May 15, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
- DraftKings Ontario has paused Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in the province
- While DFS is unavailable, the DraftKings Sportsbook is launching soon in the Ontario sports betting market
- DraftKings says they will work with the provincial government to bring DFS back to Ontario
With their online sportsbook set to launch any day now, DraftKings Ontario has ceased their DFS operations in Canada’s most populous province.
In an official message to DFS players, DraftKings confirmed users in Ontario will be restricted from playing free and paid daily fantasy sports contests as of May 17 at 10am ET. While the operator has suggested they will work with the provincial government to bring DFS back, they will now turn their attention towards launching the DraftKings Sportsbook in Ontario.
Catch all the details on the loss of DraftKings DFS, along with details on when they’re expected to launch their highly-anticipated sportsbook in the Ontario sports betting market.
DraftKings Ontario Stops DFS Before Sports Betting Launch
Finalizing a move that was announced back in late March, DraftKings distributed a message confirming their DFS platform would no longer be operational in Ontario starting 10am ET on May 17. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) views DFS contests as a form of pay-to-play gambling, and as such, these contests are subject to the same rules and regulations as sports betting.
Two key issues are behind this decision:
- Ontario sports betting rules demand DFS players compete against others in the province exclusively
- Operators required to pay $100,000 in licensing fees every year and 20% of revenue to Ontario government
In their official message to players, DraftKings vowed to work with the provincial government to hopefully bring back DFS contests in the future. DraftKings DFS will continue to operate in eligible Canadian provinces and US states.
For now, Ontario sports bettors will just have to wait for the upcoming launch of the DraftKings Sportsbook.
DraftKings Sportsbook Coming Soon to Ontario
While DraftKings may be halting their DFS services in Ontario, their online sportsbook platform is expected to launch across the province in a matter of days or weeks.
DraftKings is now licensed as an operator in Ontario. https://t.co/PJO66v9U7J
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) May 16, 2022
The DraftKings Sportsbook received an Ontario sports betting license from the AGCO on Friday, May 13. Even though an official launch date has yet to be announced, the DraftKings Ontario sports betting site and mobile app will likely become available in a few days or a couple weeks at the most.
We’re staying up-to-date with all the latest information on a go-live time for the DraftKings Sportsbook in Ontario. Make sure you keep it locked in with Sports Betting Dime for everything you need to know about signing up with this world-class sportsbook when it finally becomes available.
Ontario Sports Betting Is Now Live
If you’re eagerly waiting for betting with the DraftKings Sportsbook to get underway in Ontario, there are multiple sportsbooks that are already live and accepting wagers.
Best Ontario Sports Betting Apps
Use the links in the table above to register with any one or more of these sportsbooks to see what they’re all about.
Betting responsibly on your favourite games is the best way to get closer to all the action. The loss of DraftKings DFS is obviously disappointing, but their pending sportsbook will be a perfect alternative while you wait for a potential return of DFS.
A sports fanatic and strategic wordsmith, Mitchell has been writing gaming content for over seven years. As sports betting emerges in markets across the globe, he’s ready to journey alongside those who haven’t wagered before with informative articles and comprehensive how-to guides.