Fantasy sports and esports

Introduction: two "worlds" - fantasy and e-sports

In Canada, sports and games intersect in two major planes. Fantasy sports are:

classic seasonal (season-long leagues with friends and colleagues), and
DFS (daily fantasy) - daily/weekly paid contests with prize money.

Esports (eSports) is a separate vertical betting on competitive video games (LoL, CS, Dota 2, etc.), regulated as sport & event betting. The whole online picture is tied to a provincial model: each province has its own operator/rules; Ontario has an open market, iGaming (AGCO/iGO), with private brands.

Fantasy: Seasonal vs DFS and what with Ontario

Seasonal fantasy (conditionally "league of friends") is available everywhere - this is entertainment without a cash prize model or with symbolic contributions according to the rules of the sites.

DFS (paid contests) in Canada as a whole are possible, except for the specifics of Ontario: since April 2022, the largest operators have suspended paid DFS in ON due to the requirements of the provincial market (a separate "pool" only from Ontario players, without an interregional liquid pool). Since then, the topic has been in legal limbo: appeals back in 2024-2025. discussed access and player pool, but the return of paid DFS in Ontario never happened.

💡 Conclusion: in Ontario for 2025, it is reasonable to consider that paid DFS is still not available from large operators, whereas in the rest of Canada paid fantasy is possible subject to the conditions of the sites (age/geo/rules).

Esports: where markets are available and by what rules

Ontario (AGCO/iGO). eSports betting is allowed if the event passes AGCO standards (including verifiability of results, lack of "matches involving most minors," etc.). Check for markets with a specific legal iGO operator.

Quebec (Loto-Québec). There is a dedicated eSports section on Mise-o-jeu + (for example, League of Legends matches are published with odds in the line).

British Columbia/Manitoba/Saskatchewan. The PlayNow platform regularly expands the sports showcase; eSports markets are available at the discretion of the operator (see Sports and A-Z/special categories).

Ontario (OLG PROLINE +). Historically, eSports have been added in stages; see the current markets in the PROLINE + live line.

How to distinguish legal sites (quick checklist)

1. Ontario: Look for the site in the official iGaming Ontario catalog and iGO/AGCO badges in the page's basement. eSports markets are allowed subject to AGCO standards.

2. Other provinces: Bet only on provincial operators - Mise-o-jeu + (QC), PlayNow (BC/MB/SK), PROLINE + (ON state website OLG), PlayAlberta (AB), PRO • LINE Stadium (Atlantic).

Payments, Geolocation and KYC

On legal sites - online banking/Interac, cards and wallets (recruitment depends on the provider). Always required:

Proof of age and identity (KYC), geolocation: you can bet only while physically in a permitted jurisdiction (especially strictly in Ontario and on PlayNow).

Responsible fantasy and esports game - what to set up

Limits (deposit/expense/time), time-outs (cool-off) and self-exclusion are available on all legal platforms.

In esports, activity peaks more often in international majors: decide in advance what risk/bankroll you are comfortable with.

In DFS (outside Ontario), avoid "overexposure" on one player/tournament: several small tickets are better than one "all or nothing."

Frequent questions

Can I play paid DFS in Ontario?

For 2025, large operators do not have de facto: they have stopped paid DFS in Ontario since April 2022 due to market requirements and restrictions on the pool of players; court appeals have not yet changed the situation.

Where is it legal to bet on esports in Quebec/BC?

In Quebec - there are separate lines on Mise-o-jeu + via eSports; in BC/Manitoba/Saskatchewan - on PlayNow in a sports showcase (the availability of specific disciplines depends on the operator).

How do you make sure an operator in Ontario is legal?

Check the domain in the iGaming Ontario directory and find the iGO/AGCO icons; such sites have sections on standards, complaints and RG.

Are there age restrictions?

Yes I did. The minimum age is 19 + in most provinces (18 in Quebec/Manitoba/Alberta/Saskatchewan). Age verification takes place at KYC.

Fantasy sports: seasonal format lives everywhere; paid DFS in Ontario remain on hiatus due to regulatory requirements and the issue of interregional liquidity - appeals in 2024-2025 did not return paid DFS. In the rest of Canada, paid DFS is possible under site rules.

Esports: Legal as part of betting on events. In Ontario, eSports are allowed subject to AGCO standards; Mise-o-jeu + (QC) and PlayNow (BC/MB/SK) publish eSports lines, PROLINE + - check the current showcase.

The main rule for the player is only the legal sites of their province/Ontario, configured limits, pure geolocation and conscious bankroll. This will make both fantasy and esports a safe part of your sports craze.