The Ontario online sports betting, casino gaming, and poker market is a big deal. According to Forbes, the market is expected to generate $800 million in legal gaming revenue this year alone.
As such, big brands are flocking to the market from all over and US sportsbook and daily fantasy sports giant FanDuel is no exception.
FanDuel Sports Ontario is officially live and taking legal and regulated sports bets from players in the province. It launched on the opening day of the newly regulated market, April 4, hoping to claw out its market share early.
Marketing efforts are ramping up as well, including a newly inked partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) the parent company of fan-favorite sports teams such as the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.
The partnership has FanDuel as the official sports betting partner for all of the brands that fall under the MLSE umbrella and allows for branding courtside and rinkside, as well as for collaboration on ongoing marketing initiatives.
With sports fans now seeing FanDuel marketing more than ever before, looking to entice would-be gamblers with shiny bonus deals and welcome offers, it is more important than ever to be cognizant of safer gambling practices. Let’s take a look at the immediate ways players can manage their time and money spent while gambling at FanDuel Ontario.
8 Responsible Gaming Tools at FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario
1. Reality-Check
This is a great tool that FanDuel has set up and one we haven’t seen much elsewhere. The Reality Check function allows a player to set pop-up notifications that alert them to how much time and money they have spent on the site during that session. It is a really quick way of altering a player to how much money has been wagered and how much time has been spent logged in. It may seem simple, but having a reminder pop up onscreen is a great way of reminding a player of these two important factors.
2. Time Limits
A Time Limit is as it sounds. It allows a player to select a maximum amount of time they can spend logged into the site. This way, time cannot get away from them, an all too common occurrence when gambling. Once the time limit is reached, the player will not be able to access the site until the time period has passed and a new one begins. For instance, if a player sets a limit of 5 hours per week, once that is hit, the player will have to wait until the new week begins before logging back in.
3. Time-Outs
Setting Time-Outs allows a player to create enforced time away from the action. When a player sets up the time-out, they can decide how long of a break they need — anywhere between 3 and 365 days. FanDuel will lock the account until after the chosen amount of time has passed and the time-out has ended.
For those seeking to take a break for longer than a year, self-exclusion will likely be the best option. More details on that below.
4. Deposit Limits
Players can set a Deposit Limit when they register or at any other time whilst logged into the site. This allows them to manage how much money they are able to deposit within a certain period of time. The player will decide on a time period and dollar amount — for example, $20 per week or $100 per month — and, once that limit has been reached, they will automatically be blocked from depositing any more money onto the site until the time period ends.
5. Loss Limits
A Loss Limit is determined by both time and money. A player can set a maximum amount they are prepared to lose within a certain period of time. Once that threshold is hit, the player will not be able to continue playing on the site or app until the time period has passed. For example, if a player decides they can afford to lose $50 a month, if they hit that threshold, they will be blocked from playing until the following month. This helps prevent players from chasing losses or gambling beyond their means.
6. Wager Limits
Like deposit limits, a Wager Limit can be set to limit the number of wagers a player can place at any one time. Once the time and the dollar amount are hit, the player will be stopped from being able to place any more wagers until the time period has passed.
7. Maximum Bet Limits
This allows a player to set a limit on the amount of money they can spend per bet. Setting a maximum bet limit can stop a player from chasing their losses or betting more than they can afford.
8. Self-Exclusion
Self-Exclusion is a way for players struggling with gambling addiction, compulsive gambling, or other problem gambling behaviors to ban themselves from being able to log into a site. Self-exclusion can last anywhere from 1 year to 5 years to a lifetime ban.
For those looking to take a shorter-term break from the action, FanDuel Sports Ontario also offers a Time-Out option (outlined above) that allows players to ban themselves for between 3 and 365 days.
FanDuel also lets players:
- Set parental controls
- Has links to problem gambling resources
- Allows players to quickly close their account
- Links to further reading on problem gambling
- Provides details for those struggling with suicidal thoughts
