
In-person gambling has been available to you as an Ontarian for over 30 years. However, since the recent restructuring and amendment to the laws, you may have your eyes set on the launch of online and mobile wagering if you are over the age of 19.
There is no doubt that April 4th will bring a lot of positive changes to the way Ontario places its bets. However, alongside making use of ProLine Plus, gamblers can also visit retail destinations to place their parlays and single-game sports wagers.
Unsurprisingly, the most populous province across Canada is home to the largest collection of retail casinos. Bricks-and-mortar casinos were legalized in 1985 when provinces and territories were given the right to oversee retail slots action, lotteries, and charitable gaming.
As we fast-forward some 30+ years, in-person gambling is still holding its own as a favored pastime amongst many Ontarians. In fact, based on a poll held back in 2011, it would appear that over 82.9% of those aged 19 and above had made some form of gambling deposit.
Over 50 casinos are currently available if you are an in-person bettor, alongside the chance to enjoy slots action at selected horse racing tracks. Since the introduction of ProLine Plus, you are now able to place your very own sports betting wagers when visiting retail casinos and land-based lottery centers if you are an online bettor.
As more and more private sportsbooks begin to register their interest with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), more and more opportunities look set to arise for you.
April 4th is a milestone date for the online gambling market, presenting you with the chance to legally place wagers online and via their mobile phones. With this in mind, it is worth considering which major players of the sportsbook world have already got their feet firmly through the larger Ontario betting market door.
The first name that springs to mind is Caesars. The popular Caesars Windsor Casino is a popular choice amongst many Ontario retail casino visitors, presenting its customers with over 2,600 slots, 14 poker tables, and 95 table games. The hotel currently hosts 758 rooms and eight restaurants, too – a perfect way to spend your Caesars rewards. Currently, sports bettors can look to place their sports wagers by accessing Game Picks on the casino floor. However, with the Caesars online sportsbook set to launch across Ontario in April, we would not be surprised to see the availability of in-person sports betting become even more accessible throughout the Windsor Casino.
Rivalry is another operator that has its sights set on becoming a household name across Ontario. Although there is no physical casino present across the province, Rivalry does boast a hybrid platform that features a sportsbook and online casino. Co-Founder and CEO Steven Salz said, “We are very pleased to be one of the first companies to be registered as an internet gaming operator in Ontario. As a proud Toronto-founded and based company, it’s a particular privilege to be able to finally offer our innovative product legally and responsibly in our backyard. I’m confident we will deliver a differentiated experience that will elevate what consumers think sports betting can be.”
Other online sportsbooks that look set to join the market include theScore bet, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, amongst others. Unlike Caesars, many of these online operators will have to form partnerships with a land-based casino in Ontario, in order to provide its sportsbook offering to retail clients. Much like in the US, backing from a respected retail casino is the final piece of the puzzle to cement your position across the market.
If you’re yet to consider which online sportsbook is the right choice for you, may we suggest heading over to GamblingGuy and making use of our operator reviews. Here, you’ll be presented with an honest overview of what each platform promises to bring you, including comments on market availability, the functionality of its mobile app, and more.
As things start hotting up over the coming weeks, we’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date on all the latest breaking online casino and sports betting news that affects Ontario, too.
19+ and physically located in Ontario. Gambling Problem? Call 1-866-531-2600 or visit connexontario.ca.
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