As we bring FanDuel to Ontario, we want to collaborate with globally recognized enterprises like MLSE to bring unique content experiences to some of Canada’s most dedicated sports fans.
FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario is now live and taking sports bets from players within the province for the first time.
Having only just launched, it is clear that FanDuel has its eyes squarely on capturing the attention of Canadian players and will be active in getting its brand out to the masses.
FanDuel’s sibling sites — PokerStars and the brand’s casino site, Stars Casino — are also on their way to launching in Ontario, but have been delayed as they await final approval and successful registration by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and execution of an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.
As part of its new Canadian enterprise, it was announced just last week that FanDuel’s parent company Flutter Entertainment had inked a deal with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), making FanDuel Sportsbook their official sports betting partner.
For those unfamiliar with the MLSE, it is the parent company for some of the most beloved sports teams in Canada, including:
- The NHLs Toronto Maple Leafs
- The NBA’s Toronto Raptors
- Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC
- The Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts
Dale Hooper, General Manager for FanDuel Canada made the brand’s intent clear by saying: “As we bring FanDuel to Ontario, we want to collaborate with globally recognized enterprises like MLSE to bring unique content experiences to some of Canada’s most dedicated sports fans.”
As the Online Gaming markets open in Ontario, we have worked hard to find partners who aligned with both our vision for innovation and our values including a shared commitment to responsible gaming
The partnership will see combined marketing and advertising efforts of FanDuel and MLSE to target sports fans in Ontario and get them to place wagers on the FanDuel Sportsbook site. In addition, brand logos will appear prominently at Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors games including the rink board and on-court signage.
When Ontario’s regulated online poker, casino, and sports betting market went live last week, 13 sportsbooks literally appeared overnight. Sports fans in the province now have 24/7 access to more legal sports betting options than ever before. But with more wagering comes more social responsibility to create a safe and controlled environment in which players can bet.
“We are thrilled to partner with Flutter Entertainment, a global leader and one of the most trusted operators in the sports betting industry,” said Jordan Vader, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, MLSE via press release. “As the Online Gaming markets open in Ontario, we have worked hard to find partners who aligned with both our vision for innovation and our values including a shared commitment to responsible gaming. We look forward to working with Flutter and providing a platform for them to engage with the millions of 19+ Ontario residents who are fans of our teams.”
As such, we take a closer look into the responsible gambling tools available at FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario
Responsible Gaming Tools at FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario
FanDuel has a comprehensive suite of tools baked into the sportsbook, allowing players to control how much time and money they spend on the site. There are 8 tools designed to help players gamble responsibly, including tools such as deposit limits, times outs, and wager limits.
All of the responsible gambling tools at Fanduel Sportsbook Ontario can be used individually or together as part of a custom approach, whatever works best for you.
Deposit Limits
Players can set a Deposit Limit when they register or at any other time whilst logged into the site. This allows them to manage how much money they are able to deposit in a certain period of time. The player will set a time period and dollar amount and once that limit has been reached, they will automatically be blocked from depositing any more money onto the site until the time period ends. For instance, if the deposit limit is set at $10 per week, once that deposit is placed, the player will have to wait until that week ends and the new week begins before depositing more.
Wager Limits
Like deposit limits, a Wager Limit can be set to limit the number of wagers a player can place at any one time. Once the time and the dollar amount are hit, the player will be stopped from being able to place any more wagers until the prescribed time period has passed.
Time Limits
Just like deposit and wager limits help you budget your money, Time Limits help you budget your time, allowing players to set a maximum amount of time they can spend on the FanDuel site or sportsbook app. Once the pre-selected time limit is hit, the player will not be able to play on the app or log in via computer until the time period has reset.
Maximum Bet Limits
This allows a player to set a limit on the amount of money the player can spend per bet. Setting a maximum bet limit can stop a player from chasing their losses — a form of problem gambling behavior.
Loss Limits
Similar to the tools above, a Loss Limit is determined by time and money. A player can set a maximum amount they are prepared to lose within a certain period of time. Once that threshold is hit, the player will not be able to continue playing on the site or app until the time period has passed. For example, if a loss limit is set at $50 per week, once the player has lost that amount within the week — they will have to wait until the following week before being able to wager again on the site.
Time-Outs
A Time-Out allows a player to take a break from the action — by effectively asking the site to block them from being able to log in, deposit, or wager within the time period stated. When you set up your time-out, you can decide how long of a break you need — anywhere between 3 and 365 days. FanDuel will lock the account until after the time period has passed and the time-out has ended.
For those looking to take a more extended break and step away for a year or longer, self-exclusion will allow you to do that.
Self-Exclusion
Self-Exclusion is a more robust way of requesting that the sportsbook bans a player from being able to log in to its services for an extended period of time. Self-exclusion can last between 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime. During that period,, a player will not be approached by the sportsbook with any ads or enticements to place bets. Once a player has self-excluded, no amount of badgering the site will get them to unblock your account and allow access. The time period must fully pass in order for a player’s account to be reinstated.
Those looking to self-exclude can do so directly on the FanDuel website.
Reality-Check
FanDuel offers a Reality-Check service to help players gamble within their means. This responsible gaming tool gives players the option to set up notifications — at a frequency of their choosing — informing them of how much time they and money have spent logged in and playing. This way, a player can keep track of how much money they have spent and how much time they have spent on the site. This is great for bringing a player down to earth and it is all too easy to get swept up in the action and lose track of time and money.
More Responsible Gambling Tools At FanDuel Ontario
In addition to all of the main responsible gaming tools outlined above, FanDuel also provides:
- Set Parental Controls: This way, only players19 and over can access FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario — which is the legal gambling age in the province. Parental tools are important if the computer or mobile device they are using is shared amongst the family.
- Problem Gambling Resources: FanDuel links out to great resources to help those struggling with problem gambling behaviors, such as the Responsible Gambling Council and the International Center for Responsible Gaming.
- Easily Close Your Account: A quick link to closing a FanDuel account.
- Suicide Prevention: In serious cases, problem gambling can lead to such trauma that a player may consider taking their own life. FanDuel links out to The Crisis Services Canada — which is a national network of existing distress, crisis, and suicide prevention helplines. The hotline is free and offers confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Players can call 1-833-456-4566 at any time.
FanDuel also provides resources to educate and assist players with gambling within their means. This includes information on:
- Practical tips to stay within safe limits
- Myths associated with gambling
- Information regarding the risks associated with gambling
- The potential signs of a gambling problem
