FanDuel and DraftKings are discontinuing their Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests in Ontario effective April 1, just days before the province launches its regulated sports betting market on April 4.

This decision stems from Ontario's regulatory requirements that:

• Restrict DFS players to competing only against other Ontario residents
• Require operators to pay $100,000 in annual licensing fees
• Mandate 20% revenue sharing with the Ontario government

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) classifies DFS as pay-to-play gambling, subjecting it to the same regulations as sports betting. This classification creates operational challenges for DFS platforms that typically rely on player pools across multiple jurisdictions.

While DFS contests will cease, both FanDuel and DraftKings plan to launch their sportsbook platforms in Ontario on April 4. FanDuel has already secured its AGCO license, while DraftKings' application is pending approval.

Other sportsbook operators expected to launch in Ontario's regulated market include:

• Multiple major sports betting apps and platforms
• Licensed operators approved by iGaming Ontario (iGO)
• Established international betting providers

The future of DFS in Ontario remains uncertain unless regulatory amendments are made to accommodate the unique nature of fantasy sports contests. Currently, the strict provincial boundaries on player pools make traditional DFS operations unsustainable in the market.

This shift marks a significant transition in Ontario's gaming landscape as it moves toward a fully regulated sports betting market, though at the expense of DFS availability for the province's players.

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