• About Us / Contact
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Massachusetts
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbooks
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Massachusetts
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbooks
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Northern Exposure: More Ontario Numbers, CFL Rule Changes, Portnoy Comes To Canada

There's a ton of sports betting news in Canada this week and a do-or-die game for the Raptors on Thursday

Greg Warren by Greg Warren
April 28, 2022
in Industry, Sports
Northern Exposure cover shot

Art by Blundell Designs

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Each Thursday, Sports Handle will recap all the top sports betting news in Canada, highlight the Game of the Week, and take a look ahead at some of the most intriguing games to bet on over the weekend.

Game of the week

No team has ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit in the NBA playoffs, but the Toronto Raptors could be on the brink of making history against the Philadelphia 76ers. Toronto has taken back-to-back games in the series and has complete momentum heading into a do-or-die Game 6 on Thursday evening on their home court.

The Raptors are consensus 1.5-point underdogs at sportsbooks, with totals ranging from 210 to 211. But the major storyline is the massive line movement in series odds since Toronto claimed an unlikely victory in Game 5 in Philadelphia on Monday.

The Raptors won't quit 😤

Odds to win the series:
After Game 3 → +5100
Now → +610#WeTheNorth | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/kchLF3QC5l

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 26, 2022

All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet is considered doubtful with a hip injury Thursday, so Toronto may be forced to play big without a true point guard in the lineup again. If the Raptors can pull off a third straight win, Game 7 will take place Saturday night in Philadelphia.

More Ontario sportsbook app numbers

This week, we’re seeing a shift in Ontario sportsbook app download data.

TheScore Bet had the most downloaded app out of the gate at a 35% share from April 4-April 19, but it appears as though the sportsbook is beginning to lose momentum, according to the latest numbers from Morgan Stanley.

.@theScoreBet cedes download share again in Ontario, according to Thomas Allen from Morgan Stanley.

theScore had 12% share on 4/23 vs. 65% on 4/4

With that slide comes share gains from @bet365 to 38% on 4/23 from 14% on 4/4 and @BetMGM to 21% from 2%. pic.twitter.com/soLvdCSTwV

— C. Blake Weishaar (@Fantini_Blake) April 25, 2022

The surge in downloads of the BetMGM app is notable, and it’s not surprising that bet365, which already had a huge portion of the market share as a gray sportsbook prior to the launch of the regulated market, continues to have a strong presence in the province.

Popular international sportsbooks such as Pinnacle, Betway, and BetRegal are in the licensing process with Ontario regulators and could be launching in the province over the coming weeks and months. Those sportsbooks are expected to gain significant market share once they go live.

DraftKings is another major sportsbook that’s expected to join the Ontario market, though there’s still no timetable on licensing and a prospective launch date.

It’s important to note the limitations of the download data above, as it’s not a true indication that users are actually depositing funds and continuously wagering with any given sportsbook app. Revenue numbers have not yet been reported by iGaming Ontario, which has stated a plan for revenue sharing will be released at a later time.

CFL rule changes

The Canadian Football League released some rule changes ahead of the 2022 season aimed at increasing scoring and game flow. Some of those changes include:

  • Moving the hashmarks closer to middle of field. Each one will be 28 yards from the nearest sideline instead of 24 yards. As a result, they will be nine yards apart instead of 17 yards apart.
  • Fifteen-yard penalties will be assessed for all no-yards calls. All no-yards penalties — which are assigned when the cover team invades a five-yard halo around the returner as he fields a punt — will be 15 yards. Previously, a no-yards penalty was 15 yards only if the ball had been fielded in the air — and only five yards if the punt had bounced. Also, any punt that sails out of bounds before it reaches an opponent’s 15-yard line will be assigned a penalty instead of only punts that sail out of bounds before they reach the 20-yard line.
  • The league will be changing the placement of the ball for kickoffs as well as following field goals and single points. After a made field goal or single point, drives will start from the 40-yard line instead of the 35-yard line. Teams kicking off for any reason will do so from their own 30-yard line instead of the 35-yard line. The only exception is kickoffs following a safety: They will now occur from the 20-yard line instead of the 25-yard line.
  • Two quarterbacks will now be allowed on the field at the same time.

“Our football leaders told us the current hashmarks too often had the effect of taking the 12th man on the field — the receiver on the far side — out of the play. A throw to him was consistently seen as too risky. And that, in turn, was diluting the impact of our huge field, which is perhaps the most unique thing about Canadian football,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie in the release.

One notable omission from the rule changes is the four-down model. The CFL will continue to use its unique three-down system.

The CFL saw scoring drop from 49.5 points per game in 2019 to 43.1 points per game in 2021, a decrease of 12.9%. Many believe these rule changes should help kickstart offenses again this season.

Blue Bombers' head coach Mike O'Shea believes rule changes will make CFL more excitinghttps://t.co/or5bryWzYC#Bombers | #ForTheW | #Winnipeg | #CFL pic.twitter.com/G7aDfYsJGA

— John Hodge (@JohnDHodge) April 27, 2022

Ontario Licenses

ComeOn! Sports & Casino is the newest operator now licensed with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. However, the operator still hasn’t signed an operating agreement with iGO, according to the regulator’s website.

Launched in 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden, ComeOn! is also licensed with The Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao, and the UK Gambling Commission. The operator is using former “TSN Sportscentre” anchor Natasha Staniszewski as a brand ambassador.

There are now 23 operators licensed with the AGCO and 21 platforms now live in the province of Ontario.

Rivalry reports earnings

Toronto-based Rivalry, a sports betting and entertainment company that focuses on esports, reported earnings to investors this week.

One of the first operators to launch in Ontario on April 4, Rivalry reported significant growth for the fiscal year ending December 2021 and also released some preliminary numbers for the three-month period that ended March 31.

We reported Q4/21, FY 21, and prelim Q1/22 at $RVLY this AM. Triple digit YoY growth across the board, with rev of $11.1M for FY 21, up 617% YoY. Growth has continued into 22, with prelim Q1 handle of $40.2M, up 62% sequentially from Q4/21, and 273% YoY. https://t.co/Gi5Qho6dLN

— Steven Salz (@StevenSalz) April 27, 2022

The latest earnings report doesn’t include any Ontario financials, but CEO Steven Salz discourages jumping to conclusions based on any early revenue numbers reported in the coming weeks and months.

"… It’s going to take 12 to 18 months to see who has a great product and who actually understands the market. (Today) isn’t showing who has strength because promotions give you a transient customer who’s not there because they love the brand.”

We have a focused thesis @ $RVLY https://t.co/rN18g2swro pic.twitter.com/zRGOgTrSev

— Steven Salz (@StevenSalz) April 23, 2022

 

Dave Portnoy visits Toronto

Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy was in Toronto this week promoting theScore Bet app, which like Barstool is part of Penn National Gaming. Prior to his arrival, Portnoy posted a video on Instagram featuring his awful rendition of the Canadian national anthem to announce his plans to head north of the border.

TheScore Bet has carved out a section of its app for special MLB, NBA, and NHL markets titled “Picks from Pres” from April 25-28.

Are you fading or riding with @stoolpresidente!? 👀 🤔 https://t.co/0VMVBzxIyk pic.twitter.com/zqHOvRgRTp

— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) April 26, 2022

While in Toronto, Portnoy has been visiting many local pizzerias to give his staple reviews and he’s attending some baseball games while the Boston Red Sox are in town for a four-game series. Earlier this month, theScore Bet announced a major partnership with the Blue Jays.

Penn National bought Score Media and Gaming for $2 billion last August.

ShareTweetShare
Greg Warren

Greg Warren

Greg is a sports editor who has previously worked for respected Canadian media outlets, including Rogers Sportsnet, theScore, and Covers Media Group. He’s covered sports in Canada for over a decade, specializing in NHL, NFL, CFL, MLB, and sports betting. In his spare time, he can be found attempting to break 90 on the golf course or cruising down the slopes at his local ski hill. You can reach Greg at gwarren@bettercollective.com.

Related Posts

gerry-dee-thescore-bet-ad
Industry

TheScore Bet Shows Responsible Gaming Education Can Be Funny

May 27, 2022
Northern Exposure cover shot
Industry

Northern Exposure: Too Many Ads, Flames-Oilers Game 5, Basketball Betting

May 26, 2022
Load More

Top Sportsbooks In Your State

1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
SugarHouse Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
PointsBet
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
PointsBet Sportsbook
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
3
FOX Bet Sportsbook
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
PointsBet
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
PointsBet Sportsbook
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
PointsBet
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
PointsBet Sportsbook Illinois
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
PointsBet
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
PointsBet
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
Betfred Sportsbook
Review / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Bet99 Sportsbook
Review / 4.7
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Sports Interaction Ontario
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
bet365 Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Bet99 Sportsbook
Review / 4.7
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Sports Interaction Ontario
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
bet365 Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Monkey Knife Fight
Rating / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
PrizePicks
Rating / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

State Sports Betting Guides

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
May 27, 2022

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
March 21, 2021

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
March 18, 2022

Most Read Stories

mattress mack betting charade

Will Everyone Please Stop Calling ‘Mattress Mack’ A Sports Bettor?

April 27, 2022
Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY

Dave Portnoy Says, ‘F**k That Guy,’ To Which Bettor And Gambling Twitter Seriously Object

May 16, 2022
map-missouri

Missouri Sports Betting Bill Draws Debate, Backlash In Senate

May 5, 2022
golden-gate-bridge-san-francisco

California Tribes Won’t Try For Mobile Proposal On 2022 Ballot

May 10, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Massachusetts
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbooks
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location