DraftKings’ entry into Canada with our online sportsbook & online casino products is a significant milestone in our expansion efforts as we reach nearly 40% of Canada’s total population
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was Ontario’s online poker, casino gaming, and sports betting market.
But 44 days after the official launch of the latter, DraftKings — which recognized months ago that it would be at a disadvantage in attracting customers to rivals that have been active in the province’s gray market for years — officially jumped into the province on Wednesday with a launch of its online casino and sports betting products.
“DraftKings’ entry into Canada with our online sportsbook and online casino products is a significant milestone in our expansion efforts as we reach nearly 40% of Canada’s total population,” said CEO Jason Robins. “We look forward to providing the passionate fanbase in Ontario with the most entertaining and responsible gaming experience possible.”
Rivals 888, BetMGM, BetRivers, and FanDuel were among the first to launch in the province on the market’s opening day, April 4.
CFO’s Prediction for a May Launch Rings True
The Boston-based operator launched after becoming licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and executing an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO). The AGCO issued a two-year license for DraftKings’ branded gaming site and mobile app last Friday.
During the operator’s Q1 2022 earnings call on May 6, CFO David Park hinted that DraftKings would launch in Ontario before the end of May.
Online Casino and Sportsbook Offerings
DraftKings Casino Ontario had more than 100 slot titles on offer following its launch Wednesday. Many of the titles were developed by IGT and NetEnt, two companies that have taken the lead in managing DraftKings’ slot section. Some of the titles on offer include:
- Cleopatra II
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
- Kitty Glitter
- Piggy Riches Megaways
- Starburst
- Wolf Run
DraftKings’ online casino also features a live dealer section that includes blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, plus several house-banked poker variations and game show-inspired titles. The casino platform also has video poker variations on offer.
The selection of online casino games in Ontario is a bit more limited than what DraftKings offers in other markets in the US. That is likely due to some gaming developers waiting for their games to win licensing from provincial regulators.
Ontarians also gained access to DraftKings’ online sportsbook, one of the more popular sports betting platforms in the US.
One feature that could help DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario stand out from the competition is a new feature called Stats Hub. It includes useful information for sports bettors, including details on featured games, parlay bets, player props, polls, and line moves.
With Its Late Start, DraftKings Has Work To Do
The challenge for DraftKings now is to attract customers and build its market share.
One month after the market launched, data from the website SensorTower showed the bet365 app was among the most popular downloads for online casino gaming and sports betting. Toronto-based theScore Bet was another popular download for sports wagering.
Two other sportsbook apps that saw large numbers of downloads in the opening month were Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook, according to SensorTower.
