Fanatics Casino Launches in Ontario Without Sportsbook

Fanatics Casino has launched in Ontario, becoming the province's 50th active iGaming operator. The platform soft-launched Tuesday without a formal announcement. Sports betting is notably absent from the rollout, despite Fanatics' roots in sports apparel and merchandise. Conor Grant, Fanatics' President of Gaming, confirmed the company will add its Sportsbook to Ontario in 2027. He said Fanatics will also enter Alberta's iGaming market that same year. Ontario marks the first international market for the Fanatics Betting & Gaming brand.

Casino First, Sportsbook Later

Fanatics received Ontario licenses for both casino and sportsbook platforms on Aug. 11. Only the casino product went live this week. Grant told Canadian Gaming Business the casino-first approach partly reflects how Ontario's market is structured. Online casino products account for roughly 80% of Ontario's gross gaming revenue. Ontarians wagered $8.78 billion on iCasino platforms in July alone, setting an all-time monthly record. Fanatics Casino currently operates in four U.S. states: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Its Sportsbook is live in 24 U.S. jurisdictions, giving the company established infrastructure to extend north eventually.

Entering an Already Crowded Ontario Market

Fanatics arrives in Ontario alongside 49 other licensed operators and dozens of active gaming websites. Recent entrants include Hard Rock Bet and DAZN Bet, both of which have launched in the past six months. Established brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars already compete for the same Ontario players. This saturation raises questions about how much room remains for new operators to gain meaningful market share.

Grant and company representatives have not detailed how Fanatics plans to differentiate its casino product.

Alberta Expansion Pushed Back to 2027

Alberta opened its own regulated iGaming market on July 13, following the model Ontario set in 2022. Dozens of operators, including Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings, registered ahead of the launch. Fanatics chose not to enter Alberta at launch, waiting instead until 2027. Grant did not explain why Fanatics is sequencing its expansion this way. This approach may allow the company to observe how Alberta's still-young market matures before committing resources there.