Ontario Sportsbooks Get In On Political Betting Action

• Gambling News
• 19 February 2025

These are tumultuous times in Canadian politics, and BetMGM is wagering that Ontarians will back their words with cash. 

Political Wagering Intensifying 

Regarding the provincial election, after two leadership debates have taken place and with a vote set for Feb. 27, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives hold a significant lead in the polls. 

Leger reports that Ford’s PCs are ahead by 20% (48%), surpassing Bonnie Crombie’s Ontario Liberal Party (28%), Marit Stiles’ Ontario NDP (16%) and Mike Schreiner’s Green Party (5%). 

Who Challenges Trump? 

The discussions surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump and tariffs have benefited Ford, as he has established himself as a powerful advocate for the nation, ready to take a stand. 

Ontario sportsbooks are participating in the excitement. 

At BetMGM, the lead for the PC is so significant that they are only providing a market on which party will secure the second most seats in the Ontario Legislature (Liberals at -278, NDP at +175, then the Conservatives at +2000, and the Green Party at +10000). 

At Bet99, the PCs are the leading betting choice at -1429, with the Liberals next at +900, followed by the NDP at +1500, and the Green Party at +3000. FanDuel's odds are: PCs -700, Liberals +750, NDP +1500, Green Party +3100. 

Competition to Succeed Trudeau 

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigns, a race for the Liberal leadership has commenced, with Canadian Parliament being prorogued as the Liberal Party organizes itself. 

BetMGM is providing new options in that area. As of February 19, Mark Carney was identified as the leading candidate with odds of -5000, while former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland was at +1200. 

The Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre maintains a strong advantage in the polls, with 42.2%, yet the Liberal Party, anticipating a victory under Carney's leadership, has been chipping away at that margin over the last six weeks, currently at 26.5%. The federal NDP stands at 15.9%. 

BetMGM lists the Conservatives as -325 favorites to win, with the Liberals positioned at +225. At FanDuel, the Conservatives are listed at -400, while the Liberals are at +250. 

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"The markets suggest that most Canadians see a Mark Carney win in the Liberal leadership as a foregone conclusion – but they’re nowhere near ready to predict his victory over Pierre Poilievre in the general election,” said Amanda Galbraith, a Canadian political commentator. “Given the unpredictable nature of the current political environment, we may well see some volatility in these odds over the coming weeks.”

BetMGM additionally provides odds for the next Governor-General of Canada, with astronaut Chris Hadfield as the favorite at +600 (Jordan Peterson sits at +2000). 

Wagering activity has been sluggish up to this point. 

“There is interest, but these are small markets and only available in Ontario,” said another spokesperson from BetMGM.