

Totals

The totals bet is a specific betting market that uses the over/under format. It can be found in every sport and has to do with the total amount of combined scoring between the two teams playing.

5 Steps for Choosing an Online Sports Betting Site in Ontario

1. Pick the Right Sportsbook for You

With so many sportsbooks on the market, it isn’t easy to figure out who you want to do your sports betting with. To find the best sportsbook for you, think about what you want from the sportsbook. Do you value good odds, a wide market of things to bet on, or something else?

Once you decide what you value the most, start doing your research. Reading sports betting guides like this one, Ontario sports betting reviews, and seeing what other Ontarians are saying on social media should help you get a feel for what most sportsbooks offer.

2. Complete Sign-Up

This step should be much easier than the first. Most sportsbooks have a simple sign-up process where you register with your email address. After that, you will need to input some personal details to get approval. The registration process is always made as easy as possible, and sportsbooks will ensure plenty of customer service resources you can use in case you have questions.

3. Check the Odds & Bet

Once you have your account set up, betting should be the easiest step. Peruse the odds and markets offered by your chosen sportsbook and place your bets. If you’re not seeing odds you like or markets you want to be betting on, consider a different sportsbook.

4. User Experience & App Availability

User experience is another area where sportsbooks vary. Some offer slick and very user-friendly UIs that make placing a bet online or using your phone incredibly easy, while others are clunky and lack focus.

Most bettors value user-friendly platforms, but everyone has their own preferences. Either way, as a new bettor, user experience reviews and app availability are things you should consider when choosing a sportsbook.

5. Cash Out

Cash-out policies for most sportsbooks will be fairly similar. Most will take 1-2 days for your withdrawal to be processed and for you to receive your money. In addition, Ontario law states that you do not need to be located in Ontario to cash out from a legal sportsbook.

How We Rate Bookmakers Online in Ontario

The best sportsbook for you will be the sportsbook that best caters to your needs. Because of this, we have compiled a list of the things we look at when rating sportsbooks.

Odds & Markets

Before deciding whether to go with a sportsbook, it is important to know how their odds stack up against the competitors and whether you can even place the bets you want to make using that sportsbook. Therefore, we check to ensure that the sportsbook has competitive odds and low vigorish in their lines.

Terms & Conditions

The terms and conditions of any given sportsbook will likely be similar everywhere you go. For example, every sports book in Ontario will require you to be at least 19 years old and be inside the province of Ontario.

Some important terms and conditions you should keep in mind are if there are any restrictions on the kinds of bets you can place. For example, some sites will allow you to place single-game parlays, while others will not.

Deposit & Withdrawal Methods

Most deposit and withdrawal methods will be fairly straightforward at any sportsbook, but not all deposit and withdrawal methods are allowed at every sportsbook. Look for a sportsbook with plenty of banking options to ensure the best possible experience.

Payout Speed

Related to deposit and withdrawal methods are fast payout speeds. Most sportsbooks will process your withdrawals in 1-2 days, but some can take up to 10 days before you get your money in your bank account.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some sportsbooks also charge a small fee for withdrawals. The fees will depend on the banking options offered by the sportsbook operator and the ways in which you move your money.

Customer Support

For many, a lack of customer support can be a dealbreaker. If you fall into that category, look at a sportsbook’s customer support offerings before creating an account and depositing your money.

Most sportsbooks will have a 24/7 live chat if you need assistance. They will also have a dedicated email address that you can use. Sportsbooks with poor customer support systems will only offer one or neither of these options. The finer sportsbooks will have a phone you can call in addition to 24/7 chat and email options.

Reputation & Security

The rapid growth of sports betting in North America means an array of sportsbooks to choose from. Some are old with great reputations and long histories, while others are new and just making a name for themselves.

Even though this environment can be a little intimidating to new bettors, there is no need to worry. Every licensed sportsbook in Ontario has to abide by strict regulations and rules in its operations.

Mobile Sports Betting App

While nearly every legal online sportsbook available in Ontario has a mobile app, not all are created equally. In addition, some apps are vastly different from their sportsbooks’ websites, and some are incredibly difficult to use.

If you know that you will likely be placing more bets on your phone than your PC, read Google Play and App store reviews of the app before choosing to deposit your money with a sportsbook.