Sports gambling in Ontario is now fully legal and licensed. Compare the province's best sportsbooks to find the one that is right for you and claim your welcome bonus.
Get up to a $500 Refund (in Free Bets) if your 1st Fixed Odds Bet loses and up to a $1,500 Refund (in Free Bets) if your first PointsBetting Wager loses!. New Customers Only! Use Code - WELCOME - to take advantage!
New Customer Offer Get up to a $500 Refund (in Free Bets) if your 1st Fixed Odds Bet loses and up to a $1,500 Refund (in Free Bets) if your first PointsBetting Wager loses!. New Customers Only! Use Code - WELCOME - to take advantage! 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
The “Bonus” is valued at 100% of the Qualifying Deposit amount, up to a maximum Bonus amount of $1,000. The Bonus will unlock into cash at a rate of 5% (“Cashback Rate”) of the wagered amount on cash bets at greater than -300 odds. Participants will have 60 days from the date they receive the Bonus (“Cashback Period”) to unlock the Bonus balance into cash by placing cash bets
New Customer Offer The “Bonus” is valued at 100% of the Qualifying Deposit amount, up to a maximum Bonus amount of $1,000. The Bonus will unlock into cash at a rate of 5% (“Cashback Rate”) of the wagered amount on cash bets at greater than -300 odds. Participants will have 60 days from the date they receive the Bonus (“Cashback Period”) to unlock the Bonus balance into cash by placing cash bets 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
A customer's first deposit (min. $5) qualifies the user to receive up to $1,000 in bonus funds in the form of site credits that can only be used on DraftKings. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of that deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000 (the customer must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000). Bonus funds will be awarded to the user according to the following play-through requirement: for every $25 played on DraftKings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their customer account
New Customer Offer A customer's first deposit (min. $5) qualifies the user to receive up to $1,000 in bonus funds in the form of site credits that can only be used on DraftKings. Bonus amount is equal to 20% of that deposit amount, not to exceed $1,000 (the customer must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000). Bonus funds will be awarded to the user according to the following play-through requirement: for every $25 played on DraftKings in DFS/Sportsbook/Casino, the user will receive $1 in bonus funds released into their customer account 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook. Make your first deposit (minimum $10). Place your first bet in the Super Bowl Enhanced Odds market on the homepage. Winnings paid in CASH!
New Customer Offer Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook. Make your first deposit (minimum $10). Place your first bet in the Super Bowl Enhanced Odds market on the homepage. Winnings paid in CASH! 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
As Canada continues to open up its gambling industry, we’ve been taking a look at the best sports betting sites in Ontario. With our user-focused guides, you can review bookmakers, compare promotions, and find the ideal sportsbook for you.
There is also no need to be concerned about the legality of sports betting in Ontario. All of the sites that we feature are fully regulated and hold licences to offer betting services to Ontario citizens. It’s imperative that you only ever place a bet at licensed sites, which is why you’ll only find reputable sportsbooks on Compare.bet.
So whether you’re looking to wager on one of Ontario’s major franchises, or you’re searching for something further afield, read on for a comprehensive guide on Ontario sports betting.
Canada Gambling Law
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Canada?
In a word: yes, but Canadians have been subjected to unusual online betting laws for many years. Previous legislation dictated that only wagers made at betting sites run by the state are legal, but this has now changed.
From April 4 2022, the state of Ontario is allowing private sports betting operators to offer their services to Ontarian residents. The move is the final link in a process of campaigning that included the passing of Bill C-218 and the legalization of single-game betting in 2021.
Canadians have been legally allowed to place wagers at state-run sites, local bookmakers, and offshore betting sites for decades, but they’re now also able to do so from privately-owned sportsbooks.
Where Can I Bet on Sports in Ontario?
Following the recent law changes in Ontario, many sportsbooks are being granted licences to operate. So far, this includes some of the best sports betting sites in the world, such as PointsBet, theScore Bet, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, Unibet and bet365.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is nonetheless a good selection of some notable operators. We’ll continue to bring you comprehensive guides on our top sportsbook recommendations.
Which Sports Can I bet on in Ontario?
Although Canada’s state-run sportsbooks, such as Ontario’s Proline+, have done a great job at filling the niche and introducing Canadians to sports betting, these sites simply aren’t able to compete with the industry’s best operators.
Ontarians will now be able to enjoy a far more varied range of sports, bonuses, and markets at the best sportsbooks in Ontario. On the FanDuel site, for example, there are 20 different sports, each with its own extensive set of markets.
These markets span across all of North America’s most popular sports – football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey – as well as soccer, horse racing, and traditionally British sports like cricket, darts, snooker, and both rugby formats. FanDuel offers markets on both professional franchise leagues and all the major collegiate sporting events. Players can, therefore, expect a similar range at the best Ontario sports betting sites.
Local Teams
Get to Know Ontario's Sports Teams
If you’re not only new to sports betting, but new to sports too, then you’ll be pleased to hear that Ontario is a rich ecosystem of professional sports teams competing in the MLB (Toronto Blue Jays), NBA (Toronto Raptors), MLS (Toronto FC), and NHL (Toronto Maple Leafs).
These are the premier franchises based in Ontario, but the depth of markets available at first-class sportsbooks allows punters to bet on teams further down the rankings. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts and Ottawa Redbacks all compete in the East Division of the Canadian Football League; and the Toronto Marlies, Raptors 905 and Forge FC are three other professional franchises playing ice hockey, basketball, and soccer respectively.
Top 5 Ontario Sportsbooks and Their Welcome Bonuses
Fancy placing your first wager at an Ontario sports betting site? Take a look at our five favourite sportsbooks below and compare welcome bonuses to claim the one that is right for you.
The following reviews are based on information from current US offering.
PointsBet claims to have more markets on the NBA and NFL than any other sportsbook. PointsBet is also known for introducing the betting world to its unique PointsBetting wager, where punters receive bigger payouts for comfortable wins, and subsequently, lose more the bigger their margin of defeat. The welcome offer targets the PointsBetting option, offering players a risk-free bet worth up to $1500 when they opt for this market. There’s also a second risk-free bet available to new customers – worth $500 – if they lose their first fixed odds wager.
FanDuel is known for being the foremost marketplace for fantasy sports in North America, where fans select their own league-wide teams for gamedays. It’s owned by Flutter Entertainment – an Irish gambling company with origins in horse racing that owns the popular gambling sites Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, and PokerStars. If that pedigree isn’t impressive enough, FanDuel integrates its sportsbook into its fantasy sports offering. New members can enjoy a risk-free bet worth up to $1000 when they wager their first $10.
theScore has been providing leading sports commentary for decades and decided to branch out into the world of sportsbooks in 2018 as North America’s betting markets started to open. theScore Bet’s unrivalled coverage of sports across the continent gives members an excellent resource to help them make the most informed wagers possible. Its welcome offer consists of two parts: a 100% up to $1000 matched deposit, plus a risk-free bet worth $500.
One of the best things about BetMGM is its loyalty points reward scheme, where punters can earn betting bonuses and win various trips and prizes. There are five tiers to the M Life Rewards Program: sapphire, pearl, gold, platinum and noir – and as you advance through the ranks, the rewards get sweeter. You can also kick things off with a risk-free bet worth up to $1000.
DraftKings is another site known for its fantasy sports, running competitions in the MLB, NHL, NBA, NFL and PBL. There are also on-site fantasy events for the English Premier League, Champions League, NASCAR, MMA and various tennis tournaments. On the sportsbook side of things, new members can sign up and claim a cash bonus worth up to $500. Players will also be invited to make a free entry into the fantasy sports event of their choice once they’ve made their first deposit.
Bonuses
Ontario Online Sportsbook Bonuses
When you first sign up to an Ontario sports betting site, you’ll be offered the chance to opt-in to a one-time welcome bonus. From then on, the best Ontario sportsbooks will offer their members a consistent string of bonuses and promotions.
Welcome incentives are used to attract as many bettors to sign up to the site as possible, so you’ll find that these offers are often larger than existing player promotions. Each betting site will approach its bonuses differently: some will be triggered by entering a bonus code, while others may be automatically added to your account once you’ve signed up or made your first deposit.
Before you claim any betting site bonus, you must first read the terms and conditions to understand what’s expected of you in order to win real money. The small print may exclude certain betting markets and payment methods, set time limits, impose winning caps, and subject players to wagering requirements. All of these factors will impact how you use a bonus, so you’ll need to think about how to negotiate them.
Below we’ve outlined some of the most common bonus types you can expect to see at the best sports betting sites in Ontario.
Deposit Match
A deposit match is an offer from the sportsbook that meets your first deposit at a certain percentage and up to a set limit. If your sportsbook offered 100% up to $500, for example, then any deposit you make up to that threshold will be equalled in full, giving you extra bonus funds to play with.
New Customer Offer The “Bonus” is valued at 100% of the Qualifying Deposit amount, up to a maximum Bonus amount of $1,000. The Bonus will unlock into cash at a rate of 5% (“Cashback Rate”) of the wagered amount on cash bets at greater than -300 odds. Participants will have 60 days from the date they receive the Bonus (“Cashback Period”) to unlock the Bonus balance into cash by placing cash bets 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Risk-Free Bet
Risk-free bets are a popular welcome bonus option for many Ontario sportsbooks and are an insurance policy on your first wager at the site. For example, if you were offered a risk-free bet up to $1000, you could place up to $1000 on Auston Matthews to hit another 40+ goal season for the Leafs. If he falls just short, you’ll receive all your money back, often in the form of free bets. These funds will often be subject to their own terms and conditions so make sure you read them before claiming a risk-free bet.
New Customer Offer Get up to a $500 Refund (in Free Bets) if your 1st Fixed Odds Bet loses and up to a $1,500 Refund (in Free Bets) if your first PointsBetting Wager loses!. New Customers Only! Use Code - WELCOME - to take advantage! 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
No Deposit Bonus
No deposit bonuses immediately reward players once they’ve signed up, without the need to make any kind of qualifying deposit. Players will receive a boost to their bankroll without any financial commitment themselves. These deals are great for checking out what a new site has to offer without staking your own cash, but the amount will be far smaller than any deposit match.
Other Gambling Options
What Else Can I Bet on in Ontario?
Sports betting isn’t your only gambling option in Ontario. Many of these sites also double up as online casinos, and legislative changes that came into effect on April 4 also apply to the operation of these casinos. So as well as placing wagers on the latest sporting fixtures, Ontarians will also be able to enjoy their favourite casino games online.
Ontario also has 29 land-based casinos within its borders. In addition to this, the province’s own sportsbook, Proline+, is now available at thousands of retail locations across the state, alongside other land-based sports betting options. And of course, Ontarians also have access to nine different lottery draws.
Previous legislation around offshore gambling inadvertently developed what became known as Canada’s gambling ‘grey zone’. The grey zone referred to the practice of Canadians gambling at offshore sites regulated in foreign gambling jurisdictions.
Since Canadian gambling laws only outlawed the establishment of private operators within Canada’s borders – and not the act of placing bets at offshore sites – Canadians have been legally allowed to access these sites for many years. Although private operators are now legally allowed to base themselves in Ontario, bettors may still prefer to use offshore sites and are well within their rights to continue doing so.
Clearing the uncertainty around the grey zone is the result of arguments to open up the iGaming industry and allow Ontario and other Canadian provinces to enjoy increased revenue opportunities. It’s estimated that Canadians have been gambling $10 billion a year through illegal sports betting syndicates, and $4 billion through offshore sites. This compares to just $500 million through province-run sites.
Ontario Licensing
Who Regulates Gambling in Ontario?
Gambling activities in Ontario are primarily regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Previously known as the OLC, it was founded initially in 1975 under the Ontario Lottery Corporation Act, and hosted its first lottery draw, the Wintario, that same year. The OLC then merged with the Ontario Casino Corporation (OCC), established in 1994, and became known as the OLG.
The OLG is responsible for the regulation of Ontario’s lotteries, land-based casinos, bingo operations, and sports betting markets. Together with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) – which oversees the regulation of the province’s horse racing and online casino activities – it controls Ontario’s gambling sector.
Gambling Law Timeline
The Journey to Legal and Regulated Sports Betting in Ontario
The state of Ontario’s online sports betting today is the product of a long and interesting history. We’ve outlined the key moments over the last 130 years below.
1892 – All forms of gambling banned with the exception of horse racing events
1969 – Canadian Criminal Code amended to allow provincial governments to run their own lotteries for good and charitable causes, including the Montreal Olympics in 1976
1975 – Founding of the OLC under the Ontario Lottery Corporation Act
1985 – Amendment to the Criminal Code allowed for lottery tickets to begin offering parlay betting markets on basketball and football games
1992 – Founding of Sport Select – a group of sports betting games run by Canada’s lottery corporations. In Ontario, the program is known as Proline and sells tickets through the OLG
1994 – Founding of the OCC
1996 – The launch of Canada’s first state-run online casinos
1998 – Founding of the AGCO
1999 – Ontario Lottery Corporation Act repealed and replaced with the current Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act
2000 – Merging of the OLC and OCC to form the OLG
2012 – Bill C-290, a proposal to legalize single-event sports betting is passed in the House of Commons, but fails to win approval from the Senate and dies in 2015
2020 – A new amendment, Bill C-13, proposes to decriminalize single-event sports betting and is passed by the Senate. Ontario reveals plans to launch a regulated online marketplace for both sports betting and casino gambling
2022 – The launch of Canada’s privately-run sports betting market
