Ontario Online Sports Betting Goes Live With Ad Limitations

• Online sports betting is live in Ontario with several sportsbooks now accepting bets.
• Sportsbooks will not be allowed to advertise risk-free bets in Ontario like they do in the US

ONTARIO – Residents of Ontario were treated to the launch of a regulated online sports betting market via two private sportsbook operators today.

Two well-known operators Caesars Sportsbooks Canada and Bet365 Canada began taking single-game online sports wagers on Monday.

Rivalry Corp. also launched their online legal sports betting services in Ontario and unlike many of the other sportsbooks offering wagering in Canada, Rivalry’s headquarters are actually located in Ontario.

“We do things differently at Rivalry. We are aiming to be the sportsbook for the next generation through engaging content and innovative experiences that entertain and create loyal fans of Rivalry who come back for more,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “To launch in our home market feels like a dream come true, and a very significant milestone in our creation of a leading global brand.”

Before a sportsbook can begin accepting bets they must be approved by the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario,) and have a commercial agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Sportsbooks With AGCO Approval:

• 888
• bet365
• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• bwin
• Caesars
• Coolbet
• FanDuel
• PointsBet
• Rivalry
• theScore Bet
• Unibet

Advertising Limitations

Although online Canada sports betting is now open to the public of Ontario, sportsbooks won’t be allowed to advertise risk-free bets that very heavily like they do in the US.

“Ontario is … very conscious of that aggressive amount of spend and promotion that has happened south of the border, and they don’t want that,” said Aubrey Levy, senior vice president of marketing and content for theScore. “So if you’re going to talk to consumers, you’re going to have to do it in a much more brand-centric way. You’re going to have to resonate beyond just throwing promotions at users all across television, which I think level sets the playing field for brands that have an affinity and connection to fans.”

News tags: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario | bet365 | Caesars Sportsbooks | Canada | iGaming Ontario | Ontario | Rivalry Corp. | Steven Salz