Canada Legalizes Sports Betting – When Will You Be Able to Bet in Each Province? What’s Next?
- With the passing of Bill C-218 through the Senate June 22nd, single game sports betting is now legal in Canada
- The country now enters a waiting game as each province will have their own rollout
- See the latest news on your province and their plans for single game sports betting below!
With the senate’s approval of Bill C-218, amending Canada’s Criminal Code provisions that made online sports betting in Canada on individual games illegal, sports bettors are about to be in heaven.
Sponsored by Conservative party MP Kevin Waugh, this bill finally passes legislation legalizes single game betting after multiple failed prior attempts – the latest of which came in 2015 before the Federal election doomed the process.
Prior to the passing of this bill, Canadians were only legally allowed to bet on sports with parlay games through their provincial lottery system (Pro-Line in Ontario being the most recognizable). If they wanted to bet on single games, they were forced to wade into the offshore market.
Citizens will now await the provinces – who regulate gambling in Canada – to set up their own single game sports betting systems. These are likely to be through an existing provincial lottery system, outside operators (DraftKings, theScore, FanDuel) or a mix of both.
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Next Steps of Implementation for Sports Betting in Canada
Sports bettors will now await their province of residence to formulate plans on implementing and executing single game betting.
A number of them have already announced some kind of framework for their plans, which we’ll run through below. See estimated timelines and operators for each province below.
Provincial Timelines for Sports Betting Becoming Available
| Province | Operators | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | playalberta.com (AGLC) | Within Weeks of Legalization |
| British Columbia | playnow.com (BCLC) | Within Weeks of Legalization |
| Saskatchewan | TBD | TBD |
| Manitoba | TBD | TBD |
| Ontario | TBD (Both OLG and outside operators considered) | Late 2021 |
| Quebec | TBD | TBD |
| Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador | ALC | Within Weeks of Legalization |
| Yukon | TBD | TBD |
| Nunavut | TBD | TBD |
| Northwest Territories | TBD | TBD |
Alberta Single Game Sports Betting
The AGLC (Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis) plan to introduce a sports betting platform on their provincial site, playalberta.com. They have also announced that they will work with various industry stakeholders to offer single game sports betting at destination facilities throughout the province.
It is not yet known if they will allow outside operators to offer their product.
British Columbia Single Game Sports Betting
British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is taking an approach similar to Alberta, and will be offering single game wagering on their provincial site playnow.com
They have also indicated that they will look at expansion into land-based gaming sites as well as outside operators.
Ontario Single Game Sports Betting
Ontario has taken a different approach, and will likely be the first province that allows private operators into the space.
The Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario have had a portal open to industry stakeholders to discuss eligibility requirements since June 14th of this year.
With the iGaming industry set for a boom in Canada’s most populous province, look for the big players such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM to move into the province as quickly as possible.
It has yet to be determined how OLG will adapt to the new legislation at both their brick and mortar locations as well as their current online play options.
Atlantic Provinces Single Game Sports Betting
A coalition of the Maritime provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island as well as Newfoundland & Labrador have will all be following the moves of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
Indications are within a few weeks single game betting will be rolled out onto the ALC’s existing gaming site after receiving approval from regulatory agencies.
Which Sportsbooks Are Planning to Enter Canada?
Canadians are known for their passionate sports fandom, which will likely translate to a ton of action betting the NHL, NFL, NBA and more.
theScore has been leading the charge behind this bill, as the Toronto-based former television station and current media/betting company is all in on Canadian expansion.
MAJOR NEWS: The Senate has passed Bill #C218, which will legalize single event sports betting in Canada!
A historic moment for Canada.Our press release here: https://t.co/shDPTHwXlL
And our Statement from @scorecommish: pic.twitter.com/PNHXzOmTkL
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) June 22, 2021
BetMGM has recently announced its intention to expand into Canada, and with that announcement, you have to expect that both giants DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook will be eyeing similar moves as soon as possible.
Mitch graduated from Ryerson University's Sport Media program in June of 2018, and has been with SBD since 2019. He's worked in broadcast and digital for the Score, Sportsnet, TSN & CBC and has done play-by-play work for basketball at all levels including NCAA, Pan Am Games & U Sports.
