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DraftKings Gets iGaming and Sports Betting License to Launch in Ontario

Robert Linnehan

by Robert Linnehan in Sports Betting News

Updated May 20, 2022 · 12:18 PM PDT

Vladimir Guerrero Jr iso at the plate
Apr 27, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) requests a call from the first base umpire during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
  • DraftKings received an Ontario iGaming license from the AGCO on May 13
  • The province has awarded 36 licenses so far to various sportsbooks
  • CEO Jason Robins previously said the sportsbook would launch in Q2 2022 in Ontario

DraftKings can now officially operate in Canada, and Ontario sports betting enthusiasts don’t have to wait any longer for the sportsbook’s launch.

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) awarded DraftKings an iGaming license on Friday, May 13. The license will be active for two years and is set to expire on May 13, 2024. It’s the 36th license to be awarded by the commission so far.

DraftKings Ontario joins the likes of Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, theScore, Betway, and PointsBet as operational in Canada.

DraftKings Ontario launched their sportsbook on May 18 after the sports betting site noted in its Q1 earnings report that it expects to launch in the second quarter of 2022. Combined with the acquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming, DraftKings expects an additional $130 million to $150 million in revenue and negative $50 million to negative $70 million in Adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year 2022, according to a press release.

DraftKings Ontario Officially Pulls Plug on DFS

With the issuing of its new license, DraftKings announced over the weekend it would soon be pulling its daily fantasy sports contests (free and paid) before sports betting is launched.

It sent out a notice to players over the weekend informing them that the change would be coming soon.

The company announced it would be pulling its DFS operations from Ontario in early April, but has continued to operate until now.

Neither DraftKings or FanDuel offer DFS in the province.

Ontario Sports Betting

Ontario launched single-game regulated online sports betting on April 4. While single-game retail sports betting has been allowed in the country since August 2021, this is the first time regulated, private online sportsbooks have been able to accept single-game bets.

Online sports betting handle figures for the province and its licensed operators have yet to be made public.

Ontario has always been the most desirable province to allow single-game online sports betting. It’s the highest populated province in Canada, with 13.4 million residents according to the 2016 Canadian Census, and was always expected to be the focus for sportsbook companies to kick off regulated online sports betting in the country.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) oversees single-game sports betting in the province and has so far issued 36 iGaming licenses.

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