Seven Ontario sportsbooks currently offering action on the next Canadian federal election
That’s down from the 16 sportsbooks that offered markets on the U.S. election, but it’s still early considering we don't yet have a date Canadians will go to the polls.
As we wrote previously in our Canadian Content newsletter, 16 Ontario sportsbooks legally took bets on the U.S. Presidential election.
This is in sharp contrast to U.S. sportsbooks which don’t offer markets on elections. In fact, there was much handwringing south of the border over election betting in the Presidential contest when Robinhood and Kalshi offered some markets on the Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris tilt.
Given severe turbulence in Canadian federal politics of late — thanks to the promised resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the prorogation of Parliament and, mostly especially, a looming election — Covers’ Senior News Analyst Geoff Zochodne wrote this week about how very few Ontario sportsbook operators are offering action on Canadian federal politics as of Tuesday.
The number of operators taking bets on the next Canadian federal election was ticking up slightly as of Thursday morning.
We looked at the same 16 Ontario sportsbooks that took action on the U.S. Presidential election and found seven of them — bet365, BetMGM, BetVictor, FanDuel, Fitzdares, PartySports and Sports Interaction — were offering at least one market on the yet-to-be-announced national election that, by law, must happen before the end of October.
Four other operators — Betano, Caesars, DraftKings and theScore BET — offer bets on elections in other countries, but not Canada. That may indicate markets on Canadian elections will come to those platforms closer to election time, but maybe not.
So far, FanDuel leads the way with four markets on Canadian federal politics:
• The day the election will be held (Spring (March – May 2025) is the current favourite at -290).
• The next permanent Liberal party leader (Mark Carney leads a field of 11 at -105).
• The winner of the next federal election (Conservatives leading at -4000).
• Which party will be the official opposition (Bloc Québécois leading at -195).
So far, the Ontario Lottery Corporation’s Proline+ is sitting out the Canadian federal election, despite taking bets on the U.S. Presidential one. That’s likely wise given they are a branch of the Ontario government. But, otherwise, I don’t understand the angst over private operators offering election markets — even for elections in the same country where the sportsbooks are taking those bets.
Obviously, this is a personal take on which not everyone agrees, but why would you not be able to bet on something that, to our knowledge, is not manipulated? Please spare me your conspiracy theories.
I understand not wanting to take bets on, say, the length of the national anthem sung at the Super Bowl. That certainly can be manipulated. And, yet, Ontario sportsbooks have offered that market in the past, as well, usually with caps on how much could be wagered on it.
Sure, some political insiders may have access to more information, but that’s usually polling data. We all know polling data has become less reliable. Also, there are insiders in sports, too. Why not just ban those running for office (and their election teams) from betting?
After all, election betting clearly is popular.
Your thoughts on the matter are welcome.
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One more federal gambling bill is likely dead
On Wednesday, Gaming News Canada reported that Parliament being prorogued until March 24 in all likelihood means the death of Senator Marty Deacon’s bill placing restrictions on gambling ads.
But, as Zochodne reported, prorogation also likely means the death of bill S-268, which has yet to receive Royal Assent and become law.
Zochodne wrote, “S-268 would amend Canada's Criminal Code to make it clear that the governing body of a First Nation can ‘conduct and manage’ gambling operations on its reserve.”
As Senator Brent Cotter said, “This would extend this gaming jurisdiction to any First Nation that wishes to take up the opportunity.”
There is a slim chance one or both bills could still become law when Parliament returns to business, if a motion to do so is agreed upon by the Members of Parliament. But that’s extremely unlikely given the huge priority to respond to President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to slap tariffs of 25% on Canadian goods and a looming election triggered by opposition parties saying they will no longer prop up the minority Liberal government — regardless of who is leading the Liberals post-Justin Trudeau.
Sportradar’s Patrick Mostboeck on the Gaming News Canada Show
The latest Gaming News Canada Show, presented by GBG, features Patrick Mostboeck, Sportradar’s senior vice-president of fan engagement.
You can listen to the show here via your preferred podcast app or watch it here:
Topics covered by Mostboeck and GNCS host Steve McAllister included:
The ongoing growth of Sportradar.
Sportradar’s exclusive data partnership with the NBA.
The company’s evolving support of legal sportsbook operators in North America.
Sportradar’s partnerships with the NHL, NASCAR and men’s professional tennis.
Worth A Watch & Listen
Our most popular Gaming News Canada shows from the past few months.
2025: The year ahead in Canadian sport business, sports media and sports betting 🎙️ 🎥
Ellen Hyslop on The GIST of sport in the world of women 🎙️ 🎥
DFS and online poker has its day(s) in the Court of Appeal for Ontario 🎙️ 🎥
Grand Slam of Curling gets together with ALT Sports Data on sports betting deal, and more 🎙️ 🎥
Three gambling names make The Hockey News Money & Power Top 100
This week, The Hockey News released its annual Top 100 People of Power and Influence in Hockey list for 2025 and three gambling names made the cut.
Amy Howe, the CEO of FanDuel, was #48, just one notch ahead of DraftKings CEO Jason Robins. MGM Resorts International president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle was #55.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt was #46 on the 2024 list. He did not make the top 100 for 2025.
In 2024, Hornbuckle was #42, Robins was #50 and Howe was #51.
For the hockey pucks among our loyal subscribers, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is once again the list’s top dog with NHLPA head honcho Marty Walsh at numero deux and NHL deputy commish Bill Daly in the three hole.
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