The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation recently announced plans to expand online and mobile sports betting. OLG spokesman Tony Bitonti said the Request for Proposals also would allow novelty betting and gambling on eSports. “In the last few years, eSports and betting on it, has surged in popularity. There are hundreds of eSports tournaments events held each year, many in Ontario.” He added the expansion may allow bettors to place live wagers during games, which OLG currently does not offer.
Novelty betting, Bitonti explained, “involves 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.”
Bitonti said it’s too soon to comment on what the final product will look like. But he noted with the expansion, Ontario would join Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba, which allow customers to make eSports and novelty bets.
“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. He added the online expansion coincides with OLG’s plan to replace and update retail lottery terminals across the province.
OLG officials did not comment on the cost of the online expansion, nor when it will be offered. An operator is expected to be selected by fall 2018.
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa said, “We’ve been looking at the modernization strategy. We’re looking at expanding and protecting consumer activity. The situation is that a lot of online gambling activity occurs that is unregulated and many people are exposed, especially young kids. In my capacity I have a duty of social responsibility here. I also have to ensure that we reinvest in things that will help people with addiction.”
Currently, online swaggerers in British Columbia and Manitoba can choose from dozens of novelty bets at those province’s online portals, with subjects ranging from when Donald Trump may be impeached to how much the upcoming Star Wars film will gross at the box office. In Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation recently launched an app for mobile devices that lets users access games and receive custom alerts.
