Is it legal to bet on sports in Ontario?
It would be a shame to come this far only to discover that you couldn’t bet on sports in Ontario. Fortunately, that is not the case, and things have come a long way since the only option available was the provincial lottery-run ProLine+.
After the passing of Bill C-218 back in June 2021, Ontario wasted little time finalizing laws and legislation before the eventual launch of online sports betting in April 2022.
Now, online sportsbooks must register with the Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and receive official backing from iGaming Ontario before opening their virtual doors.
Currently, 32 online sportsbooks have secured clearance to operate under the new sports betting laws in Ontario, allowing those of you over the age of 19 the chance to place sports bets on all sorts of live and upcoming events.
Our favorite legal sportsbooks in Ontario
Is it just major league sports I can bet on at Ontario sports gambling sites?
Before April 2022, the only sports betting platform legally operating in Ontario was ProLine+. This lottery-run sportsbook allowed you to enjoy sports betting in some capacity; however, you could only place parlays on major sports like baseball and football.
ProLine+ remains a popular choice for many Ontario sports fans, and you can still bet on all major leagues today. However, since the introduction of other top online sportsbooks, it isn’t too uncommon to see betting opportunities for everything from major leagues and events to esports and college sports.
Of course, it isn’t just the range of sports that has increased since Ontario legalized sports betting. Back in the day, only parlays could be placed here. Now, you’ll see that all sorts of betting markets have opened up. You’ll find a quick overview of the most popular betting markets in this table.
Sports Betting Market |
Explanation |
Moneylines |
The Moneyline, or 1X2, is the main betting market associated with all fixtures and contests. This is a simple bet that requires you to select the winner of each fixture. Alternatively, you may find instances where you can bet on a tie. |
Spreads |
Spreads work in a similar way to the 1X2; however, you'll find that a mathematical advantage or disadvantage has been applied. For instance, you may find a spread on the Raptors to win + 14.5 points. In this instance, the Raptors could lose by 14 points, and your bet would still be considered a winner. |
Totals |
As the name suggests, the totals betting market considers the combined total of points, rounds, or goals scored. You'll find that you can bet on whether more or less than a certain total will be achieved by the final whistle |
Proposition Bets |
This category of betting markets features anything that doesn't directly relate to the eventual outcome. For instance, you could be on the team to be winning at the half, the next touchdown scorer, or whether an MLS soccer player will receive a yellow card. |
What can I expect from the best Ontario online sportsbooks in January?
With over 30 different sports betting sites now ready and waiting, establishing which betting sites in Ontario are best for you isn’t so straightforward. Fortunately, that is where we come in. You’ll notice that we’ve been busy critiquing the best sportsbooks in Ontario based on the following features.
Legitimate licenses and enhanced security features
As we’ve already established, you’ll need to make sure that you are selecting an online sportsbook in Ontario that has secured official backing from the AGCO and the iGO. However, if you’re making use of our latest reviews, you’ll find that we have already covered all of this for you. In fact, we won’t recommend any online sportsbooks that haven’t received a legitimate license.
On top of licensing and regulation, we will be sure to review the overall security offered by your chosen site. This will include a closer look at the encryption technology used, the verification process, clarity of terms, and the responsible gambling tools provided.
Fantastic usability and overall accessibility
Competitive odds and a range of betting opportunities can often get us sidetracked; however, they are of no use if we can’t make the most of them. With this in mind, we detail the full sports betting experience from start to finish, capturing exactly what it feels like to land on-site and join.
From here, we will then discuss the basic layout and design, offering our opinion on how easy it is to locate markets, make deposits, and build your bets. Of course, with mobile betting playing such a huge role in things now, it wouldn’t be right for us to avoid the mobile experience. So, rest assured, we cover the usability of any mobile app in all of its glory, too.
Busy betting lobbies and competitive odds
We know that Ontarians love a parlay—the continued popularity of ProLine+ evidences this. However, you’ll find that the best sportsbooks in Ontario now feature a range of different markets that will appeal to just about everyone. Fortunately, we will ensure that all the kinds of betting markets and sports are covered in our comparisons.
Generally, you will find all major leagues and sports are available, including CFL, NHL, NHL, and MLS. Esports are also proving increasingly popular, and you can even enjoy betting on College sports in Ontario. Once you’ve found a sportsbook with all of your preferences covered, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the most out of each bet by comparing the best odds.
Live streaming and additional betting features
We are here to have fun, aren’t we? So, why not find yourself an online sportsbook that allows you to watch all of the action unfold through a dedicated live stream?
In our comparisons, we won’t simply judge the live betting and streaming experience, though. We will soon be putting unique features to the test. So far, we have come across tools to help you edit your bets in play, cash out if things aren’t going to plan, and even sites and mobile apps that allow you to preset wagers of a specific value to ensure you can lock in the odds with one single click.
Responsive support and credible payment methods
Of course, you also need to fund the experience. At the best sportsbooks in Ontario, we have come across a number of sites that will allow you to deposit using Visa, Mastercard, Interac, PayPal, and a wider range of eligible methods. Deposit limits are something to consider, too. After all, you don’t want to feel pressured to bet beyond your usual limits.
When it comes to support, you really want to make sure that you can get your experience back on track within a few short minutes. At many of the best sports betting sites in Ontario, we have found that you can chat through email, phone, social media, and even through a live chat feature. Plus, the very best make sure that you can diagnose your own issues with a comprehensive help center packed with FAQs.
The best Ontario sportsbooks in January
How can I join the best sports betting sites in Ontario?
By now, you should have an idea of what to expect from the best sportsbooks in Ontario. However, before we let you take advantage of our latest comparisons, we want to ensure you are comfortable signing up. Although this may differ slightly at your selected sportsbook, this step-by-step supplies all the tools to help get you up and running.
- Make use of reviews on the best sports betting sites in Ontario
- Click on one of the links within our latest reviews to take you over to the site
- Locate the ‘Join’, ‘Register’, or ‘Sign up’ button
- Provide some basic details, including your name, email address, and date of birth
- Enter any of our exclusive promotional codes
- Read through the terms and conditions before opting to ‘create your account’
- Pass verification checks by entering an OTC (email or SMS) and providing copies of photo ID
- Wait for your account and supporting documents to be authorized
- Log in to your chosen sportsbook using your new credentials
- Make your deposit and check out the latest betting opportunities
Stick with us here at Dimers to find the best Ontario online sportsbook in January
Hopefully, this has given you a solid insight into the kind of experience you can expect when betting at one of the best sportsbooks in Ontario.
Now, all that remains is for you to make use of the banners on this page and begin searching for new sportsbooks to join. As touched upon, we cover all of the important attributes, including security, licensing, sports, markets, and even the competitiveness of the odds, all in the hopes of finding your perfect match.
Find the best online sportsbooks in Ontario
Best Betting Sites in Ontario FAQ