One of the most exciting changes in gambling in Ontario will soon be upon us, as customers will have the opportunity to make wagers online from April 4th. It is one of the biggest changes in betting in the province in decades, and is something that all sports and casino fans have been hoping for. Previously, players could only wager at government run websites, and government sportsbooks only permitted parley betting. What are the new law changes that are coming into play? What sportsbooks and casinos have already made their move to obtain a licence authorized by the Ontario provincial government agency ?
The law change has been years in the making, and will enable sports and casino players to make wagers online. It is a significant change for the province, and one that fans have been crying out for. Despite the fact that sports betting has been legal in Ontario since 2001, the option to make single bets online is something that customers haven’t been able to do. Recently Canadian provinces have fallen behind many other jurisdictions in North America, with multiple states in the United States legalizing and licensing online casinos and sportsbooks. Many believe that the 2001 Canadian federal government law change to allow single game betting legal change could have huge benefits to the sector. The enforcement and management of the new laws are provincial matters, and many casinos and sportsbooks that had previously operated with off-shore licensing are taking the plunge and obtaining licences via Ontario iGaming Online gambling authority. As Ontario is by far Canada's most populous potential market, other provinces are waiting to see how well the Ontario rollout will succeed, and will probably set up their own similar licensing authorities in the near future.
There is a growing number of bookmakers ready to open their online doors to the masses in Ontario, with global names such as Bet365, 888Sport and PointsBet among them. What will customers be able to expect when the sites launch on April 4th?
Bet365 is already renowned as one of the leaders in the online sports betting sector, and was one of the first to apply for a legal casino Canada licence in Ontario. It’s unknown at this moment whether the site will have the same licences in Europe or North America, which will have a direct impact on the sports available to bet on. For example, European players can make wagers on horse racing while those in legal American states cannot. Customers in Canada will be able to find an excellent welcome promotion at this site though, as players in the US can get $200 in free bets after making a qualifying $1 wager.
FanDuel has been one of the biggest sites in the USA since launching, and that is expected to see it become one of the leading online sportsbooks in Ontario. Both the casino and sportsbook will be available to new customers in the Canadian province, with over 114 slot games available, as well as table and live dealer games. Customers signing up for an account can expect to see an excellent welcome bonus in the casino, which sees players get a 100% refund on losses in their 24 hours as a customer.
The Score Bet is Toronto-based, which means players will immediately see the site as a trusted source for their betting needs. Preparations are already underway for the launch in the province, with players able to download the app and pre-register for an account. Excitement levels are high, and that is echoed by the launch party called ‘Home Opener’ that The Score is throwing for fans over the age of 19 in Toronto across the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th April. The current bonus available in the United States at this sportsbook sees players get a first-deposit matched bonus up to $1000.
Caesars is another of the major American household names that have already been granted a licence for the sportsbook and casino to open in early April. It is one of the best well-rounded bookmakers online, with William Hill being the powerhouse behind their sportsbook. The casino section offers the option to bet on over 100 different slot titles, with live dealer, jackpot and table games also available. The welcome bonus available to players in Ontario is yet to be revealed, but it is likely to be one of the best on the market given their track record in the US.
BetMGM is another of the Las Vegas-based sportsbooks that have already been granted a licence in Ontario. The sportsbook is deep at this site, with the option to make wagers on all the most popular North American sports, such as basketball, hockey, and American Football. This will ensure it becomes one of the most popular legal online sportsbooks in Ontario. Players in the US can currently take advantage of a $1,000 risk-free bet when they sign up, and a leading offer is also likely for the launch of the Ontario site.
Another of the leading sites with prowess in both its sportsbook and casino launching in Ontario is 888. The casino is expected to offer a similar welcome bonus available to customers in the US, which sees players get a 100% match up to $100 on their first deposit. A wide selection of games is available at the casino, including over 1000 slot titles. The 888 sportsbook is also deep, and covers global options such as soccer, American Football, and horse racing. Further sporting betting options can also be found with golf, basketball, and hockey also available.
Unibet is one of the leading sportsbooks for players online, and is sure to be a hit for players in Ontario when it’s launched. New players will be able to get a 100% bonus up to $250, while casino players can expect to find a welcome promotion offering a 100% bonus up to $500. Once again, all the leading sports will be available at the sportsbook, including hockey, basketball, and football, both Canadian and American. A number of features are also likely to ensure that gamblers are kept entertained, with in-play markets prominent on all the most popular sports.
One of the first sportsbooks that were fully licenced after the passing of the new gambling law in Ontario was Rivalry. The sportsbook based in Toronto was legalized in February, and has vowed to become one of the most popular betting options available to customers in their ‘own backyard’. Like all its competitors, there will be an excellent welcome bonus available. Players will likely be able to claim a 100% bonus up to $100 when signing up with the required promo code. This sportsbook certainly stands out from the crowd, as it puts extra emphasis on the eSports markets available on its site, with games such as DOTA, LOL and CS:GO all having extensive betting markets.
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