The sports betting market is too close to launching in Ontario as the official launch date is set for April 4th. FanDuel Sportsbook will be one of the first few operators to partake in the market’s launch next week.
Sports Betting in Ontario is Confirmed
Sportsbooks that will have the green light to accept wagers in the opening week will be subject to rules and regulations that will differ from those in the United States. According to a FanDuel spokesperson, FanDuel’s official launch date is yet to be determined.
FanDuel Group CEO Amy Howe stated in a press release;
“We’re so thrilled to open our Canadian office and bring FanDuel’s world-class sportsbook and casino to Canada’s passionate sports fans,…“This is a huge moment for the industry and we look forward to providing Canadians with entertaining and responsible sports experiences.”
Those that reside in Ontario are looking forward to what FanDuel Sportsbook could offer, as the operator has enjoyed success in several states across the United States. FanDuel will most likely be offering great promotions, odds boosters, and top-notch user experience for bettors who use their platform.
What Will Happen When Sports Betting Launches
FanDuel has an office in Canada which is located in Toronto, with its operation being led by Dale Hooper. The sportsbook company hired Hooper, who was a former Deloitte executive, in October 2021.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario approved FanDuel Sportsbook and other casino apps in March. The AGCO has listed 25 licensed operators as of Friday morning. Some jurisdictions in the United States require sportsbooks to partner with brick-and-mortar casinos to conduct business in the state.
Operators that want to enter Ontario must enter a commercial agreement with iGaming Ontario before launching. Just like the sports betting industry in the United States, Ontario will take the same approach of pushing for responsible gaming.
Bringing a sports betting market to Ontario will signal that the end will hurt the daily fantasy market after FanDuel made its decision. Peter Schoenke, who is a Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association board member, stated in a press release that most DFS operators that are active in the province will leave with FanDuel.
FanDuel’s DFS platform will remain in other Canadian provinces as they don’t have to deal with this situation as of yet. Schoenke believes that other competitors will stay live in the other provinces. In Ontario, many operators are leaving due to the regulatory issues that revolve around the FSGA.
When Other Companies Could Launch in Ontario
Launching a sports betting market for the first time won’t be easy as issues could arise during the opening week. Also, some sportsbook operators are more prepared than others. For example, instead of launching its product and services on Monday, Unibet plans to be up and running by April 11th.
Patrick Eichner, senior director of communications, stated that PointsBet will be ready to go on Monday. Sports betting has been legal in Canada since 1985 but only through each province’s lottery system. Only betting in pari-mutuel gaming facilities was allowed.
