Disclaimer: Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario.
Ontario has officially launched its iGaming market, opening the door to commercial sportsbook operators and changing the face of sports betting in Canada as we know it.
This means that bettors across the country’s most populous province no longer just have one option as there are many Ontario online sportsbooks to choose from.
Note: Must be 19+ years of age to legally wager on sports in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
Why should you download multiple sports betting apps?
There’s nothing wrong with having a favourite sportsbook or two, but there’s also a lot to be said for keeping your options open. Sports bettors have many choices to consider these days. It makes sense to expose yourself to as many options as possible.
You may find that you prefer to bet on certain sports or place certain types of bets at one sportsbook. There could be a pattern that one sportsbook has better lines for a certain sport compared to the others.
How to bet on sports in Ontario
For decades, sports bettors in Ontario looking for legal and safe options were limited to the Proline offerings from Ontario Lottery and Gaming. While it was at least something, the parlay-style games are tough to win consistently and can turn into a major drain of funds.
The introduction of legal single-game wagering expands the options tremendously. Bettors can wager on the sports that they want to in the manner that they are most comfortable with.
Below is an example of the sports that are offered at BetMGM Sportsbook. At a given time of year, there could be even more added to the list below:
Popular team sports such as football, basketball, hockey, and baseball are well-represented at sportsbooks in Ontario. That means that if you’re betting on the CFL, NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB, you are certainly covered.
At the same time, cricket, rugby, and volleyball are among some of the lesser-known sports that you can also wager on. There are also plenty of betting options for individual sports such as golf, tennis, and mixed martial arts.
The huge betting menus are a major advantage, as it’s tough to overstate the benefits of being able to select what you can bet on at the amounts that you are most comfortable with. In short, widespread regulated single-game wagering is what we call a win-win situation.
| Bet Type | How it Works |
|---|---|
| Moneylines | A simple and straightforward bet that involves picking the winner of a game or event. |
| Spreads (puck lines & run lines) | Factor the margin of victory into your wager. A favourite will need to win by more than the spread, while an underdog will need to keep it closer than the spread number or win outright to ‘cover’ the number. |
| Totals | Sportsbooks set a line for the total combined score of a game. Bettors can wager that the final result will be over or under that number. Also offered for quarters, halves, and periods. |
| Props | Wagers not on the conventional moneyline, spread, or total. Generally based on individual player or team accomplishments or specific game circumstances. |
| Parlays | Multi-leg wagers with two or more selections, and all legs must win. There are also same-game parlays for individual contests. Can include moneylines, spreads, totals and alternate lines. |
| Round Robin Parlay | Takes one larger parlay and breaks it down into smaller parlays. Offers a way to profit even if all selections don’t win. |
| Live Betting | The act of placing bets after a game begins. Odds and lines will adjust to reflect what’s happening on the field of play. |
| Futures | Wagers of a long-term nature, such as on the winner of a league championship (Grey Cup) or individual award (NFL MVP). |
| Alternate Lines | Alternative options to pregame spreads and totals, with the prices (juice) shifting to reflect the buying or selling of points. |
| Teaser/Pleasers | Combination bets (similar to parlays) with at least two legs. Lines are adjusted a uniform amount for all selections and payout is based on amount of points and selections. |
Best sports betting apps in Canada
Expanded regulated sports betting in Canada is finally here, and many industry heavyweights are bringing their talents north of the border.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) has been around for over six decades and has carved out its place among sports fans. That also means anyone looking to bet on the NFL, NHL, NBA, curling, or any other sport that is beloved in Canada will have plenty of opportunities to do so.
Below, we’ll get a more in-depth look at some of the new betting options in Canada.
BetMGM Ontario
BetMGM brings a huge menu of sports to the table. All major sports are available, and there’s a wide range of more niche sports that you might not find elsewhere. When you add in a vast selection of props, a parlay builder, and an intuitive search bar, BetMGM clearly has a lot to offer.
- Strengths: a variety of betting menus, alternate lines, unique sports, SGPs
- App rating: Apple 4.8, Android 2.4
BetRivers Ontario
BetRivers is another sportsbook that wants to give bettors choices, and it can rival DraftKings and FanDuel in the volume of options available. That includes props and alternate lines for various sporting events.
- Strengths: many options, alternate lines, props, futures
- App rating: Apple 2.8, Android 3.0
Caesars Ontario
As one of the most famous brick-and-mortar casino companies in the world, Caesars already has quite a reputation. It has been going out of its way to expand its sports betting presence, with competitive odds, a world-class app, and a large betting menu for Ontarians to choose from. All users must be 21+ to play in Ontario.
- Strengths: favourable odds, easy-to-use app
- App rating: Apple 4.6, Android 4.5
DraftKings Ontario
DraftKings is a one-stop shop for bettors who want the total package. It’s an established industry leader with a slick betting platform and an enormous number of betting markets across a range of sports including the NHL, NBA, CFL, and NFL. If there’s one site to belong to, it has to be this one
- Strengths: betting menu, parlays, props
- App rating: Apple 4.8, Google 4.8
How to compare Ontario betting sites
As you scout out the legal sports betting landscape in Ontario, you’ll find that many sportsbooks do a lot of things right. For bettors, the best approach is to try out as many as you’re comfortable with to find the ones that suit you best. While doing so, add these questions to your checklist:
What is the best app for betting on the CFL and NFL?
Football season is the busiest time of the year for online sportsbooks. Due to their popularity, CFL and NFL betting lines are prominent offerings at all of the top books. Industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel do a bang-up job with football, but you can also find competitive odds and bets at Caesars, BetRivers, and PointsBet.
Are same-game parlays available at Ontario sportsbooks?
Ontario sports bettors are likely quite familiar with parlay betting. These days, online sportsbooks also heavily promote a variation — same-game parlays. These may also be referred to as single-game or one-game parlays.
Instead of choosing multiple outcomes from several games to make up a ticket, you can build a parlay with options from one game, such as a prop bet plus the spread and total. They began at FanDuel but are now everywhere including DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars. The most options for SGPs are probably at FanDuel and DraftKings.
Where can you find the best NHL odds in Ontario?
The best NHL odds in Ontario will probably vary from night to night, as all the sportsbooks will have lines for every game. That means you get to shop around and find the best number depending on which market you’re looking at. The most options are probably going to be at DraftKings and FanDuel.
Which sportsbooks have the best selection of player props?
Player props are a popular way to bet, so you won’t be lacking options at sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. They offer lots of choices and are easy apps to navigate. For alternate options, BetRivers and BetMGM also have great menus of player props.
Ontario sports betting | key facts & frequently asked questions
The introduction of legal sports betting apps in Ontario will likely bring big changes. Here are some of the key facts to keep in mind:
Is it legal to bet on sports in Ontario?
Canada lifted its prohibition on single-game sports betting in 2021. Ontario and all other provinces can set their own rules and regulations.
What is the legal age for betting online in Ontario?
There’s no national minimum age, so this also falls on the individual provinces. In Ontario, you must be 19 or older to legally bet on sports online.
Which legal online sportsbooks are available in Ontario?
The Ontario market is attracting many of the top names in online sports betting. FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and PointsBet are among the sites already accepting wagers.
What sports can you bet on online?
Virtually all sports that have at least a decent amount of interest will be available for wagering. The major sports like the CFL, NFL and NHL will likely be among the biggest draws, but you can also bet on things like soccer, golf, tennis, curling, and many others.
