As of April 2022, online betting in Ontario has become completely regulated. Several sportsbooks have already launched in the province and more are set to follow. In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about sports betting in Ontario. We’ll show you the best sites where you can place your wagers, take you through the legality in the province and explain how the gambling tax. There’s also a step-by-step introduction to signing up with a sports bookie and information on how to fund your account. Let’s start with a look at the Ontario betting sites ready for you to enjoy.
Best Ontario Sports Betting Sites
When it comes to accessing sports betting sites, there are several different criteria that we consider. When ranking Ontario sportsbook websites, we looked at the odds, range of sports and markets, live offering, features and security. These are all critical factors and we can weigh the various strengths of the bookies in question. Here are our recommended sites.
- 1. Bet365
- 2. True North Bet
- 3. Bet99
- 4. Unibet
- 5. 888Sport
- Betting App Available
- Cash-Out Feature
- Freebets & Sports Promos
- Betting App Available
- Cash-Out Feature
- Freebets & Sports Promos
- Welcome Sports Bonus
- Live Streaming Feature
- Great Odds Available
- Welcome Sports Bonus
- Live Streaming Feature
- Great Odds Available
- Numerous Betting Markets
- Many Sports Promotions
- Great Customer Support
- Numerous Betting Markets
- Many Sports Promotions
- Great Customer Support
- Live Streaming Available
- Great Betting Variety
- Built-a-Bet Available
- Live Streaming Available
- Great Betting Variety
- Built-a-Bet Available
- Dedicated Sports Bonuses
- Wide Sports Range
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Dedicated Sports Bonuses
- Wide Sports Range
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Great Live Betting Platform
- Many Sport Options
- Great Variety of Payment Options
- Great Live Betting Platform
- Many Sport Options
- Great Variety of Payment Options
- Great Sports Promos
- Interac Deposits
- Canadian Focused Site
- Great Sports Promos
- Interac Deposits
- Canadian Focused Site
- Focused on Canadian Bettors
- Many Payment Options
- Sports Welcome Offer
- Focused on Canadian Bettors
- Many Payment Options
- Sports Welcome Offer
Is sports betting legal in Ontario?
Sports betting became fully legalized in Ontario in April 2022. This followed a successful bill raised in Parliament in 2021 called C-218. The bill altered the national criminal code to enable provinces to legalize single-game sports betting in Canada. With the loosening of gambling laws in the United States and the fact that Canadian teams compete in American sports leagues, there has been growing pressure on the government to change the rules around betting.
Before the law changed in Ontario, sports betting existed in certain forms. OLG ProLine was a legal betting option in Ontario, with players able to wager on parlays consisting of two or more selections. The difficulty of winning a parlay bet saw many Canadians instead turn to unlicensed offshore sportsbooks. Such bookies existed in a grey manner in which they were not legal but were not strictly illegal either. An estimated C$4 billion each year was spent on such operations by Canadian players.
Add that to the estimated C$10 billion that was being spent on gambling on illegal domestic operations and it made little sense for the situation to continue. Canadians were finding ways to bet on sports anyway, so creating a legal framework of doing so that would add to the economy and raise tax dollars was the sensible solution.
Ontario, in particular, was considered an area within Canada that could raise a lot of money if betting was legalized. Not only is it the most populated residence with nearly 15 million people, but it is also home to some of Canada’s most prominent sports teams. When it was finally made legal on April 4, 2022, some eleven Ontario sports betting sites launched on day one. More have already followed in a province that has the potential to be a thriving hub for sports betting.
Which bookies operate in Ontario
As you’ll have seen, there are now many bookies legally operating within Ontario. In this section, we’re going to introduce you to a few of our favorites. Here are five Ontario sportsbook companies that you can safely sign up with.
Bet365
Founded in 2000 In the UK, Bet365 has grown into one of the biggest bookmaker brands in the world. Now their quality all-around betting experience is legally available in Ontario. There are 30+ sports covered in the sportsbook, alongside a deep range of events and markets. Prices are ultra-competitive, both pre-match and live, with a high percentage of markets turned live. With a great array of bonuses available, Bet365 is a wise choice if opening an Ontario betting account.
True North Bet
True North Bet is First Nations-owned and operated. Part of the profits go to help First Nations communities and with this ethos in mind, it’s no surprise that this Ontario sportsbook has been created purely for the Canadian market. When you go to the home page, it’s competitions such as the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA that are pushed to the front of the pre-match and live sections. More regional competitions, specifically Canadian interests, are also covered in depth.
Bet99
Bet99 was established in 2019 and is owned by BQC Consulting, based in Switzerland. Though Swiss-owned, Bet99 is aimed firmly at the Canadian market. They’ve already established a reputation for offering strong odds across more than 30 different sports. It’s particularly strong in North American sports like hockey, football, basketball and baseball, while with Georges St. Pierre as the brand’s figurehead, UFC is also prominent. With a generous welcome bonus available, this is one of the top Ontario sports betting sites.
Unibet
Unibet was created by its founder Anders Strom in 1997, from his flat in London. Initially targeting the market of Strom’s native Scandinavia, Unibet has grown into a global powerhouse, becoming the jewel in the Kindred Group’s collection of sportsbooks and casinos. With its origins in Scandinavia and subsequent expansion into Europe and North America, Unibet is a good all-rounder in sports coverage. The site is very slick, with great apps and live streaming.
888Sport
Another mammoth betting brand that is now operating in Ontario is 888Sport. Founded in 2008, this company is part of the 888 Holdings group, which are true giants of the industry. That financial power translates into multiple promotions, comprehensive sports coverage, quality odds and various features. 888Sport has one of the best betting apps around, allowing you to enjoy sports betting in Ontario while out and about. With boosted 888 Specials and Made For You picks, you’ll never be short of choice here.
Signing Up for an Ontario Sportsbook
If you’ve never signed up with a bookie before, you might be wondering exactly how you go about opening an Ontario betting account. It’s relatively simple and we’ll take you through it step-by-step. You’ll find it’s a generic process that is roughly similar, regardless of what bookie you choose.
➤ Step 1: Choose a Site
Find the bookie that you want to open an account with from our range of Ontario sports betting sites. There will be a button marked ‘Join Now’, ‘Register’, or something similar, which you should click.
➤ Step 2: Register Your Account
You should now be on the registration page. Add your details, which will include name, age, address, phone and email. You’ll also have to select a login/password and perhaps give verification details.
➤ Step 3: Add Money and Bet
With the account set up, go to the banking section, select a payment method and add some funds. With money in your account, you can now place a bet.
Funding my Ontario betting account
Adding money to your betting account is very easy. It’s in the interests of Ontario sportsbook sites to make it a quick and easy process. Just go to the banking section of the bookie and choose a deposit method, which is likely to include Credit and Debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard and Discover, Prepaid cards and E-Wallets such as PayPal and Skrill. Such deposit methods should provide instant payment to your account. You can also use local options, namely Interac and iDebit. Withdrawal options aren’t as plentiful, but there are still plenty of ways to choose from.
How does the gambling tax work in Ontario
One thing that you might be worried about as you consider sports betting in Ontario is whether you will have to pay tax on your winnings. After all, if you win money gambling, that is extra money in your pocket. Shouldn’t it be taxed? The simple answer is no. Sports bettors will not be taxed on their winnings. If this seems a generous move from the Canadian government, there is a method to their madness.
They tax the profits of betting operators rather than the players. Without having to worry about the complexity of paying taxes on their winnings, Ontario players should feel freer to sign up with bookies and spend more money. This should help create a thriving betting industry in Ontario and throughout Canada, raising plenty of tax dollars for the government.
There only exceptions for players are having to declare any interest made on any monies made from betting at sportsbooks and casinos or if you’re a professional gambler. For the majority of sports bettors in Ontario, tax is not an issue that they will need to concern themselves with.