Top 3 Ontario Sportsbooks in 2023: An Overview of the Best Sports Betting Sites in Ontario

Ontario bettors can currently choose from about 24 legal sportsbooks. Each of these sportsbooks has something unique to offer. However, some of these bookies are better than the rest, and smart bettors always go for the best.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the top three best sports betting sites in Ontario to help point you in the right direction. This overview also includes a brief guide on important factors to consider when choosing an ideal sportsbook.

Top 3 Best Sports Betting Sites in Ontario

Here is an overview of the three best sportsbooks Ontario offers and their most notable features:

• SI Sportsbook – Best overall experience for new players
• BetRivers – Good range of sports betting markets
• PointsBet – Unique way to bet with Points Betting

Comparing the Best Sportsbooks in Ontario

Here is an overview of the top three Ontario sportsbooks’ highlights, including their best features and sports categories:

>> Register Now at SI Sportsbook <<

Win Money Playing at Ontario Betting Sites

Besides being fun, sports betting in Ontario is also potentially lucrative. You stand a chance to win some money and other exciting prizes every time you place an accurate bet on any of the sportsbooks operating in the province. Here is a brief overview of how sports betting works in Ontario.

How Does Online Betting Work?

Online betting is fun and easy once you get the hang of it. Here is an overview of how it works in a nutshell:

Registering for a Player Account

You need an active player account to start betting on any of the best sports betting sites in Ontario. The registration process is usually quick and easy. It involves filling in your basic ID and contact details, such as your name, date of birth, phone number, and email address. You must also verify these details by providing copies of your ID or utility documents, such as your passport or a power utility bill. Most of the best sportsbooks in Ontario will verify your details and activate your account within a few minutes.

Funding Your Player Account

You need money in your player account to bet for real money. Different Ontario sportsbooks support diverse payment methods, including the following:

• Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.)
• Online wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.)
• Bank Transfer

Most deposit methods are instant, but some may take a few business days to process. Additionally, most bookies offer free transactions, while some may charge commissions and transaction fees.

Researching, Identifying & Placing Winning Bets

Besides luck, your likelihood of winning also depends on your betting strategy. A good betting strategy involves researching each game and using your findings to make accurate predictions. For example, you should examine each team’s past performances, strengths (such as team formation), and weaknesses (such as playing away from home).

Placing bets is easy and quick. You can identify bets by clicking on a sports category and browsing through the available games and betting markets. Most sportsbooks will automatically add your bets to your bet slip when you click on a betting market. Most bookies will also send you a notification informing you whether your bets have won or lost.

Withdrawing Your Winnings

The amount you stand to win depends on your stake amount and the bet’s odds. You can withdraw your winnings using the sportsbook’s accepted payment methods, including credit/debit cards, online wallets, and bank transfers. You can only cash out when you meet the bookie’s minimum withdrawal limit – withdrawal limits can start as low as $10 or as high as $100 (and more).

Withdrawal processing times vary depending on the sportsbook – some bookies process withdrawals instantly, but some may take several business days. Most withdrawal transactions are free, but some bookies charge commissions and transaction fees.

How Ontario Sportsbooks Work

You must be at least 19 years old to register with a sportsbook in Ontario. Overall, sportsbooks in Ontario operate based on the processes discussed above.

However, Ontario sportsbooks also differ in certain important aspects, such as their sports selections, betting markets, bet types, and payment methods. Many Ontario bookies also have geo-fencing restrictions that automatically restrict betting when you leave Ontario – for example, BetRivers’ mobile apps don’t work outside Ontario.

>> Register Now at SI Sportsbook <<

The #1 Sportsbook in Ontario: SI Sportsbook

SI Sportsbook is owned and operated by two of the global iGaming industry’s brands: Sports Illustrated and 888 Holdings. It is one of the best sportsbooks Ontario has to offer because of its wide range of premium betting features, including the following:

Diverse Sports Categories & Betting Markets

SI Sportsbook offers 21 sports categories, including the following:

• Major sports: Hockey, soccer, football, basketball, baseball
• Niche sports: Volleyball, rugby, darts
• Alternative bets: Esports

Hockey, one of Canada’s favourite sports, is well-represented on the platform. The bookie also offers a range of eSports, including eFootball and eBasketball. Overall, the sports categories offer hundreds of betting markets and bet types.

Live Betting

SI Sportsbooks also offer live (in-play) betting events across diverse sports, including soccer and basketball. The live betting page also features a schedule of future live events, giving you enough time to research and prepare your bets.

Payments

SI Sportsbook supports the following payment methods:

• Cards: Visa, Mastercard and Discover
• Ewallets: PayPal
• Alternative payment options: Bank transfer, Play+, Paynearme

All transactions are free and secure. Withdrawals are relatively fast and usually take between one and three business days to process.

Sleek Mobile Apps

This bookie has dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. The apps are sleek, easy to use, and feature everything available on the desktop website. The website is also mobile-responsive.

• Diverse sports categories.
• Hundreds of betting markets.
• Dedicated mobile apps.
• Dedicated customer support.
• Withdrawals are relatively quick.

>> Register Now at SI Sportsbook <<

The #2 Best Sportsbook in Ontario: BetRivers

BetRivers launched in Ontario on March 9, 2022. It is one of the best sports betting sites in Ontario for the following reasons:

Large Sports Inventory

BetRivers offers hundreds of betting markets across more than 30 sports categories, including the following:

• Major sports: Hockey, football, basketball
• Minor sports: Cycling, floorball, lacrosse
• Alternative sports: Esports, politics, entertainment

The sports categories also include non-sport special events, such as political elections and entertainment awards. You can also bet on exclusive house specials.

Dedicated Mobile Apps

BetRivers has dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. The apps are compatible with most operating systems and feature HD-quality graphics, making mobile betting easy and enjoyable. However, the apps only work when you are located within Ontario. The desktop website is also mobile-responsive.

Live Betting & Live Streaming

You can wager on ongoing games via the live betting page. You can also watch select games live via the live streaming feature.

Quick & Secure Payments

All transactions on BetRivers are free and secure. Deposits are instant, while withdrawals may take up to two business days to process. You can deposit or withdraw as little as $10 at a time.

• A live streaming feature is available.
• Special events are available.
• Dedicated mobile apps.
• An early cash-out feature is available.

>> Register Now at BetRivers <<

The #3 Best Sportsbook in Ontario: PointsBet

PointsBet was the first sportsbook to receive an Ontario license. The following features make it one of the best sportsbooks Ontario offers:

Exciting Sports Selection

PointsBet offers more than 20 sports categories. You can select your preferred sports based on specific leagues, including the following:

• NBA, NHL, MLB and more
• English Premier League
• Good for futures

PointsBet also offers a unique and innovative feature known as Name a Bet. This feature lets players identify specific bets they want to see on the platform.

Live Streaming

PointsBet has a simplified live streaming feature known as Visualizations. However, this feature only shows an animated version of live games. It is also worth noting that you can bet on live events.

Early Cash-Out

PointsBet offers an early cash-out feature that works for winning and losing bets. You can use this feature to claim your winnings before the game ends. Alternatively, you can use it to cancel losing bets and get back a fraction of your stake money.

Responsible Gaming

PointsBet offers various responsible gambling solutions. For example, players can activate the “Cool Off” feature to lock their accounts for up to 90 days. They can also set limits on aspects such as deposits and stake amounts.

• Diverse sports categories.
• Numerous betting markets.
• Responsible gambling solutions.
• Dedicated mobile apps.
• Name a Bet feature.

>> Register Now at PointsBet <<

Is Sports Betting Legal in Ontario?

Canada legalized single-game sports betting on August 27, 2021, when it passed the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. Soon thereafter, Ontario became the first Canadian province to launch an iGaming market on April 4, 2022, legalizing online sports betting.

Currently, iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario have legalized 28 online sportsbooks and more than 60 online gambling websites. The legalized sportsbooks are safe and fair because they are regulated, unlike some of the unscrupulous, unregulated offshore bookies.

Interestingly, sports betting has been legal in Canada since 1985. However, bettors could only wager on parlay (multiple bets combined into one) and pari-mutuel bets. Additionally, all betting activities were only available through a lottery system provided by the province, making it inconvenient. Fortunately, the legalization of single-game betting and online sportsbooks has made betting easier and more convenient, and it is already revolutionizing Canada’s betting industry.

Why is Online Betting Popular?

Online betting is popular because of its many advantages over traditional betting. Overall, convenience is the greatest benefit of online betting. For starters, you can play from anywhere using your computer, smartphone, or tablet. You can also play at any time, including during working hours. Other popular aspects of online betting include diverse betting markets, privacy, and low fees.

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a New Sportsbook Operator

You need a good sportsbook for an enjoyable and rewarding betting experience. Some bookies offer more and better features than others. Here is an overview of seven crucial factors to consider when looking for the best sports betting sites in Ontario:

Betting Markets

Some sportsbooks offer dozens of betting markets, while others offer hundreds or thousands. Few betting markets mean few betting opportunities. As such, considering a bookmaker’s sports categories (including popular and rare sports), the number of betting markets under each category, and the available bet types are all very important.

Payment Methods

Important factors to consider when evaluating a bookmaker’s payment methods include the following:

• Types of payment methods.
• Deposit and withdrawal processing times.
• Deposit and withdrawal limit amounts.
• Transaction fees.
• Safety.

Start by checking whether the bookmaker’s payment methods are supported in your location. It is also recommended to go for a bookie with affordable (or zero) transaction fees, high deposit and withdrawal limits, and secure transactions.

Mobile App

Most players prefer mobile betting because they can play on the go, from anywhere, and at any time. Using a PC can be cumbersome, so look for a bookie with a dedicated mobile application.

Alternatively, you can use the bookie’s mobile website via your phone’s mobile browser. Ideally, the app or mobile website should be easy to use and contain all of the betting markets and features available on the desktop website.

Live Betting & Live Streaming

Live betting is convenient because ongoing games are easier to predict. It is also fun and engaging because you can follow your bet’s progress by watching the ongoing games. Live streaming is also convenient because you can watch ongoing games directly from the bookie’s website or app.

Licensing & Security

You can get into trouble with the law for engaging in illegal online betting, so always ensure the bookie is registered, licensed, and regulated. Your data’s privacy is also a valid concern, especially considering the rising threat of cyberattacks. As such, ensure the bookie has a strict data privacy policy and utilizes reliable cybersecurity solutions, such as data encryption.

Customer Support

Complications are common in online betting, especially when using a new sportsbook. To this end, your bookie should have a dedicated customer support team available 24/7 via different communication channels, most preferably live chat and telephone. Ideally, the customer support department should also be courteous and resourceful enough to answer any query or solve any problem.

>> Register Now at SI Sportsbook <<

Pros of Online Betting vs. Traditional Betting

Online betting started in the 1990s as internet technology advanced and evolved. Before this, sports bettors could only place wagers at traditional brick-and-mortar bookmakers and sportsbooks. However, traditional sports betting is rather inconvenient when compared to online betting. Here is an overview of four notable benefits of online betting versus traditional betting:

Privacy

Many bettors prefer keeping their betting activities private. This is difficult when playing at a traditional brick-and-mortar sportsbook because you must be physically present. However, online betting affords a great degree of privacy because you can do it via your PC or mobile phone without anyone knowing. Most online bookies also have strict data privacy policies.

Lower Fees

Some traditional brick-and-mortar bookmakers charge admission fees, commissions, and transaction fees, which can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars over time. In contrast, most online bookies don’t charge anything. Deposit and withdrawal transactions are usually free; you don’t have to pay a commission on your winnings.

Play from Anywhere

The convenience of playing from anywhere is the biggest benefit of online betting. You can play from anywhere and anytime – all you need is an internet-enabled device, such as a PC or smartphone. In contrast, you must drive to a brick-and-mortar sportsbook to start playing, taking up your precious time and disrupting your schedule.

Summary

Sports betting in Ontario is legal and safe. It can also be enjoyable and rewarding, depending on your sportsbook’s quality. SI Sportsbook, BetRivers, and PointsBet offer the best sports betting markets and features in Canada, making them some of the best sports betting sites in Ontario.

>> Register Now at SI Sportsbook <<

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Ontario?

Sports betting is legal in Ontario. Canada legalized single-game sports betting in 2021, paving the way for legal online betting.

How can I register at an Ontario sportsbook?

You must be at least 19 years old to register for a player account at any Ontario sportsbook. You must also provide and verify your basic ID and contact details to register.

How much can I win betting on sports in Ontario?

There is no limit to how much you can win through sports betting. All you need is a good betting strategy and some luck!

How long do withdrawals take?

Withdrawal processing times depend on the sportsbook and payment methods. Some bookies pay instantly, while others may take up to five business days.

Why doesn’t my BetRivers app work outside Ontario?

The BetRivers mobile app uses a geo-fencing feature that automatically disables the app when you leave Ontario. This happens because the bookie may not be licensed to operate in other jurisdictions.