📘 Published November 3, 2026 · 5 min read
How to choose a sportsbook in Ontario: five checks, with the live barometer
Licensed or not, how much it gives back to bettors, the price game by game, the protection tools and withdrawals: the five checks before you open an account, with the OufBet payout barometer updated live inside the guide.
1. Licensed in your province
In Ontario, look for the sportsbook in iGaming Ontario's directory of regulated sites; regulated sites display the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos. You must be 19 or older and located in Ontario.
In Alberta, look for it in the Alberta iGaming Corporation's list of registered sites; you must be 18 or older.
💡 In Alberta? Read the Alberta guide, with the barometer set to Alberta.
2. How much it gives back to bettors
On every price, a sportsbook keeps a margin. Its payout is the share of stakes it returns to bettors on average; the rest is what it keeps. Over a season, a few dollars per $100 bet make a real difference.
The OufBet barometer measures it on the moneyline of every upcoming game, at each licensed sportsbook. Here it is, live:
📊 The OufBet barometer, live
- 1
BetRiversABMost generous$95.34per $100 - 2
Betano76 games$95.10per $100 - 3
FanDuelAB79 games$94.85per $100 - 4
Bet99AB84 games$94.80per $100 - 5
PointsBetAB73 games$94.65per $100 - 6
BetMGMAB74 games$94.03per $100 - 7
Sports InteractionAB73 games$93.90per $100 - 8
PROLINELeast generous$90.49per $100
From the most to the least generous, the gap is $4.85 on every $100 bet.
The full ranking, sport by sport →💡 The barometer ranks only the sportsbooks whose Ontario prices we have verified. Switch to Alberta to see the sportsbooks licensed there.
3. The best price, game by game
The most generous sportsbook on average is not always the best on the game you want to bet. Before every bet, compare the price of your pick at every licensed sportsbook: OufBet highlights the best one.
4. The protection tools
In Ontario, a licensed site must let you set deposit and loss limits from sign-up, over 24 hours, 7 days or one month (AGCO Standard 2.23), and offer breaks and self-exclusion. Since 14 May 2026, BetGuard lets you exclude yourself from every regulated site in Ontario at once.
5. Withdrawals
In Ontario, your name, date of birth and address must be validated before your account is opened (AGCO Standard 3.04). Have your ID ready at sign-up, and look at the site's payments page before you deposit: methods and delays vary by site.
And the bonuses?
In Ontario, bonuses and credits may not be advertised publicly (AGCO Standard 2.05): they are only shown on the operator's own site or app, or in messages you agreed to receive. A bonus also comes with conditions, while a sportsbook's payout applies to every bet you make. That is why OufBet ranks sportsbooks on payout, not on bonuses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important check before choosing a sportsbook?
The licence: in Ontario, the sportsbook must be in iGaming Ontario's directory of regulated sites. If it is not on the list, do not open an account.
What does a sportsbook's payout mean?
The share of stakes it returns to bettors on average; the rest is its margin. The OufBet barometer measures it on the moneyline of every upcoming game, at each licensed sportsbook.
Is the most generous sportsbook always the best?
Not on every game. Before each bet, compare the price of your pick at every licensed sportsbook: OufBet highlights the best one.
Why doesn't OufBet rank sportsbooks by bonus?
In Ontario, bonuses may not be advertised publicly (AGCO Standard 2.05), and a bonus comes with conditions, while a sportsbook's payout applies to every bet you make.
Bet responsibly
Betting is paid entertainment, for adults only (19 and over in Ontario, 18 and over in Alberta), never a way to make money. Set a budget before you start and stick to it, whatever happens.
💡 Free help, 24/7: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 in Ontario, Addiction Helpline 1-866-332-2322 in Alberta.
Sources: igamingontario.ca, abigaming.ca, agco.ca
Odds move fast: always check the price on the sportsbook's site. Information, not betting advice.