Is DraftKings Legal in Canada?

It started with daily fantasy sports and has grown into a sportsbetting giant. In this guide, we'll look at how DraftKings became legal in Canada and the timeline in which they have grown over the last decade. Scratching the surface of Canadian sports betting, it's clear that DraftKings Canada is here to stay.

Those wondering if DraftKings is available in Canada will be disappointed to learn that it’s only accessible in Ontario. DraftKings is not legal across the provinces and is only offered to those inside Ontario.

DraftKings officially launched in the province in 2022, paving the way for other provinces in the future to allow DraftKings to operate in other communities. With that being said, there is currently no word when other provinces will allow residents to sign up. The sportsbook is available through desktop or mobile app, as well as your phone's mobile site.

The DraftKings Casino is available to Ontario residents only. Similar to DraftKings sportsbook, users will need to physically be in Ontario to play on either the sportsbook or casino. This is applicable to the mobile app as well. We're still waiting on word from other provinces, and it appears to be a slow and steady process. DraftKings Canada only became legal in Ontario in 2022, and the partnership between the province and the company is still in its infancy. The province awarded the brand with their own DraftKings License, meaning they were fully legal and operable in Ontario.

Is DraftKings legal in Canada? Technically, yes. They are legal in Ontario, the sole province that allowed the brand in 2022. DraftKings is also legal in neighboring country United States, although it is not fully legal coast to coast. It is only legal in certain states. Reading this, you may wonder if DraftKings is safe to play on. The short answer is yes. They have some of the best security measures in the industry and are held to a high standard.

DraftKings originally launched its sportsbook in 2018 in the state of New Jersey. Since then, the daily fantasy sports powerhouse has become legal in other states like New York, Indiana and Iowa, to name a few. DraftKings is one of the most popular brands and for good reason. Their respect in the community makes them well researched by bettors.

Both U.S. states and Canadian provinces are looking to partner with DraftKings moving forward, although it's more likely currently that states in America will welcome DraftKings become more provinces allow it.

The table below indicates which provinces allow DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino. As you can see, only Ontario has a green checkmark. Other provinces (and DraftKings) are waiting for word to officially launch but at this moment of writing, only Ontario allows registration for both the casino and sportsbook.

Is DraftKings legal in Ontario?

DraftKings Canada became legal in Ontario in 2022. The process included applying for a license in the province, which was granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. With their approval, DraftKings Canada officially launched and became a legal entity in Ontario.

Initially launching as a baseball-oriented site in 2012, the DraftKings brand grew quickly and never looked back. Daily fantasy sports helped the brand reach new heights and in 2014, DraftKings announced millions in funding from different investors. That same year, DraftKings became the official daily fantasy sports service of the NHL. In the following years, DraftKings inked new deals with brands such as ESPN, the PGA, NBA and UFC.

Canadian sports bettors welcomed DraftKings in 2022 alongside other betting sites. The brand officially launched that year in Ontario, quickly become a top pick for online sports bettors.

Known as the most prominent daily fantasy sports brand in the industry, users wanting to bet on sports will be guided toward DraftKings. They have established themselves as the DFS kings, with millions of users playing each month.

Is DraftKings Legit?

Those wondering if DraftKings is legit will be happy to know they are one of the most trusted brands in the business. DraftKings launched in 2012 and quickly became one of the biggest sites in sports gambling. DraftKings sponsors some of the top leagues in the world, including the NFL and WWE. Many users have enjoyed their time with DraftKings. The DK brand has provided a friendly service for over a decade and continues to expand in the sports betting world.

We know DraftKing is legit, but is DraftKings safe? The good news is that DraftKings prides itself on the safety of their sportsbook and online casino. They wouldn’t have stuck around for so long if they weren’t considered safe! DraftKings has implement tons of player safety features, like 2FA and encryption to protect user data.

2012 - The Launch: It all starts with an idea. We wouldn't be writing about DraftKings if Jason Robins, Matthew Kalish and Paul Liberman didn't launch DraftKings back in 2012. The company originally started as a one-on-one baseball competition and the rest is history. 

2013 - MLB x DraftKings: Keeping close to their roots, in April of 2013 Major League Baseball invested in DraftKings. They became the first professional sports organization (in the US) to invest in daily fantasy sports. Although the initial investment was not disclosed, the partnership between Major League Baseball and DraftKings helped open the door to other professional sports partnering with the company. It also helped DraftKings gain even more attention and investments from companies in the United States.

2014 - Investments Galore: DraftKings had no issue gaining interest from investors. 2014 saw the money come in, with $41 million in funding from a variety of investors. One notable investor was The Raine Group, a company that also invested in music platforms like Soundcloud. 2014 proved to be a huge year for DraftKings, as they also reached a deal with the National Hockey League. Not done there, the company reported 50,000 daily users making them one of the largest betting sites in North America.

2015 - DraftKings Reaches New Agreements: On top of additional funding from Fox Sports, Kraft Group and Wellington Management, 2015 saw DraftKings enter an advertising deal with ESPN. They would also go on to reach an official deal with Major League Baseball, similar to the one they had already made with the NHL. 2015 also saw the company be granted a license by the Gambling Commission to offer services in the United Kingdom.

Risky Business: It had all been rainbows and butterflies but in 2016, ESPN backed out of its deal with DraftKings due to legal uncertainties. Also, DraftKings and FanDuel attempted to merge but the FTC would look to block the merger, stating that it would be considered a monopoly position. The merger was officially called off in 2017. Still, you can breathe easy knowing that the DraftKings license means they are safe and legal in Canada.

2018 - the Launch of a Sportsbook: Many people know DraftKings thanks to its sportsbook, but that happened relatively late into their history. No longer were DraftKings the place for daily fantasy sports. In May of 2018, states were allowed to legalize sports betting. In August, DraftKings launched its first legal sportsbook in New Jersey. Since then, the company has opened more operations in seven different states. In the future, DraftKings would look to launch north of the border.

2020 - MJ Invests in DraftKings: Not only did the GOAT invest in DraftKings but Michael Jordan also became a special board adviser. When MJ originally joined the DraftKings family, shares jumped in midday trading. 2020 was also the year that DraftKings became a publicly traded company. Listed as "DKNG", the company shares started trading on the Nasdaq.

2022 - DraftKings Becomes Legal in Ontario: This is a marquee event for Canadian sports bettors. In 2022, Ontario officially opened its doors to DraftKings. While no other province has joined Ontario in allowing DraftKings to operate, this move opened the doors for future relationships.

If you're a resident in Ontario and want to begin playing on DraftKings mobile app or register with their site for the sportsbook and casino, the steps are fairly simple. To begin betting with DraftKings, follow these instructions! 

The first phase will include: 

• Entering your e-mail
• Providing your phone number and password
• Creating a username
• Confirming your account details through text message.
• Accepting the terms and conditions. 

After phase one is complete, you will need to add the following details:

• Provide your first and last name
• Enter your date of birth
• Provide your home address
• Enter your City, Province and Postal Code

With your identity confirmed, you will then be able to deposit money into your account. This will allow you to play with the sportsbook, casino or daily fantasy sports!

Once your account is funded, you can participate in ' different offerings. Their two biggest offerings for Canadian sports bettors are the sportsbook and daily fantasy sports. DraftKings multiple DFS options. Below, you can see the start of what DraftKings offers. All major sports will have daily fantasy sports available, meaning you never need to miss out!

The sportsbook is another valuable asset to DraftKings. The brand has 20+ sports options with hundreds of leagues and divisions. There is something for everyone when you register for DraftKings. Once you place a wager, it will show up in the betslip. Accessed on the right-hand side, some popular wagers include single-game bets and parlays!

Even if you're new to sportsbetting, DraftKings makes it simple for bettors to enjoy. Whether you're playing on desktop or with the betting app, DraftKings has everything laid out perfectly! 

Now, follow these steps and begin betting. Hopefully your next wager helps you win big!