FanDuel Ontario Online Sportsbook Review 2022

Ever since the national government effectively legalized single-game sports betting in the summer of 2021, Ontario sports betting fans have been eagerly awaiting the launch of legal sportsbooks.

Nowhere more so than in Ontario, which has been most progressive in forging ahead with the creation of a busy marketplace for licensed operators. FanDuel is one of the biggest and most successful brands in the USA and it is due to begin offering a sports betting product in the province very soon.

Previously known as one of the leading Daily Fantasy Sports operators in the USA, FanDuel pivoted swiftly in 2018 to begin offering sports betting. It is now one of the pre-eminent sportsbook operators in the USA and is poised to deliver an outstanding service to the Canadian market.

It is easy to make the argument that anyone who opens a FanDuel account has access to just about the best sports betting experience in the industry.

FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extensive range of sports and markets 
• Excellent, fast user experience 
• Several customer support options 
• Ultra-competitive odds

Cons:

• Wager history difficult to navigate
• No specific sportsbook VIP scheme
• No telephone customer support option

FanDuel Sportsbook: Overview

Given the scale of FanDuel's operation and the size of its reputation, it is easy to forget what a young company this is. FanDuel was founded in 2009 and moved swiftly and smartly to become, along with DraftKings, one of the two leading Daily Fantasy Sports operators in the USA.

That gave FanDuel a great advantage in terms of familiarity to sports betting fans when the US Supreme Court declared PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) unconstitutional in 2018. The impact of that decision was effectively to legalize sports betting in any state that wished to.

Thanks partly to its merger with Paddy Power, a hugely successful challenger brand in the UK and Irish market over the previous two decades, FanDuel had the knowledge and heft to create an outstanding sports betting brand. It is now licensed in 12 US states and is regarded as one of the leaders in the online sportsbook space there.

In the summer of 2021, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act was passed by Canadian legislators. This act passed with the support of the Canadian Gaming Association, the gaming trade body in the country, legalized single-game betting.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario immediately created iGaming Ontario to oversee the Ontario market in the new era of single-event sports betting. While other provinces from coast to coast, from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island, have offered more limited provisions, using provincial lotteries to offer single-game wagering, Ontario has invited in the big guns.

In this context, they do not come much bigger than FanDuel, with its proven track record for excellence. Unlike offshore sportsbook operators, it is fully licensed and legal - and ready to offer some of the best sports betting in Canada very shortly.

Features of the FanDuel Ontario Sportsbook

Once you have signed up with an online sportsbook, you want your sports betting experience to be as enjoyable as possible while you place bets and wait for the outcome. In recent years, sportsbook apps and websites have ramped up the range and quality of features available in an attempt to gain an edge in the perennial battle to attract and retain customers.

As a result, now that Canada sports betting is no longer restricted to single-game betting - with the only alternative being to visit offshore sportsbooks - enthusiasts can look forward to a host of extra features. Each of these adds value and convenience to the Ontario sports betting experience.

Live Sports Streaming

One of the most attractive options incorporated by many online sportsbooks is the opportunity to watch what happens to your wager once your money is down. FanDuel is at the forefront of this development in the North American space and offers live streaming from several sports. Check out the "Watch now" option on the "Live now" tab and you'll find a generous choice of streamed events both on the website and the FanDuel sportsbook app.

Live Sports Wagering

Massive advances in digital technology in recent years have empowered sports betting operators to update their odds instantaneously. That means betting can continue during a match - you no longer have to stop wagering just because the action has started. Check out the generous range of live markets available at the very top of the left-hand navigation column on the website home page and the FanDuel app.

Early Bet Cash Outs

Another innovation heralded by the advent of in-play betting is the ability to close a bet down before the event in question has finished. You may wish to cut your losses when it is clear your selection is not going to win; alternatively, you may want to walk away with a profit and cut out the risk of a nasty late twist in fortune. Check your live bets and, if cash out is available, you will be offered a figure in return for closing the action.

Same Game Parlays

Under the new sports betting regulations in Canada, single-game sports betting is permitted - but so are parlays. And these days you can place a multiple bet on a range of outcomes within a single match. You should find the "Same game parlay" option on the top navigation bar that allows you to build a bet to increase your involvement greatly in a particular event.

Frequency of Odds Boosts

The only word to describe this is "high". You are never very far from an odds boost with FanDuel. Sometimes it relates to the outcome of a single game. At other times, it's a boost to a particular parlay. You can even make your first bet an odds boost if you prefer. Across sports and markets, there are plenty of options to win bigger returns than expected.

FanDuel Sportsbook Mobile App 

The FanDuel sportsbook app has been available in its US territories for some time. It is available both at the Apple App store for iOS device users and the Google Play Store for Android owners. It is worth checking before downloading that your device is using the most recent software.

The FanDuel app is packed with all the same features as the website version and scores extremely well with users for its speed, design and navigability. Please note that there is a separate app for casino gaming. That adds to switching time for those who like both sports betting and online casinos, but it cuts down on the storage space required for each app.

How Fanduel Compares to Ontario Sportsbooks

Ever since the law known as C-218 removed the ban on single game sports betting from Canada's criminal code, some serious names in the gambling world have been limbering up for action. With FanDuel legal, alongside a range of other big brands, a battle for supremacy as intense as any athletic contest is in prospect. It is worth emphasizing that these are all quality operators who leave unregulated sportsbooks and offshore sites well behind in their slipstream.

FanDuel vs. BetMGM Ontario

BetMGM is another operator that has worked hard and smart to claim a place at the forefront of the US online sportsbook space in the last three or four years. Both sites and apps are well designed, clean and clear - in the end, the choice will come down to your personal taste for the look and feel of the interface.

FanDuel vs. DraftKings Ontario

This is a rematch between two old rivals, veterans of many battles for DFS supremacy in the USA. Now they go toe-to-toe in the sportsbook arena - and there is little to choose between them. The differences are fractional; DraftKings allows a lower initial deposit, for instance, and has a separate sportsbook rewards program. The feud will rage a little while longer...

FanDuel vs. Bet365 Ontario

bet365 is one of the very biggest gambling brands in the world. It comes to the Ontario sports betting space with extensive experience of delivering a variety of international sports markets. FanDuel may edge this one in terms of local knowledge and familiarity with North American sports, but again this showdown is almost too close to call.

Sports Betting Markets with FanDuel Ontario 

As you might expect from one of the new names getting set to offer sports betting in Canada following the significant change to the nation's criminal code, the FanDuel offering is broad and deep.

On all fixtures in the major sports leagues, for instance, you should see a range of markets including:

• Gamelines
• Same Game Parlays
• Player Props
• Team Props
• Period Scores
• Margin of victory
• Moneyline
• Spreads

If you are a fan of horse racing, you will find a range of ways to bet on any race, including:

• Win/Place/Show
• Exacta
• Trifecta
• Superfecta
• Superhighfive

All fans of sports betting in Canada will have their own favorite sports, of course. If you are a follower of horse racing, international sports or the NCAA, including college football, you will find plenty to entertain you here.

But the FanDuel sportsbook gives particular prominence to the Big Four. There are extensive markets on the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and, of course, hockey. We can expect stratospheric levels of interest in NHL matches involving the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It has to be said that this offering is on a different level to anything produced by the Ontario lottery - or indeed, other provincial lotteries. It will be fascinating to see if other provinces such as British Columbia and Alberta throw their doors open to a fully licensed market in the near future. Indeed, British Columbia has already been tipped as the likely next target for FanDuel.

Types of Bets Available with FanDuel

Whether you are a newcomer to Canada sports betting, or well versed in the ways of wagering, you will find plenty of ways to get involved in your favorite action. Some of the most popular bets among casual and serious bettors are as follows:

Moneyline

This is the simplest, most basic way of betting on a sports match. Which of the two sides do you think will win? The favorite's odds will be shown with a minus sign; the number is the amount you need to stake to win.

Spread Bets

In a spread bet, the sportsbook sets a notional handicap for the perceived underdog, effectively giving them a start of a certain number of points or goals. Both sides can then be priced at -110. So in an NFL match, for instance, the Kansas City Chiefs are shown as -3 and the Los Angeles Chargers +3. If the Chiefs, the favorites, win by four points or more, they are said to have covered the spread and any bet on them to do so is a winner.

Parlay Bets

Until the decision was taken to legalize sports betting on single game outcomes in 2021, parlay wagering was the only form allowed in Canada. To strike a parlay, you need to select several outcomes - usually of different games, but more recently within a single event too. Your winnings can be substantial - but you need all your selections to be correct to collect.

Total Lines

These are also known as over-under bets. The sportsbook sets a number - maybe for the total of points scored by both teams in a match - and invites you to choose whether you think there will be more than fewer. The odds are usually -110 each side. So if, in an NBA match between the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic has a total line of 223.5, you bet over or under accordingly.

Futures Betting

When you have a hunch that a particular long-term outcome will materialize, you can place a futures bet on it. For instance, you may want to back one team to win next year's Stanley Cup. Futures bets also include wagers on long-term performance, such as the chance of the Toronto Maple Leafs recording 100 or more regular season goals, which might be priced at about -380.

Prop Bets

Proposition bets, to give them their full name, are wagers on particular outcomes during a match or race. The range of prop bets is extensive and can cover points totals and individual players' performances - you can even find player prop parlays within a single game.

How to Register for a FanDuel Sportsbook Account

Given that all major sportsbooks are super keen for your custom, it is no surprise that they make the process of signing up for an account as quick and painless as possible. Find your way to the FanDuel home page and follow these steps:

• Click the "Join Now" button
• Enter your personal details including your name, address, email, mobile number and date of birth - to prove you are above the minimum gambling age of 19 in Ontario
• Pick a name and password
• Choose a banking option, deposit some money in your new account - and you are good to go

FanDuel Pricing

FanDuel has steadily accrued a sound reputation for being one of the most customer-friendly US sportsbooks when it comes to pricing - and there is no reason to doubt a similar approach will prevail when it opens in Ontario.

FanDuel has consistently been rated among the best for its pricing on moneyline bets, futures and props. Pre-game spread margins in sports such as basketball and football are the industry standard 20 cents (-110 both ways). And as for fast-moving in-game markets, where the vig can occasionally be skewed slightly in favor of the sportsbook, FanDuel sticks pretty close to the same margin throughout.

FanDuel Sportsbook Payment Options

There are several methods available when you want to fund your FanDuel account and enjoy single event sports betting in Ontario on the website or mobile app. These include using credit or debit cards, prepaid card, online banking, PayPal and payment platforms such as PayNearMe, or wire transfer. Whichever way you want to top up your account, FanDuel has the experience to make the process as straightforward as

At the other end of the transactional scale, withdrawing your money is not complicated - except that there are fewer methods available. PayPal is reportedly the quickest way, with cash in your account within hours. Online banking withdrawals take between three and five days, while you may have to wait up to ten days for a check.

Ontario FanDuel Sports Betting App

Whether you own an iOS device or an Android, you will be able to locate the FanDuel sportsbook app at the Apple Store or Google Play Store respectively. Click the "Download now" button and the app will appear on your mobile device screen.

The design of the app is extremely similar to that of the website, although obviously the content is more streamlined to work on a smaller screen. Extensive research and upgrades have delivered an app that offers a great mobile betting experience.

Navigation from sport to sport and event to event is quick and easy, opening a bet slip to place a wager is straightforward and features such as live streaming, in-play betting and cash-out are available through your device too.

Desktop Interface for FanDuel Ontario

Users of the FanDuel mobile app will find the desktop experience eerily familiar. The design of the betting areas is virtually identical on both platforms - depending on your personal taste, this can be seen as a positive or a negative.

The site has a minimalist, business-like feel to it, but it is incredibly easy to find your way around and the site is quick and responsive. 

FanDuel Customer Support Methods

There are several ways to access FanDuel's customer support teams if you have a query. It is extremely important that sportsbooks have such mechanisms in place to ensure a knowledgeable and quick response to any issues a bettor may have. FanDuel offers the following:

• Live chat: Available 24/7 via "Support" on the website and "Help" on the app
• Email: 24/7 support on offer at sportsbook@fanduel.com 
• Phone: Customers are advised to get in touch via live chat in the first instance
• FAQ: Section available on website and app
• Languages: English only

FanDuel Safety and Security

FanDuel has a raft of security measures in place to ensure the safety of its customers' personal and financial information and to enable them to play with full peace of mind. These measures include encryption technology and firewalls, and continuous reviews of security procedures. It also has a partnership with security experts HackerOne. Anybody who discovers a vulnerability in the system and reports it via HackerOne is in line for a reward.

When using any online sportsbook, indeed any website, it is essential that you play your part by using a strong website. Create a mix of letters, numbers and symbols - it is really not smart at all to use "password" or "54321"!

Measures To Ensure Responsible Betting in Ontario

In a new market such as Ontario, it is absolutely critical that operators ensure the subject of responsible gambling is front and center for bettors and operators. Indeed, at the early stage of the move towards legalization in the province, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario ensured that responsible gambling was a key area requiring a set of eligibility standards.

It is heartening to see that FanDuel already encourages responsible gambling on its US website, with a prominent banner across the head of the home page that carries the number of a hotline for people who may need help with gambling problems.

The RealGM Verdict On The Ontario FanDuel Sportsbook

Sports betting aficionados should be looking forward to the opportunity of wagering with a licensed operator of the quality of FanDuel when its sportsbook opens in Ontario in the near future.

This is a high-class brand with a deserved reputation for the quality and quantity of its offering. It is easy to see how FanDuel progressed so quickly to prominence in the DFS space in the US. And how it has leveraged the expertise of its sports betting partner Paddy Power - both brands are now part of the powerful Flutter empire.

There is an understated confidence to the presentation of content on both the website and the app. This is a brand that does not shout too loudly - it allows the excellence of its customer experience, the breadth of its markets and events, the competitiveness of its odds to do all the talking for it.

The fact that the app looks like a mini-version of the site may count as a negative in some eyes; and the current lack of a dedicated sportsbook VIP program comes as a surprise. But overall, it is clear that FanDuel is one of the brands that is set to lead the revolution in the new age of Canada sports betting.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will FanDuel launch in Ontario?

It is not clear when the FanDuel sportsbook will be open for business. But it is hoped that the first sports bets will be struck early in 2022.

Does FanDuel Ontario offer legal sports betting?

FanDuel Ontario has been granted a licence and will be able to offer legal, regulated sports betting services to the people of the province once it gets the green light to commence operations.

Can I bet on college sports with FanDuel Ontario?

Several states in the US have historically not allowed wagering on college sports. However, there are no such qualms north of the border and FanDuel is expected to offer betting markets on NCAA action.

Does FanDuel Ontario offer an online casino?

Yes, it does. There are casino gaming facilities on website and app, with a generous selection of games to choose from.

Does FanDuel Ontario offer live betting?

FanDuel Ontario will offer live betting facilities, ensuring that bettors are able to continue wagering on a sports event even after it is under way. This service will be available on the app, as well as the website.

How is FanDuel Ontario taxed?

One reason that provinces such as Ontario, like many US states, are in favor of legalized sports betting is that licensed sportsbooks become liable for state taxes. The rate to be levied on the handle, or profits, of operators in Ontario has yet to be finalized, but analysis in 2021 suggested it might be in the region of 20 per cent.