Ontario has officially launched regulated online sports betting, becoming the first Canadian province to allow privately-owned sportsbooks to operate. Twenty-seven operators have received licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to offer iGaming services.

With 13.4 million residents, Ontario represents Canada's largest potential sports betting market. Major operators including Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, FanDuel, Bet365, and PointsBet have secured licenses to operate in the province.

Key Market Developments:

• Single-game retail sports betting has been legal since August 2021
• Provincial lotteries began offering online sports betting in late 2021
• DraftKings and FanDuel suspended DFS operations on April 1 due to new regulations requiring:
  • Ontario-only player pools
  • $100,000 annual licensing fees
  • 20% revenue tax

Legislative Background: Bill C-218 passed in June 2021, allowing Canadian provinces to regulate single-game sports betting individually. Previously, only parlay bets were legal in Canada. The bill amended the Criminal Code to enable provinces to establish their own sports betting frameworks.

The Ontario market launch marks a significant milestone in Canadian sports betting history, opening the door for regulated online wagering in the country's most populous province. While some operators like DraftKings await licensing approval, the market continues to evolve as more companies enter the space.

Provincial lotteries (OLG, ALC, and BCLC) continue to offer their own sports betting services, though typically with different odds and spreads compared to private operators.

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