Home to 39% of Canadians, 5 major North American sports teams and 3 CFL franchises, Ontario is definitely a hotbed for sports betting in Canada.
Ontario is the first province to establish a regulated online gaming market where private companies can apply for a license to operate their sportsbook in the Ontario market. iGaming Ontario was formed in July of 2021 to build the regulatory framework for the Ontario gaming market, and the first licensed sportsbook operators launched in the province in April of 2022. There are now dozens of online sportsbooks licensed to operate in the regulated Ontario betting market.
In addition to the regulated sportsbooks operated by private companies, Ontario still offers government owned sports betting options run by the OLG including Proline and Pools. These are good options for people trying out sports betting for the first time, but those of you who want a more player friendly experience with better odds and less restrictions should look to open an account with one of the regulated betting sites operating in the province.
Being from Ottawa I made the transition from betting on Proline at my local convenience store to placing my bets online when I was a teenager (~20 years ago) and I have not looked back since.
Best Sports Betting Sites for Ontario Residents
The introduction of the regulated gaming market to Ontario has resulted in an influx of quality online sportsbook options for Ontario residents.
The three sportsbooks we recommend below are all licensed to operate in the regulated Ontario betting market by iGaming Ontario.
I have accounts with all three of the above sites that I use frequently. I always suggest that Ontario residents take advantage of the huge selection of regulated sportsbooks by joining multiple sites to find the best odds on each potential bet and scoop up any other perks that are available at individual sportsbooks.
How to Start Betting in Ontario
Getting set up with a licensed Ontario sportsbook only takes a few minutes:
Register your account. Click ‘Register’ or ‘Join’ on the landing page and complete the sign up form. You’ll be asked to verify your identity, which is standard at every regulated sportsbook.
Make a deposit. Interac e-Transfer is the fastest option for Ontario bettors, with deposits processing instantly. Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, paysafecard, and more are also accepted. Check out our deposit methods page for a full breakdown.
Place your bets. Pick your sport, add your selections to your bet slip, enter your stake and confirm.
Offline Sports Betting in Ontario
The traditional sports lottery options are still available in Ontario through the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation). The blanket term for the sports betting options offered by the OLG is Proline, with the brand being well recognized by Ontario residents.
The Proline lottery games, as they are called by the OLG, include Proline and Pools. These games can be found at any OLG outlet (corner stores and gas stations), and you must be 19 or older to bet on sports in Ontario.
Proline
Proline is by far the most popular offline betting option offered by the OLG. Players create a bet slip with similar betting options to an online sportsbook, including single game wagers, and purchase the betting ticket at an OLG outlet. If the ticket is a winner you can then bring it back into an OLG outlet to collect your prize.
I have to chime in that Proline is only good for beginners who aren’t yet ready for an online betting account. The odds are worse than at the private sportsbooks we recommend, and you will miss out on the bonuses, promotions and much wider range of betting options that the online sportsbooks offer.
Pools
Pools is the easiest way to bet on sports because there are no odds or spreads associated with each game. Instead you simply choose who you think will win each of the games on the card. If you get the most correct selections out of everyone in Ontario who entered the Pool you win the prize pool. The prize amount varies depending on the number of entries each Pools card receives, with 60% of each Pool entry fee being added to the prize pool.
Being an Ontario resident who has made the transition from betting through the OLG to betting online I know that the grass is much greener betting online. If you bet more than a few times a year I strongly encourage you to make the jump!
Retail Sportsbooks
Caesars Sportsbook at Caesars Windsor became the first full-service retail sportsbook in Ontario when it launched in January of 2023. Full-service means there are betting counters similar to what you would find at a Las Vegas casino.
Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls also offers sports betting in its OVERTIME Sports Lounge, with 21 betting kiosks and bet windows staffed by Sportsbook Ambassadors.
Great Canadian Sportsbook kiosks are available at 10 Great Canadian Entertainment casinos in Ontario: Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Pickering Casino Resort, Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel, Elements Casino Flamboro, Elements Casino Mohawk, Elements Casino Brantford, Elements Casino Grand River, and Shorelines Casino Peterborough, Belleville and Thousand Islands. No account is required to bet at the kiosks.
You must be 19 or older to bet at a casino sportsbook in Ontario.
Major Sports Teams in Ontario
I’ve included a list of some of the major sports teams located in Ontario. Click on the city name for more specific information about sports betting in that city.
Detroit Pistons – NBA (National Basketball Association)
Detroit Red Wings – NHL (National Hockey League)
Detroit Tigers – MLB (Major League Baseball)
Horse Racing in Ontario
Racetracks
Ajax Downs in Ajax. Quarter horse race track.
Clinton Raceway in Clinton. Harness racing horse track.
Dresden Raceway in Dresden. Harness racing horse track.
Flamboro Downs in Dundas (Hamilton). 1/2 mile harness racing horse track.
Fort Erie Race Track in Fort Erie. Thoroughbred racing horse track.
Georgian Downs in Innisfil. Harness racing horse track.
Grand River Raceway in Elora. 5/8 mile harness racing horse track.
Hanover Raceway in Hanover. Harness racing horse track.
Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia. Harness racing horse track.
Kawartha Downs in Fraserville. 5/8 mile harness racing horse track.
Leamington Raceway in Leamington. Harness racing horse track.
The Raceway at Western Fair District in London. Harness racing horse track.
Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville. 7/8 mile harness racing horse track.
Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Thoroughbred racing horse track.
Major Races
The King’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack. The first race in the Canadian Triple Crown.
Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Race Track. The second race in the Canadian Triple Crown.
Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. The third race in the Canadian Triple Crown.
Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack.
Woodbine partners with Bet365, which lets Ontario residents bet on races from Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park online through a Bet365.ca account.
Ontario Sports Betting FAQ
What is the legal betting age in Ontario?
You must be at least 19 years old to bet on sports in Ontario.
Can I bet with an Ontario sportsbook if I’m outside the province?
No. Sportsbooks licensed in Ontario only accept bets from players physically located in Ontario. If you travel to another province, you’ll need to use a sportsbook that operates there.
What’s the best way to deposit at Ontario sportsbooks?
Interac e-Transfer is the most popular option because deposits are instant and most Canadian banks support it. Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and paysafecard are also widely accepted.
Are sports betting winnings taxed in Ontario?
For recreational bettors, gambling winnings are generally not taxed in Canada because they are treated as windfalls. Professional gamblers can be treated differently, so check with a tax professional if betting is a significant source of your income.
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