Ontario Sports Betting Is Live: What Michigan’s Neighbors Can Expect
It’s an exciting time in Ontario, as legal online sports betting has waved its green flag and several top betting brands are lining up at the starting line.
It wasn’t long ago that Michigan celebrated this joyous occasion and all it had to offer.
The next few weeks and months are going to be filled with a flurry of welcome offers, promotions and odds boosts. Not to mention, saving gas to not have to cross into the states to place that futures bet on the Blue Jays to win the American League pennant.
It can all be a lot to digest if you’re new to sports betting, especially with the number of betting operators launching in the province in the double-digits. If you need a guide into the new venture, you’ve come to the right place.
What to expect from Ontario, Canada sports betting launch
It’s true that our neighbors to the north currently have access to a limited range of betting options via the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp (OLG.ca). But as of April 4, Ontarians have their pick of the litter when it comes to different online betting apps and welcome bonuses to accompany them.
More than two dozen online betting brands are already registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), according to PlayOntario. Additional operators have registered with the AGCO but await final approval from iGaming Ontario.
Among the online sportsbooks now available to bettors in Ontario are BetMGM, BetRivers, and PointsBet. Eventually, other top Michigan betting apps like DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars will join in and shower Ontario bettors with generous bonus offers.
Ontario will continue to add sportsbooks to its inventory in the coming months, just as many states in the US have done. Michigan opened with 10 online sportsbooks on its launch day Jan. 22, 2021. That number is now up to 14, with a 15th operator in the works.
Try these Ontario sportsbooks with launch promos
Many of the first online sportsbooks to launch in Ontario are currently live in Michigan as well. You can bet the offerings and betting markets at the new apps dwarf what was previously available in Canada’s most populous province.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Download App: BetMGM Sportsbook
Our Review: BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM has been able to lay claim to being one of Michigan’s top options for both online sportsbooks and casinos.
Name recognition has been a big asset for BetMGM in this state, partly due to a lot of preparation and ground work prior to Michigan’s launch. Since online sports betting launched in more than a year ago, BetMGM has the third-most online handle ($1 billion) and second-most online revenue ($117.4 million).
The biggest strengths to BetMGM are an easy interface to navigate, consistent promo options, competitive odds, a large variety of markets and straightforward promotions.
This isn’t their first rodeo; Ontario bettors get a polished product with the BetMGM app.
BetRivers Sportsbook
Download App: BetRivers Sportsbook
Our Review: BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers hits new customers with a nice facet right away, requiring just 1x playthrough on sign-up and deposit bonuses. That’s a great opportunity to get started on the right foot in your online sports betting venture.
Part of Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers has established itself as a strong sportsbook throughout the Midwest and beyond. In recent months, BetRivers finds itself climbing up the online handle and revenue rankings for Michigan, approaching the top five.
BetRivers has an attractive interface, providing a wide option of boosts, bets and promotions. While iOS users faced a delay for the BetRivers app in Michigan, Ontario customers do not have the same issue.
PointsBet Sportsbook
Download App: PointsBet Sportsbook
Review: PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet has taken a more creative approach to its sportsbook.
That includes unique features like PointsBetting, an exclusive form of wagering that PointsBet offers. How much you win – or lose – depends by how much you get your bet right or wrong. The more your wagered team wins, the more you win. However, the more it loses, the more you lose.
PointsBet has also placed a lot of effort into partnering with former athletes. Along with national spokesmen like Drew Brees and Allen Iverson, PB also appealed to Michigan fans by partnering with Richard Hamilton. Currently, PointsBet sits just outside the top 5 in all-time online handle for Michigan.
While finding some of the markets can be a little more challenging at times, the Australian-based sportsbook offers notable promos and odds for its users. The uniqueness of the app helps distinguish it from its peers.
All in all, sports betting fans in Ontario are the big winners at launch.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone
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