Close

The best Ontario sports betting sites in December 2024

Written by: Kate Matthews

Fact checked by: Martin Pramatarov

Map of Canada, where state of Ontario is pinned.

Want to know where to find the best betting sites Ontario? You are at the right place. Here you will learn where you can place bets in the Canadian province legally and how to get the best out of your experience. Learn more about the specifics of Ontario sports betting market. Check out the first-class Ontario online sports betting sites we have selected for you and have good luck!

Best sportsbooks OntarioLegal bettingImportant lawsLegal ageOur criteriaPopular betting sportsPopular ON sports teamsFAQ

The best betting sites Ontario

Verified by: Kate Matthews Author at GameZinger.com
Last updated: 17.12.2024
Online casinoExpert ratingWelcome BonusDistinctive featuresPayment MethodsRead full casino reviewSignificant Terms
4.9/5 Up to C$ 200 if your first bet loses
  • Live casino
  • Daily tournaments
  • Mobile friendly
Claim Bonus!Terms & Conditions apply
4.9/5 Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
  • Live Sports betting
  • Mobile app available
  • MGM Rewards Loyalty program
Claim Bonus!Terms & Conditions apply

With over 30 legal sportsbooks operating, and big names like BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Borgata, sports fans are spoilt for choice. Ontario’s legacy sports betting site ProLine+ of the provincial lottery is still running. Read on to catch up on all the latest developments about Ontario sports betting, the best online sportsbooks, and the top sports and teams to place wagers on. Is sports betting legal in Ontario? Learn the answer to this and other information related to online gambling on this page. Having spent hours in research and testing, we have found the best Ontario sportsbooks.

Before placing bets, it’s important to consult unbiased Ontario sportsbook reviews like this one. Legal Ontario sports betting takes place through OLG’s ProLine+ licensed online sportsbooks such as Caesars and BetMGM, presently available at 11 retail locations. Residents of the province can take part in major events such as the Vanier Cup at Ontario sportsbooks.

Anyone, regardless of location, can register and deposit at new online sportsbooks, but only those located within Ontario will be able to bet. Sports bettors can place their first single-game bets from home, sports bars, or anywhere in Ontario. Bettors must be within provincial borders during online sports betting at AGCO-regulated platforms. Residents must turn on their location services and confirm their whereabouts before wagering.

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario standards apply to all sports, esports, novelty, betting exchange, and fantasy sports products, including single-event, in-game, pool, parlay, and exchange bets and various other bet types. Esports may be legal, but virtual sports under the regulatory guidelines count as online casino games. Crypto is not allowed for online sports betting in Ontario. Sweepstakes casinos are legal in Canada but are currently in the grey area in the state.

  • Virtual sports & Esports

    Finally, virtual sports, e-sports, and fantasy sports betting have become officially legal in the Canadian province. Esports play a key role in Ontario’s betting market. All Ontario sportsbooks offer betting on CS: GO, League of Legends, and other prominent competitions. Esports’ popularity has absolutely skyrocketed since 2020.

  • Horse racing

    Ontario has 15 live racetracks and a few off-track betting locations, each offering pari-mutuel wagering on domestic and international races. Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke is the largest and most popular one in the province that features a standalone venue, Casino Woodbine. Ontarians also have online horse betting options. The Horse Racing License Act, 2015 is the law that governs horse racing in the province.

  • College sports

    Betting on college sports is allowed without any limitations on the local teams. Ontarians usually bet on NCAA tournaments, most notably the NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball. March Madness is heavily bet on, with Ontario sports betting sites offering players props, futures, and various challenges. Live betting on university sports is also lawful, so you have a full range of bets at your disposal when you create that bet slip.

  • Mobile betting

    Mobile betting is allowed and offered at the top mobile sports betting apps. You can place single-game sports wagers from anywhere in the province with just a few taps. From April 4, 2022, players physically located within Ontario can place legal bets with registered Ontario sportsbooks.

  • Retail sportsbooks and betting kiosk

    Land-based sportsbooks in Ontario are lawful but with certain limitations. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) oversees online and retail betting.

    There’s only one full-service retail sportsbook in the Home of Niagara Falls: Caesars Windsor. Certain casinos and select locations owned by Great Canadian Entertainment also offer retail sports betting through their kiosks.

Most popular land-based sportsbooks in Ontario
Verified by:Kate MatthewsAuthor at Gamezinger.com
Last updated: 28.10.2024
SportsbookLocationOwnerLaunch dateOnline betting / Gambling website
377 Riverside Dr E, Windsor, ON N9A 7H7Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and Caesars Entertainment, Inc.Jan. 11, 2023Yes
40 Icomm Dr, Brantford, ON N3S 7S9Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE)Oct. 28, 2022No
21777 Island Rd, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B6Mississaugas of the Scugog Island First Nation, Brookfield Business Partners LP and Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE)Oct. 28, 2022No
888 Durham Live Avenue, Pickering, ON L1W 0C1Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE)Oct. 28, 2022No
380 Bell Blvd, Belleville, ON K8P 5H9Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE)Oct. 28, 2022No
1400 Crawford Dr, Peterborough, ON K9J 7J1, CanadaGreat Canadian Entertainment (GCE)October 15, 2018No
1000 Island Parkway, Thousand Islands, ON K7G 2W8, Canada Resource 2Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE)June 2002No
935 Regional Road 25, Milton, ON L9T 7Y3, CanadaGreat Canadian Entertainment (GCE) 1999 (opened as “Great Canadian Milton Slots”) / 2012 (rebranded as “Elements Casino Flamboro”) / 2019 (moved to its current location and renamed “Elements Casino Mohawk”)No
555 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto, ON M9W 5B2, CanadaWoodbine Entertainment Group (WEG)March 27, 2004No
9280 Woodbine Rd, Elora, ON N0B 1S0, CanadaGreat Canadian Entertainment (GCE)2002No
Load More

Ontario’s prevailing form of wagering is still online sports betting through licensed operators.

History of Ontario sports betting

From illegal backrooms to regulated online platforms, Ontario’s sports betting market has undergone a dramatic transformation. For decades, residents were limited to using government-run options like Proline and parlay bets. All of this changed in April 2022, when Ontario joined the nationwide legalization of single-event sports betting. This shift allowed the freedom of a wider variety of sportsbooks and a more dynamic betting experience. Let’s delve deeper into the evolution from restricted bets to the current wave of various sports betting options.

1985 – Betting on single-game sports is prohibited

In 1985, Bill C-81 banned single game sports betting to make sure that games and matches are not fixed. Individual provinces including Ontario were allowed to run lotteries. In October 1992, ProLine officially launched in the province.

July 2021 Single-game betting becomes lawful

In 2021, Bill C-218 (the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act) was introduced as an amendment to the Criminal Code on sports betting. On June 29, 2021, the bill received royal assent, and single-game betting was legalized for the first time in Canada. Later, on September 9, 2021, the AGCO finalized the regulatory standards for Ontario’s online gambling market.

April 2022 – Online gambling officially legal in Ontario

On April 4, 2022, Ontario legalized its iGaming market. The same month appeared the first commercial sportsbooks and mobile apps. With the recently launched operators in the province, PaySafe announced its support for iGaming platforms and payments in the Great Lakes Province. The brand has been a popular banking option for Canadians for a long time, which will go on with the creation of new partnerships. In April 2022, residents have 30 official sports betting apps operating in the market.

Later, in December 2022, AGCO required all registered iGaming operators to quit wagers on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events for non-compliance issues with AGCO’s betting integrity laws since suspicious betting patterns called for further investigation.

Early trends in Ontario’s gambling market (January – July 2023)

January 2023 research showed that residents placed the most numerous bets on teams in Ontario’s recently regulated market on the Buffalo Bills and Toronto Blue Jays. A January 2024 report estimated Ontario iGaming market for the whole of the 2023 year at $17.2 billion in bets. At the end of June 2023, Gaming Ontario reported to have reviewed 28 new licence requests.

In July 2023, iGaming published the first FY 2023-24 Q1 market report, which revealed that sports betting’s contribution of the total $14 billion spent online was only $2 billion. At the end of July 2023, STX became the first regulated Ontario betting exchange. At that time Heidi Reinhart was appointed as the new Chair by Gaming Ontario.

August 2023 – February 2024 AGCO bans Ontario internet gambling ads made by athletes and celebrities

On August 29, 2023, AGCO prohibited the use of athletes for promoting online gaming in ads in Ontario. Much later, at the end of February 2024 the prohibition on athletes and celebrities in commercials and on-site copy that advertises gambling online in the Great Lakes Province went into effect right away.

May 28th – June 2nd – The RBC Canadian Open

On May 30, 2024, with men’s national gold championship, RBC Canadian Open underway, Ontario sports betters gave major support to the Canadian golfers. BetMGM Sportsbook claims that the event took more wagers from Ontario than from any other district where the brand operates. BetMGM also noted that seven out of the top 20 most-bet players that won the event are Canadians.

The most important sports betting laws in Ontario

Is sports betting legal in Ontario and since when? Here’s a run-down of the main stages of the legislation process in the province’s sports betting. In April 2022, single-game sports betting became lawful in the Home of Niagara Falls. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is the regulator that oversees and licenses online sportsbooks.

The minimum legal gambling age in the Central Canadian Province is 19. Only Ontario betting sites registered with the AGCO have the right to offer legal sports betting in the province. The state allows betting on a wide range of sports, esports, and novelty events, with exceptions such as events with a minor participant. There are certain restrictions such as cryptocurrency not being allowed for sports bets.

As of June 2024, a ban on using athletes and celebrities in gambling on online advertisements phased in between August 2023 and February 2024 was put into effect. AGCO emphasizes the importance of responsible gambling practices. Laws and regulations are subject to change, so do not hesitate to consult the AGCO website for updated information.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has set up strict criteria for sports bets to adhere to be considered acceptable. Of course, any bets that appear unethical, dangerous, placed on a fixed event, or involve minors (under 18) are off-limits.

You must be 19 to visit legal Ontario betting sites (21+ for Caesars) or Great Canadian Sportsbook locations. Those who are 18 can place in-person wagers at an OLG lottery terminal. As of Feb. 1, 2022, single-game betting is available at approximately 10,000 Ontario retailers.

Is sports betting legal in Ontario and what’s the betting age? Here’s comparison data on that.

Legal sports betting age

Betting typeLegal age at land-based establishmentLegal age onlineLegal since
Casinos (slots, table games, electronic games)19+19+2022
Horse racing (pari-mutuel betting)19+Not Applicable19th century
Sports betting (single-event and parlay wagering)19+19+2021

How to choose the best Ontario sports betting sites

We have thoroughly reviewed each of the prospective Ontario sportsbooks on this page has for quality, reliability, ease of use, and other key factors to make sure that we offer you the best ones available on the sports betting market. With our help, you can have an enjoyable, safe, and overall wonderful experience. Here are the main points in our strict criteria of choice.

Best overall sports betting platformBetMGM
The most generous bonusesBetway
Excellent betting optionsTonyBet
Top betting oddsCaesars
Great mobile betting experienceBetMGM
Online sportsbook with high-securityBetMGM
Great payment methodsBetMGM
Excellent choice for withdrawal speedBetway
High-class customer serviceJackpotCity
Best browser and app user interfaceCaesars

Key features

When selecting the best online betting sites Ontario, we look for the ones that offer live streaming, early cash out, and in-play betting in their wagering interface. We also choose platforms with the best casino bonuses in Canada.

Accessibility & user experience

An Ontario betting site that cannot ensure a quick and reliable service is not worth it. There is nothing more annoying than watching a spinning wheel on the screen when struggling to place a bet before the chance to do it expires. The best online betting sites Ontario residents can use offer exceptional service that always delivers first-class internet access. Simple is better when it comes to gambling. Customers look for ease of use, an intuitive interface, and all the betting options available for their hassle-free user experience. Factors like parlay bets and live betting make the best betting sites Ontario easily recognizable.

Online Ontario sportsbooks’ reputation

The top Ontario sportsbooks on this page are legal, regulated and live up to the scrutiny of provincial license facilitators who create the gaming laws in the Canadian province. We expect the record of payouts of our recommended platforms to be impeccable and their betting lines – fair and competitive. The leading Ontario sports betting sites must also provide resources for responsible gambling to bettors.

Safety and trust

We highly value regulatory transparency and accountability regarding licenses and security features. The best Ontario sports betting sites we have chosen always deliver to bettors’ expectations so they can count on them. Payouts and deposits with them are speedy. Betting lines are posted quickly and are competitive with other sites.

Mobile sports betting experience

Players prefer to have available mobile sports betting options through easy to find and download on any mobile device apps to be able to gamble. The best Ontario sports betting apps we vouch for include everything available on the respective website so that players can easily access markets from smartphones and tablets when on the go. Our team looks for Ontario sportsbooks optimized for mobile sports betting to ensure the best possible experience. In the worst case, some platforms offer mobile play options directly from browsers. Our recommended mobile sportsbooks respond promptly and are user-friendly.

Banking and withdrawal speed

Our team recommends online sports betting legal platforms that process withdrawals and deposits quickly and efficiently. They have the most preferred payout methods and rarely incur fees on the platform’s side.

Sports available to bet on

Most of the Ontario betting sites on this page offer the major North American leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB, with many going far beyond that. The leading platforms have abundant betting markets on soccer, golf, tennis, and auto racing, and other niche sports. The top ones cover Canadian-specific sports such as the CFL and CPSL with profuse betting options.

The best online betting sites Ontario must promptly deliver competitive odds to bettors and provide a variety of options (alternative lines and first- and second-half lines, etc).

The most popular sports in the Land of Lakes

Canada’s most populous province has a rich sporting culture with a devoted fanbase. A diverse range of sports captures the hearts and attention of Ontarians. The most favored events by Ontario sports bettors include classic Canadian sports like hockey as well as world-famous sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. Here’s an overview of the top sports you can find at the best sports betting sites Ontario:

Ice Hockey

No doubt ice hockey is the king in Ontario sports betting. The long winters and inborn cultural connection to the sport make it a preferred pastime for participants and spectators. Ontario is home to seven National Hockey League (NHL) teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens (although geographically in Quebec, they have lots of fans in eastern Ontario) as well as four others. Local minor hockey leagues thrive across the province, creating future stars and ensuring a lifelong love for the sport.

Canadian Football

Ice hockey dominates Ontarian winters, while Canadian football is the king during the warmer months, both of which you will find at the best Ontario sports betting sites. This fast-paced, high-scoring version of gridiron football has a loyal following. Ontario has three Canadian Football League (CFL) teams: the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks. The CFL’s shorter season and unique rules create a thrilling viewing experience.

Basketball

Basketball enjoys great popularity with Ontarians, both as a participatory and spectator sport. The province can be proud of its strong presence in professional basketball with the Toronto Raptors (NBA). College basketball at universities like the University of Toronto and Carleton University also gathers significant interest. Basketball’s accessibility, fast pace, and strategic elements explain its widespread appeal.

Baseball

Baseball holds a special place in Ontario’s sporting landscape, and you can place bets on it at the best Ontario betting sites. From the iconic Toronto Blue Jays (Major League Baseball) to numerous minor teams and amateur leagues, the sport offers opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. Many families enjoy the tradition of attending baseball games through the summer-long season.

Soccer

Soccer, or football as it is known in many parts of the world, is experiencing a surge in popularity in Ontario, especially with younger generations. The growth of professional soccer leagues like Major League Soccer (MLS), and teams like Toronto FC, has increased this interest. Soccer’s accessibility, requiring minimal equipment, has contributed to its popularity among children and adults alike.

College Sports

Since Canadian teams in the NCAAB and NCAAF are few, you can place bets on your favorite American sides. Find the latest odds on college play-offs or league winners or enjoy single-game sports betting on football or basketball as you wish.

More Ontario sports betting sports

The best online betting sites Ontario feature almost every sport on earth. Betting online gives you the benefit to be able to wager not just in the province of Ontario, but on sports offered all over the world. Sports fans can bet on the NFL season which takes place from August through February every year and get great odds on all the PGA Tour events and major championships throughout the whole season.

Whatever your passion: motor racing (including Formula 1 and NASCAR), tennis, curling, UFC, cricket, go ahead and place your bets in Ontario to receive competitive odds from the best Ontario sports betting sites. With them you will find markets not only on the major North American leagues, but in-built markets and sports such as boxing, cycling and the like. Tennis and golf are other excellent opportunities for in-play betting, and you can even watch some games live.

The most important sports teams from Home of Niagara Falls

Ontario’s capital, Toronto, is the largest Canadian city and a hub for the nation’s most popular sports teams. The Toronto Raptors (Canada’s lone NBA franchise) and Ottava Senators (NHL) are the teams that generate the main online gambling action. The Raptors’ 2018-19 title run rejuvenated the country and earned them crowds of sports fans from all Canadian provinces.

Single-game sports betting in Ontario is legal, so you can back the big US sides online or wager on major Canadian teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and other competitions, such as horse racing. Here are the most prominent Ontario sports teams to bet on.

Toronto Raptors logo

Toronto Raptors (NBA)

The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) sharing an arena with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The latter cannot boast with Toronto Raptors’ recent achievement, who finished the 2020-21 season in 12th with a 27-45 record. Toronto Raptors’ parent company, Maple Leaf Sports, and Entertainment (MLSE), owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs as well, inked a long-term agreement with PointsBet Canada. This merging of the forces of the victorious Raptors with a leading sports betting operator created a powerful marketing and fan engagement partnership. Residents interested in basketball can check NBA betting sites and March Madness betting platforms.

Toronto Maple Leafs logo

Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

The Maple Leafs are Ontario’s premier hockey team that competes in the Eastern Conference of the NHL. They finished 6th in the 2020-21 regular season. PointsBet is the official sports betting partner for all of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)’s pro teams, including the Leafs. Just three days before its agreement with PointsBet, MLSE signed a deal with FanDuel. The Maple Leafs has had 13 Stanley Cup victories, but the last was in 1967. Their most recent victories were the NHL Atlantic Division championships wins in 2020 and 2021.

Ottawa Senators logo

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Undoubtedly, the focus on the Ontario sports picture is on Toronto, particularly on NHL online sportsbooks, but Ottawa has horse racing teams and activities as well. The Senators have partnered with the operator of Bet99 Sportsbook, Sports Venture Holdings. The Senators lack the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prestige and success, having a smaller but very loyal group of followers.

Despite having their share of historically bad periods, the team’s prospects are high. The Sens try their best to take more NHL titles but for now, they are playing a secondary role to the Leafs. Sports betting in Ontario would be a spectacle to watch if the two meet on the field for a Divisional title.

Toronto Blue Jays logo

Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)

Competing in Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays play in the American League (AL) East division. Having slumped till 2015 when they made the playoffs, the team had a period of incredible dominance in the World Series Champions in 1992 and 1993, followed by a lengthy period of over 20 years without success in reaching the playoffs. 2015 was a turning point in their revival as they returned to the playoffs.

Recently, the Blue Jays have been playing very successfully and once again betting on them has a realistic prospect of winning. The Score Bet signed a 10-year partnership with the team, which includes signage and VIP seating, along with plans to construct a year-round sports bar and restaurant inside Rogers Centre.

Toronto FC logo

Toronto FC (MLS)

Toronto FC is Ontario’s youngest professional team to play their first season in Major League Soccer in 2007. Their on-field results have been inconstant, marked by a brief window of success with lots of trophies, winning the MLS Cup twice in 2017 and 2019. FanDuel and other sportsbook marketing is prominent throughout the club’s home stadium, BMO Field.

Other types of gambling legal in the Land of Lakes

The Ontario iGaming market is home to some of the best gambling sites in Canada and the top sportsbooks, with over 90% of all regulated operators holding licenses for both verticals. DraftKings has focused solely on its sports betting product, unlike their rival FanDuel. Players can use thousands of slots, table games, and live dealer games from Evolution and other notable providers. Thankfully, Ontarians have had lots of gambling options for decades, the latest expansion being the online gambling platforms. The state has more than enough casino and betting venues for all tastes. Here are the available options:

Online casinos

The AGCO and iGaming Ontario have approved 69 registered online casino operators so far. With the newly established iGaming Ontario in charge of the province’s new online gambling activities, more of the best online casinos Canada are likely to pop up in the future. Slots, table games, and live dealer games are all legal and available through OLG.ca, and other online casino platforms such as BetMGM and BetRivers.

Land-based casinos

The Gaming Control Act of 1992 legalized in-person casino gambling in Ontario. The province is home to over 29 brick-and-mortar casinos, but none are within the city of Toronto. Some offer slot machines and racetracks only, while others have slots, table games, poker, bingo, and sports betting.

Live poker

Poker is available at plenty of gambling venues, including Casino Niagara and Caesars Windsor. You can play live poker at a large number of the province’s casinos, while online poker is available through the OLG. Thanks to NSUS Limited having registered as an online gaming operator, wsop.ca (World Series of Poker) has been launched since 2022.

Lottery and draw games

You can play draw and instant-win games through official retailers. Draw games are available at Ontario casino sites and sportsbooks according to the Central Canadian Province’s laws.

Allowed types of gamblingMinimum legal ageSubtypes of gambling allowed
Commercial land-based casinos21Casinos, retail sports betting, and pari-mutuel
Internet gambling21Online/mobile casinos, sports betting, DFS, and poker
Tribal casinos18–
Poker rooms21–
Horse Racing18–
Charity gambling18Bingo, poker, raffles, “Millionaire parties”
Lottery18–
Sports Betting21–

Sports betting in Ontario – the Conclusion

Is sports betting legal in Ontario? Not only it is, but the betting scene is constantly developing, already showing impressive progress. The first Canadian province to take advantage of the new federal law has a sports betting industry open to competition.

Ontario sports fans can now legally access the best global betting brands, knowing that the sportsbook revenues are taxed, and residents benefit from it. This is all monitored by the Ontario Lottery and gaming corporation. If you are a sports enthusiast but are worried about the risks of online gambling, the Ontario regulator has your back. You can now safely wager online in the province by following the advice in our Ontario sportsbook reviews.

Kate MatthewsAuthor at Gamezinger.com

Ontario sports betting FAQ

Which are the best betting sites Ontario?

Have a look at the beginning of this page where we compare the top-rated online sportsbooks in Ontario.

What sports can I place bets on in the province?

If you have read reliable Ontario sportsbook reviews like this one, you must have found the most popular markets like NBA, lacrosse, NHL, MLB, soccer, etc. More about it check here.

Is sports betting legal in Ontario?

Yes, it has been legal since 1985. Single-game betting became effective on Aug. 27, 2021, and has been ever since.