There’s never been a better time to be a sports fan in Ontario.
Over the last five years, Canada’s approach to sports betting has evolved greatly—and the province of Ontario has been one of the first to roll out a regulated betting market. Thanks to local regulations, sports betting operators have a framework available to legally and quickly set up shop.
So, what does that mean for locals? It’s easier than ever before for sports fans in Toronto and beyond to discover more Ontario promos on Oddschecker and other sports betting aggregate sites. With just a few clicks, sports fans can shop around for some of the most reliable and competitive odds in North America.
Reports from 2023 indicate that Ontarians wagered around $4 billion during the previous year—a massive number by any measure. So, what’s behind the meteoric growth of Ontario’s betting market? And why is betting turnover still going so strong in 2024?
A Concentration of Sports Fans
The most obvious reason that Ontario’s betting market is the biggest in Canada is thanks to its high population and concentration of sports fans. Toronto is the only city in the country with an MLB and NBA team, while its CFL squad is also the most successful in CFL history.
That means that Ontarians are even more likely to follow major league teams from across North America—and with so many betting options, why not get in on the action?
A Healthy Betting Market
And speaking of getting in on the action, Ontario’s more liberal approach to sports betting means that it has the healthiest market in Canada. Much of this falls back to the province’s regulatory framework. Not only did province officials legalize sports betting, but they also laid out a dynamic and beneficial framework for providers.
In other words, sportsbooks can easily set up shop in Ontario. And with less red tape for sportsbooks to navigate, the faster they’re able to join the betting industry.
A Growing List of Competitors
As outlined just above, Ontario’s growing list of sports betting providers might be a headache for sportsbooks to navigate—but it’s a great thing for sports bettors. The more competition, the better the welcome deals and the greater the savings for bettors. This allows them to shop around on sites like Oddschecker to find the right provider who offers the right bets on the right sport.
With so many options, joining the betting industry is more attractive to locals in Ontario than in other provinces.
Greater Market Exposure
The availability of betting options means that sports fans throughout the province are exposed to more betting content. Back in the day, sportsbooks could only operate at certain brick-and-mortar establishments. With a broader framework to work within, sportsbooks can advertise their deals—and sports fans can learn more about betting.
With more exposure to betting, fans feel more comfortable participating. There’s simply less mystery around bet types like player props, futures, and outrights, along with what types of information should be used to inform betting, like matchups and stats.
A Sense of Expertise & Trust
The final reason that sportsbooks in Ontario are generating so much turnover is that their providers are able to offer a sense of expertise and trust. The goal of greater market exposure and expanded regulatory frameworks is to allow the betting industry to grow while also providing bettors with a better, more efficient, and more streamlined experience.
Because the province closely monitors its sportsbooks, bettors are protected as they wager. On top of that, the competitive market provides them with even steeper deals as sportsbooks seek to create loyal bettors. Overall, this has helped foster a sense of trust between bettors and bet providers.