Ontario Sports Betting Guide for July 2024

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With over 30 sportsbooks having launched in Ontario since sports betting became legal in the province, we highlight the best sportsbooks and stand out betting sites to use. 

Ontario has more sportsbooks available to the public than any other province in Canada. In fact, many sportsbooks that have launched in Canada are only available to use in Ontario, due to gambling regulations in the country.

On this page, we lay out everything you need to know about sports betting in Ontario, including a list of the best sports betting sites in the province. We take a look at how new players can get started with sports betting by setting up an account, the law surrounding sports betting in the country, the tax rate for gambling winnings and the sports that can be bet on. Before you begin your sports betting journey, this is an absolutely crucial page to read in order to get the most out of your gambling experience in Ontario.

Best Sportsbook for Odds – TonyBet

TonyBet offers 34 sports categories to bet on. Each sport comes with highly competitive odds and usually the sporting events at TonyBet are found to have the best odds in Ontario. These odds are laid out clearly under each event in the form of American odds, that feature a minus or plus to indicate which team or person is the favorite and underdog.

There are several niche sports on offer at TonyBet, that aren’t available at other sportsbooks, such as alpine skiing, gaelic football and squash to name a few. If you can’t find your dream wager at TonyBet, you won’t be able to find it anywhere. This sportsbook is not only the best platform for odds in Ontario, but they are a great all in one option for both newbies and experienced bettors.

Best Sportsbook for User Experience – Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook is the best sportsbook in Ontario for the overall user experience. Both new customers and existing players can enjoy the marvellous platform that Caesars has created. They’ve got a knack for knowing exactly what users want. All players can rack up points with every bet and turn those points into great perks such as hotel stays or dinner at one of Caesars’ properties. These long-term benefits across other parts of their business, makes it appealing for Ontarians to keep coming back to Caesars Sportsbook.

Caesars stands out for more than just their user experience though. They are the only sports betting site in Ontario that requires all players to be 21, instead of the minimum legal age for gambling in Canada of 19. This is a brilliant responsible gambling measure taken by Caesars to ensure that all new customers aren’t young when they decide to sign up and gamble on their platform.

Best Mobile Sportsbook – Casumo 

Casumo Sportsbook in Ontario has quickly established itself as a top-tier mobile sports betting platform, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience that sets it apart from the competition. The platform has a good selection of sports and betting markets, including popular leagues such as the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Casumo also excels in providing live betting options, allowing users to place bets in real-time.

The mobile app is highly responsive, offering smooth performance and quick access to betting markets and account features. Coupled with exceptional customer support and a range of deposit and withdrawal options, Casumo provides a comprehensive and enjoyable betting environment that caters to the needs of Ontario’s sports bettors.

Best Sportsbook for New Bettors – Bet99

Bet99 is the best sportsbook for new bettors in Ontario. The platform features detailed tutorials and guides that help new bettors understand different types of wagers, making it an excellent starting point for those new to sports betting. Bet99 also excels in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for new bettors through its generous promotional offers.

New users are greeted with attractive welcome bonuses, which provide an excellent boost to their initial bankroll. With its blend of accessibility and educational resources, Bet99 stands out as the best sportsbook for new bettors in Ontario.

How We Choose Which Sportsbooks are the Best

When it comes to how we research, rank and review the different sportsbooks in Ontario, there are several key factors that we take into consideration. Some of these areas include and are not limited to the odds of a sportsbook, the interface of their website and mobile app, the promotions they have on offer for new users and existing players, the payment methods they provide, how quick the withdrawal process is, how effective the customer support team is, if they provide live streaming and betting, how secure their platform is and the overall reputation of the brand.

Odds

The odds that are featured at an online sportsbook are the backbone of the entire operation. After all, every bettor wants to get the best odds possible. Sportsbooks that are widely known for having highly competitive odds and often feature a range of special bets on plenty of sporting events, are rated higher in the eyes of both ourselves and the public.

Interface

The design of a sports betting platform is crucial in order to attract new users and retain current customers. No one wants to get a headache when they are betting and having a well designed website and mobile app that soothes the eye allows for all users to have a better experience. Sportsbooks that embrace sleek designs with high definition graphics are classed as being some of the best sportsbooks, interface wise.

Payment Methods 

The more types of payment methods that a sportsbook accepts, the higher we rank them. Sportsbooks that offer a wide variety of payment methods such as: Visa, Mastercard, Trustly, Interac, PayPal, Apple Pay and Neteller give customers much more flexibility with how they can fund their account.

Withdrawal Time

Some sportsbooks can process funds and send customers their money in under a day. Some can take several days and in certain cases, up to a week. Everybody values getting their money in a prompt manner and therefore sportsbooks that have created a seamless withdrawal process that is fast are rated much higher than those that can’t give this to customers.

Customer Support

At one point or another, all bettors will need to contact customer support. They are there to help users with issues ranging from small scale problems such as a glitch on a page, all the way to large scale problems such as KYC issues and withdrawals not showing up. The more efficient the customer support team is, the quicker they can fix the problems of their customers.

Reputation

Sportsbooks that have a global outreach and have been around for decades, are rated much higher than brand new sportsbooks. This is because in the sports betting industry, building up trust and maintaining it for multiple years is great for giving customers peace of mind. Whilst all legal and licensed sportsbooks in Ontario are safe, using an esteemed brand gives you that little bit extra peace of mind.

Live Betting

In 2024, all of the best sportsbooks have a mixture of live betting and live streaming on offer. These two aspects greatly enhance the betting experience as it allows customers to bet on real time action and follow along as the game progresses. Sportsbooks that do this right and have a good video playback system for live streaming and a well designed interface that is easy to use for live betting, are some of the best platforms to use in Ontario.

Ontario Sports Betting Law

Sports betting is legal in Ontario. Canada’s most populous province launched their fully fledged online sports betting market in April 2022 when 13 sportsbooks opened their online betting platforms up to the public. Since then, the number of sportsbooks in Ontario has more than doubled and there are now more than 30 high quality sportsbooks to choose from.

Each and every one of these online sportsbooks has been vetted and given the go ahead by iGaming Ontario and have received a registration by the AGCO. To complete these steps, these organizations will have met rigorous standards of game integrity, fairness, player protections and social responsibility. Their sites must have controls preventing underage access and measures to enable more responsible gambling. They have entered legal agreements ensuring compliance with applicable laws, including anti-money laundering. These measures have made licensed sportsbooks in Ontario some of the safest in the world.

Ontario Sports Betting Tax

For the most part, winnings made on sports betting in Ontario are tax free. The only exceptions are for professional gamblers and winnings that will earn interest. The Income Tax Act of Canada states that this is the case for all types of gambling, not just sports betting. Therefore if you win money from an online casino, horse racing, poker, daily fantasy sports and sports betting you will not need to pay any tax as long as you don’t fall under the exceptions listed above. This law stretches across all of Canada, not just Ontario.

If you are a professional gambler, you must declare all gambling winnings as part of your taxable income. This goes for both provincial and federal tax assessments. Losses are deductible from the total taxable amount. 

If you invest the money you make from gambling winnings and then earn interest or more money from this investment, you will need to declare this on your T3 & T5 slips, along with a T5013 form. These earnings must be shown as part of your investment income. The rate of taxation will fall between 15% and 33%, based on your income.

Meanwhile, all online sportsbooks are taxed at 20% on the sports betting revenue they receive. Each sportsbook must pay a $100,000 licensing fee to iGaming Ontario (iGO) in order to get set up in the province.

How to Bet on Sports

It’s a very simple process to get set up and running with a sportsbook account in Ontario. Follow these steps in order to start betting on your favorite sports in the easiest way possible.

Choose a Sportsbook

To start betting on sports, the first step is to choose a reputable and licensed sportsbook. In Ontario, popular options include Casumo and Bet99, both known for their user-friendly interfaces, competitive odds, and excellent customer support. Research and compare different sportsbooks to find one that suits your preferences and offers the sports and betting markets you’re interested in.

Sign Up

Once you’ve chosen your sportsbook, the next step is to sign up for an account. Visit the sportsbook’s website or download their mobile app. Click on the “Sign Up” or “Register” button and fill in the required information, such as your name, email address, date of birth, and address. You will also need to create a username and password. Some sportsbooks may require you to verify your identity by uploading a copy of your ID or utility bill.

Deposit Funds

After successfully creating your account, you need to deposit funds to start betting. Go to the “Deposit” or “Banking” section of the site or app. Choose your preferred payment method, which could include credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, or bank transfers. Enter the amount you wish to deposit and follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Ensure that the sportsbook uses secure payment processing to protect your financial information.

Wager on Sports

With funds in your account, you can start placing bets. Navigate to the sports section of the site or app and choose the sport you want to bet on. Explore the available betting markets, such as moneyline, point spread, over/under, and prop bets. Click on the odds for your chosen bet to add it to your bet slip. Enter the amount you wish to wager and confirm your bet. Many sportsbooks also offer live betting, allowing you to place bets on events as they happen.

Sports to Bet on in Ontario

There are tons of different sports to bet on in Ontario. Bettors in the province can wager on local events as well as international events that are happening in the furthest reaches of the world. We have put together a list of the most popular sports and sports leagues that are bet on in Ontario.

CFL

The Canadian Football League is a professional football league in Canada. It consists of nine teams divided into two divisions: the East Division and the West Division. The league’s regular season runs from June to November, culminating in the Grey Cup championship in late November, which is one of Canada’s most popular sporting events.

Sports bettors in Ontario can place wagers on CFL games in various ways:

• Moneyline Bets: Bettors choose which team they think will win the game outright.
• Point Spread Bets: Bettors wager on the margin of victory or defeat. For example, if a team is favored by -6.5 points, they must win by at least 7 points for the bet to win.
• Over/Under Bets: Bettors predict whether the total points scored in a game will be over or under a set number.

NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league comprising teams from Canada and the United States. The league is one of the major professional sports leagues in North America, and it features 32 teams (as of the 2021-2022 season). The NHL season runs from October to April, followed by the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Ontario sports bettors have several options for betting on NHL games such as:

• Moneyline Bets: Bettors choose which team will win the game.
• Puck Line Bets: Similar to point spread bets, but typically the spread is set at +/- 1.5 goals.
• Futures Bets: These include bets on the Stanley Cup winner, conference champions, individual awards like the Hart Trophy, etc.

NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America, consisting of 30 teams. It is widely regarded as the premier basketball league in the world. The NBA season runs from October to April, with playoffs extending into June.

In Ontario, bettors can place various types of wagers on NBA games such as:

• Point Spread Bets – Betting on the margin of victory. For example, a team might be favored by -5.5 points.
• Total Points Bets (Over/Under) – Predicting whether the total points scored by both teams will be over or under a set number.
• Futures Bets – Bets on season-long outcomes, like which team will win the NBA Championship, who will be MVP, etc.

MLB

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. The MLB season runs from late March/early April to October, followed by the postseason leading to the World Series.

Sports bettors in Ontario have multiple ways to bet on MLB games such as:

• Run Line Bets: Similar to point spreads in other sports, typically set at +/- 1.5 runs.
• Total Runs Bets (Over/Under): Betting on the total number of runs scored in a game.
• Prop Bets: Bets on specific events within a game, such as home runs hit, strikeouts by a pitcher, etc.

MLS

Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is the highest level of men’s professional soccer in these countries. The league consists of 29 teams, with the regular season running from late February or early March to October, followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The most popular types of bets on the MLS by Ontario bettors are:

• Moneyline Bets: Betting on the outcome of a match (win, lose, or draw).
• Total Goals Bets (Over/Under): Betting on the total number of goals scored in a match.
• Prop Bets: Betting on specific occurrences, such as the first goal scorer, the number of corners, player performance, etc.
• Parlays: Combining multiple bets into one wager for a larger payout.

In Ontario, these bets can be placed through legal sportsbooks, either online or at physical betting locations, providing a wide array of options for sports enthusiasts to engage with their favorite leagues.

Ontario Sports Teams to Bet On

With a huge amount of professional sports teams located in Ontario, there are always local games to bet on. Here are some of the biggest and most popular sports franchises that you can bet on in Ontario.

Toronto Argonauts

The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team based in Toronto, Ontario. They compete in the East Division of the CFL. Founded in 1873, the Argonauts are the oldest existing professional sports team in Canada. They have won the Grey Cup more than any other team, with 18 titles in total. Throughout Ontario, sports bettors often place wagers on Argonauts games, particularly during the CFL playoffs, where interest in football betting spikes.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the most iconic hockey teams in the NHL. Established in 1917, they are one of the “Original Six” NHL teams and have a storied history, including 13 Stanley Cup championships, although their last win was in 1967. Based in downtown Toronto, they have a massive and passionate fan base. In Ontario, betting on the Maple Leafs is especially popular, with fans frequently engaging in bets on game outcomes, playoff prospects, and player performances throughout the NHL season.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors compete in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. Established in 1995 as part of the NBA’s expansion into Canada, the Raptors gained significant popularity, particularly after winning their first NBA Championship in 2019. The Raptors draw considerable betting action in Ontario, with fans placing wagers on everything from regular season games to the intense matchups of the NBA playoffs.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s only MLB team. Founded in 1977 and based at the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto, they are notable for being the first team based outside the United States to win the World Series. The Blue Jays compete in the American League East division and their games are a focal point for sports betting in Ontario, with bets placed on game results, series outcomes, and individual player achievements.

Toronto FC

Toronto FC is a professional soccer team that plays in the MLS. Toronto FC has seen considerable success in recent years, winning the MLS Cup in 2017 and securing multiple Canadian Championship titles. Soccer betting has been growing in popularity in Ontario and Toronto FC’s matches attract a lot of attention from bettors, particularly during the MLS playoffs and other significant matches like the Canadian Championship.

Other Types of Gambling in Ontario

Sports betting isn’t the only form of gambling that is legal in Ontario. There are several other types of gambling that the public can take part in. 

Casino

Casino gambling has been legal since 1992 in Ontario. There are 28 physical casinos to choose from. More recently, online casino gambling has spread in popularity throughout the province and there are now more than 60 online casinos to use. Each online casino has been carefully vetted by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario in order to make sure that the general public use trustworthy, safe and legally compliant platforms.

Poker

There are plenty of ways for Ontario gamblers to play poker. With a constant stream of high stakes cash games and big tournaments, poker players have lots of options to choose from when it comes to online poker. PokerStars, 888poker and BETMGM are amongst some of the most popular poker brands that are used in Ontario.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is highly popular all over the world, including Canada. If you’re in Ontario you will be able to wager on all sorts of horse races from around the world. However, due to regulations, namely the federal government overseeing all horse race betting in Canada, only a few online platforms offer this as a betting option. The best of the bunch and the highest acclaimed brand being bet365. They offer a fantastic hub for horse racing and we highly recommend that you use them if you are going to wager on online horse racing.

Ontario Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Ontario?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Ontario. In April 2022, 13 online sportsbooks launched in the province. The iGaming market in Ontario keeps growing year over year and there are now 30+ legal sportsbooks to choose from.

How many sportsbook accounts can I open?

You are only allowed to open one account per sportsbook. Meaning that if you want to create an account with TonyBet, you will only be able to use your name, address, and other personal details once. However, nothing is stopping you from creating an account with every legal sportsbook in Ontario. Meaning you can create more than 30 sportsbook accounts currently.

How can I start betting on sports?

You can bet on sports by signing up to a sportsbook and creating an account. Once you have registered with your personal details, the sportsbook will approve your account. When this has been done, you will need to choose a suitable payment method and deposit some money into your account. When it arrives, which is usually instantly you will be able to place a wager on hundreds of different sporting events throughout the world.

What sports can I bet on in Ontario?

You can bet on plenty of different sports in Ontario. Some of the most popular leagues to bet on include: CFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and the MLS. You can also bet on other popular leagues and sports around the world such as the NFL, UFC, Premier League and Champions League. You will also be able to bet on smaller niche sports such as badminton, volleyball and eSports.

Do I need to pay taxes on gambling winnings?

No, you do not. The only time you would have to pay taxes on winnings is if you’re a professional gambler or when you use your winnings to fund an investment that will then bring further earnings.

Do I have to live in Ontario to bet on sports?

You don’t have to live in Ontario to bet on sports. However, you must be physically present within the province of Ontario to wager at sportsbooks that are licensed in Ontario.