Ontario’s Gambling Agency Seeking to Expand Online and Mobile Betting

According to a report by the National Post, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is searching for a company to help expand its online and mobile sports betting capacity. The publication notes that the gambling agency’s request for proposals also opens the door for other types of gambling, like novelty betting and gambling on eSports, such as video game competitions.

OLG

Tony Bitonti, a spokesperson for OLG, said that a number of other jurisdictions also allow customers to make eSports and novelty bets, although its too early to say what the final product will look like. “In the last few years, eSports and betting on it has surged in popularity,” Bitonti said. He added that the expansion, which is largely focused on sports betting, will also allow people to place live bets during games, something currently unavailable through OLG. 

“Novelty betting is placing a bet on an outcome that’s not part of a sports or athletic event. For example, the winner of an election or the gender of a baby about to be born to royalty,” he added.

“OLG sports offering will include new products that will provide more betting options on a wider variety of events, including all major North American sports leagues and major international sports,” Bitonti said, noting that the online expansion coincides with OLG’s plan to replace and update retail lottery terminals across the province.

The expansion would see Ontario join four other Canadian jurisdictions which currently have online sports, eSports and novelty betting, i.e. Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba.

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