Sports bettors in Ontario have been awaiting significant changes to the online gaming industry within the province. Finally, as of Monday, April 4, 2022, Ontario is a legal and regulated sports betting market. Here’s what Ontario sports bettors need to know when it comes to comparing the new Canadian sportsbook apps to Proline.
Expanded legalization is a highly anticipated update to a system that needed to change. For too long, gamblers within Ontario had relied on one of two methods for placing wagers on sports contests.
The first option was to place bets through an off-shore “grey market operator.” Ontario residents who use these sportsbooks are not technically breaking any laws. The arrangement, however, falls into a grey area. That’s how the “grey market” got its name.
Some grey-market operators have solid reputations in Canada. A number of them have successfully applied for Ontario sports betting licenses. Several of these sportsbooks are located in the United Kingdom, where sports betting has been legal since 1960. But, without a regulatory body, sports bettors from Ontario had little recourse in the event of a dispute.
For most Ontario sports bettors, the best option was Proline.
New Sports Betting Apps in Canada
Here are three new betting site options available for sports bettors in Ontario as of Monday, April 4:
- BetMGM Ontario: Click to claim your welcome offer here
- Caesars Sportsbook Ontario: Use code TODAYCAN and register here
- BetRivers Ontario Sportsbook: Grab your welcome offer here
A Brief History Of Proline
Prior to the passing of the new sports betting bill in August of 2021, single-game wagering was not permitted in Canada. Proline was a lottery-type game offered by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLG) and allowed players to place a three-team-parlay on certain games. All three teams needed to win to be graded a winner.
Hitting a three-team parlay is difficult enough, but the payouts Proline offered on a winning ticket were well below the industry standard. Seasoned sports bettors tend to avoid three-team parlays, as the payout for hitting one (6-to-1 odds) is worse than the true odds of hitting one (8-to-1) assuming each individual leg is an even-money proposition.
The odds Proline offered on a winning three-team parlay? 5-to-1. Far from optimal for the sports betting customer.
Proline+, The New OLG Sportsbook
The new Proline+ sportsbook is a strong step in the right direction for Ontario bettors.
The new website is a solid upgrade to the paper slips once used at corner stores. The interface is user-friendly and offers a number of single-game wagers across several sports leagues. Canadian bettors looking to wager on popular Canadian leagues such as the NHL and CFL may be satisfied, as Proline+ offers betting odds on both leagues that are in line with competitors.
But …
Better Options For Ontario Bettors
When it comes to choosing a sportsbook in the emerging Ontario sports betting market, Proline+ falls well short of the competition for a number of reasons.
For starters, most providers in the region offer wagering on 30 different sports from around the world. Proline+ offers 12.
Of those 12 sports, Proline+ covers the four major North American leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) so bettors can place wagers on the most popular contests without issue. Most niche markets are unavailable.
Another disparity between Proline+ and its competitors? The number of betting options available per contest. Most sportsbooks offer in-game wagers, individual player props, a large number of alternate lines, and more. Proline+ does not offer the same variety of options.
More Reasons To Choose New Canadian Sportsbooks Over Proline+
Proline+ does not offer a mobile app. The new regulated books, like BetMGM, BetRivers, and Caesars, have mobile apps built for fantastic wagering experiences.
Also, bettors making large bets will be frustrated early and often. Proline+ has a reputation for capping bet sizes of winning players very quickly. It’s been reported that some players have had their maximum bets reduced to $10 per contest.
Finally, Proline+ offers one of the worst welcome packages in Ontario.
Best Sportsbooks For Ontario Bettors
The good news is there are PLENTY of options for Ontario bettors. There are over 15 sportsbooks and online casinos set to launch within the province in the coming days. Sports bettors will be able to shop around for the best sportsbook experience available to them. That includes some of North America’s fastest payout betting sites.
New players should seriously consider opening multiple sportsbook accounts in order to take advantage of the welcome offers available to them. Experienced bettors will be the first to tell you that limiting yourself to one sportsbook is leaving money on the table. Opening multiple accounts also allows a bettor to shop for the best odds for their picks.
For example, the introductory offers at BetRivers, BetMGM, and Caesars are some of the best in the business.
With so many new and regulated options within the province, it’s a great time to be a sports bettor in Ontario!
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