The sports betting scene in Canada has seemingly changed by the minute since Bill C-218 was enacted on Aug. 27.
Since Canada’s Parliament decriminalized single-event wagering at the federal level last summer, provincially run lotteries are now offering single-game betting to customers in Canada. The legal framework surrounding how private sportsbooks will be able to operate in Ontario is still being drafted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario.
There’s widespread speculation thatthe Ontario market could be opened up to private sportsbooks sometime in the first quarter of 2022. While PointsBet and Penn National Gaming have committed to being in Canada — PointsBet by creating a Canada division and PNG by buying theScore — other major operators are also prepping to gain a foothold in the province, including FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and Hard Rock.
Here’s a breakdown of the current sports betting arrangement in each province:
Ontario
Population: Approximately 15 million.
Professional sports teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto Rock (NLL), Toronto FC (MLS), Ottawa Senators (NHL), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL), Ottawa Redblacks (CFL).
Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, is home to the most professional and amateur sports organizations in the country, as well as the most potential sports bettors. Ontario is expected to open the sports betting market to private operators sometime in the first quarter of 2022. All of the other provinces will be watching carefully to see if this type of model will work for them as well.
Provincial lottery for sports betting: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Bettors can wager on single games using Pro-Line +.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Casino Niagara, Fallsview Casino, Casino Rama, Caesars Windsor, Woodbine Racetrack.
Sporting Solutions and FDJ Gaming Solutions launch PROLINE+ in Ontario with OLG https://t.co/fnP8Lp89Bv #Canada #LatestNews
— SBC NEWS (@SBCGAMINGNEWS) August 31, 2021
Quebec
Population: Approx. 8.6 million.
Professional sports teams: Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Montreal Alouettes (CFL), Montreal Impact (MLS).
Quebec, a primarily French-speaking province, boasts three professional sports franchises. The region used to also host the Montreal Expos (moved to Washington in 2004) Major League Baseball franchise and the Quebec Nordiques (NHL) before they became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995.
Provincial lottery for sports betting: Loto-Quebec. Uses sports betting platform called Mise-o-jeu. Single-game betting available to residents.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Casino de Montreal, Casino de Charlevoix, Casino du Lac-Leamy, Casino de Mont-Tremblant.
. @pgaofcanada has a new title sponsor for its national championship. Canadian sports betting & e-gaming brand @betregal has signed a three-year agreement.
BetRegal PGA Championship of Canada presented by TaylorMade Golf & adidas Golf is set for August 3 – 7 in Bromont, Quebec. pic.twitter.com/cCVUGPVXC1— Rick Young (@YoungerGolf) August 4, 2021
British Columbia
Population: Approx. 5.2 million.
Professional sports teams: Vancouver Canucks (NHL), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Vancouver Warriors (NLL), British Columbia Lions (CFL).
British Columbia is another province that private sportsbook operators will be very interested in. The city of Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and boasts four professional sports teams. Sports fans and bettors in this region also keep close tabs on nearby Seattle teams.
Provincial sports lottery for sports betting: British Columbia Lottery Corporation–PlayNow. Bettors can wager on single games.
Major casinos for future sportsbook: Cascades Casino, Elements Casino, Grand Villa Casino, Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.
.@NFL games are the top #sports betting events in #BritishColumbia on @PlayNowCasino & @PlayNowSports. More: https://t.co/xIhOY0K4WP pic.twitter.com/Ct096HqNBG
— BCLC (@BCLC) September 7, 2017
Alberta
Population: Approx. 4.5 million.
Professional sports teams: Calgary Flames (NHL), Edmonton Oilers (NHL), Calgary Roughnecks (NLL), Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Edmonton Elks (CFL).
After Ontario, private operators will surely be interested in Alberta’s sports betting revenue potential. Besides being the home of many professional sports teams, this province is known for hosting the yearly Calgary Stampede and is a paradise for alpine skiing and other winter sports.
Provincial sports lottery for sports betting: Western Canada Lottery Corporation-PlayAlberta, Sport Select. Bettors can wager on single games.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Casino Edmonton–Pure, Century Casino Edmonton, Casino Calgary–Pure, Elbow River Casino.
Just days after the Canadian market finally launched single-event sports betting on August 27, regulated sports wagering in Alberta is now live through @AGLC's @PlayAlbertaCA:https://t.co/BrhXyLaIpb
— Gaming Business (@CdnGamingBiz) September 1, 2021
Manitoba
Population: Approx. 1.4 million.
Professional sports teams: Winnipeg Jets (NHL), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL).
Winnipeg is the epicenter of sports in Manitoba, a province known for developing world-class curlers and hockey players. Many sports fans in this region, which shares a border with Minnesota and South Dakota, follow Minnesota and Wisconsin sports teams due to their close proximity.
Provincial lottery for sports betting: Western Canada Lottery Corporation–PlayNow/Sport Select. Bettors can wager on single games.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: South Beach Casino and Resort, Club Regent Casino, McPhillips Station Casino.
The wait is almost over! The federal government has announced that single-event betting will be allowed legally in Canada, beginning August 27. At that time, sports bettors in Manitoba will be able to place wagers with https://t.co/lly96syHv1 on the single outcome of a game! 18+
— PlayNow Manitoba (@PlayNowManitoba) August 12, 2021
Saskatchewan
Population: Approx. 1.2 million.
Professional sports teams: Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL), Saskatchewan Rush (NLL).
Home to the wildest fans in the Canadian Football League, this prairie province is also known for curling. The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority is planning to launch a new sports betting app in 2022. For now, sports betting is only available at select retail locations through their provincial lottery.
Provincial lottery for sports betting: Western Canada Lottery Corporation-Sport Select. Retail only. Single-game betting available.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Casino Regina, Living Sky Casino.
SIGA named new provincial operator of Online Gaming site. https://t.co/4pYPBLuRLy@fsinations @SKGov #casinos #skpoli #onlinegaming #sportsbetting
— SIGA (@HomeSIGA) September 23, 2021
Atlantic Canada
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation and its Pro-Line Platform, are available in Canada’s Maritime Provinces plus Newfoundland and Labrador, though currently only parlay wagering is offered in Nova Scotia.
“Single-event sports betting became available to players in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador on Aug. 27,” ALC Communications Strategist Greg Weston told Sports Handle. “Each province makes informed decisions — based on various factors that include legislation, regulations and their individual gaming strategies — to determine what products will be offered to players. We are working with our provincial shareholders on the next steps to be able to provide this option across Atlantic Canada. Bill C-218 and single-event sports betting will be assessed and discussed with the new government in Nova Scotia.”
Nova Scotia
Population: Approx. 1 million.
Professional sports teams: Halifax Thunderbirds (NLL).
Nova Scotia is the largest of the Atlantic provinces and is known as a junior hockey hotbed. The province has bred high-profile hockey stars Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), but still doesn’t have a NHL team. Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Seaboard and Maine, many fans and bettors follow Boston sports teams religiously.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Casino Nova Scotia Halifax, Casino Nova Scotia Sydney.
Goood morning from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia — home of Sidney Crosby and they won’t let you forget it. Can ya blame them? It’s been great to see so much of this province. pic.twitter.com/KBPlH4zlmD
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) May 7, 2019
New Brunswick
Population: Approx. 790,000.
Professional sports teams: None.
The final Atlantic province, New Brunswick also doesn’t boast any professional sports teams due to its small population. However, it’s home to three junior hockey teams.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Casino New Brunswick Moncton.
Quietly behind Ontario, the provinces of Newfoundland, PEI and New Brunswick all launched single game betting today as well.
This was more to expectation. Traditional customer bases are encouraged to "pick online and pay in store". More expensive 106% ATS/OU vs 104% for Ontario. pic.twitter.com/LRpvIAwTSb
— Adam Chernoff (@adamchernoff) August 27, 2021
Newfoundland and Labrador
Population: Approx. 520,000.
Professional sports teams: None.
Although the province lacks a professional sports franchise, Newfoundland residents have long enjoyed hockey. The AHL’s St. John’s Maple Leafs were the heart and soul of the province from 1991-2005, but broke the hearts of locals when they were relocated to Toronto and renamed the Marlies. Curling is also popular in the region.
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: None.
Atlantic Lottery opens single-game sports betting in Newfoundland and Labrador | Saltwire https://t.co/vIEtVc5gVY pic.twitter.com/C2l0T0a7xx
— The Telegram (@StJohnsTelegram) August 28, 2021
Prince Edward Island
Population: Approx. 160,000.
Professional sports teams: None.
This small and picturesque maritime island has produced many hockey players and curlers throughout its rich history. The hockey-crazed province is home to a junior hockey team, the Charlottetown Islanders, and is one of the smallest regions in Canada. Horse racing is also popular on the island.
Pandemic boosts betting at Charlottetown race track https://t.co/mJ83yApZdF #pei pic.twitter.com/XiZabWnTet
— CBC P.E.I. (@CBCPEI) January 27, 2021
Major casinos for potential future sportsbook: Red Shores Racetrack and Casino–Charlottetown and Summerside locations.
Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Population: Approx. 140,000 combined.
Professional sports teams: None.
The northern regions of Canada are so sparse that it’s hard to imagine any future professional sports teams or sportsbooks setting up there. However, local residents do bet on when the ice will thaw on the Yukon River each spring.
There's a tradition in Dawson City, Yukon that stretches back more than a hundred years — betting on when the… https://t.co/AEDb2wx3W9
— CBCNorthComms (@CBCNorthComms) April 7, 2017
Provincial lottery for sports betting: WCLC – can bet at retail location only, no online betting. There is no current plan for online wagering, unless with an offshore sportsbook.
Major casinos for future sportsbook: None.
