Online horse race betting expands province-wide in Ontario, with OLG and Woodbine joining forces for a new venture.
In a groundbreaking move, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) have joined forces to modernize and expand online horse race betting in Ontario. This partnership will see WEG's pari-mutuel wagering product, powered by HPIbet, integrated into OLG's digital platforms (OLG.ca and the OLG app).
The collaboration is set to launch in time for the King's Plate event, Canada's oldest horse race and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. This integration will enable players to bet on live races, both locally and worldwide, including prominent Ontario events like The King's Plate.
The partnership promises several key impacts and future implications:
- Increased Accessibility and Convenience: Horse race betting becomes more accessible to a wider audience via OLG’s trusted website and mobile app, providing a streamlined, user-friendly experience through a "plug-and-play" integration that enhances bettor engagement.
- Support for Ontario’s Horse Racing Industry: The partnership directs more revenue and interest back into the province’s horse racing sector, which supports approximately 23,000 full-time equivalent jobs. OLG and WEG emphasize a sustainable, competitive industry development through this digital expansion.
- First Provincial Lottery Offering Digital Horse Betting: OLG is the first Canadian provincial lottery and gaming agency to offer horse race betting digitally, setting a precedent that other operators in Ontario could follow given the scalable nature of the integrated platform.
- Legal and Responsible Betting Framework: All bets are placed under Canada’s legal pari-mutuel wagering system, avoiding prohibited fixed-odds bets, and the rollout includes tools for responsible gambling and player safety on OLG’s platforms.
- Potential Market Growth: With over 50 licensed operators and 80+ platforms already in Ontario’s broader sports betting market, this partnership may catalyze further growth in horse racing’s share of digital gambling, offering new revenue and engagement opportunities.
Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, stated that the launch is another step forward for the growth of horse racing in Ontario. This partnership marks Woodbine Entertainment's second major online betting partnership, following its provision of pari-mutuel wagering services to bet365, integrating horse race betting into the sportsbook's Ontario platform since 2023.
It's important to note that OLG currently offers the only legal horse race betting in the province. However, the scalable nature of this integrated platform could potentially expand the reach of online pari-mutuel wagering across Ontario, with other gaming operators considering adopting the system in the future.
[1] Woodbine Entertainment and OLG partner to modernize online horse race betting in Ontario [2] OLG and Woodbine Entertainment Group announce partnership to modernize online horse racing [3] Woodbine and OLG partner to modernize online horse racing [4] OLG and Woodbine Entertainment Group partnership to modernize online horse racing [5] OLG and Woodbine Entertainment Group join forces to modernize online horse racing
[1] This partnership between Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation will modernize horse race betting in Ontario, making it possible for players to bet on live races, including Ontario events like The King's Plate.
[2] As part of this collaboration, Woodbine Entertainment's horse racing product, powered by HPIbet, will be integrated into OLG's digital platforms, offering a streamlined, user-friendly experience and increased accessibility.
