Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has officially rolled out online horse race betting, made possible through a new collaboration with Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG). The integration allows customers using OLG.ca or the OLG app to place pari-mutuel wagers on live races held at Ontario tracks and international venues. The debut arrived just in time for one of the sport’s showcase events — the $1 million King’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack on August 16.
By introducing this service, OLG becomes the first provincial lottery and gaming corporation in Canada to add horse race wagering to its digital offerings. The platform is powered by HPIbet, Canada’s leading online racing operator, which has extended its reach beyond the website with a dedicated mobile app. According to OLG, the plug-and-play design could later be adopted by other licensed operators in Ontario, broadening access across the province’s competitive iGaming sector.
Dave Pridmore, OLG’s Chief Gaming Officer, said the move was about both player choice and industry support. “We are excited to offer access to this experience to our online players, providing another way for them to engage in the thrilling sport of horse racing,” he stated. “This collaboration represents an important step in our mandate of supporting the sport and a vibrant, competitive and sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario.”
Player Access and Industry Benefits
The new arrangement means all bets placed through OLG’s platforms are processed through Woodbine’s tote system using pari-mutuel wagering. Under this model, all stakes are pooled and redistributed among winning tickets once deductions are made, ensuring compliance with Canadian law and channeling betting revenue back into the horse racing economy.
Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, highlighted the significance of the integration. “This launch brings the excitement of horse racing to even more people across the province in a convenient and modern way — enhancing the experience for bettors while driving new interest in our sport. It’s another step forward for the growth of horse racing in Ontario, and we’re grateful to OLG for their continued support and willingness to collaborate and innovate alongside us.”
The timing aligns with a major calendar moment: the 166th edition of the King’s Plate, the first leg of Canada’s Triple Crown. Alongside other marquee events such as the Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders’ Stakes, the tournament reinforces Ontario’s position as the hub of Canadian thoroughbred racing.
Potential Expansion in Ontario’s Betting Landscape
Industry observers note that this development could pave the way for broader adoption. Ontario is currently home to more than 50 licensed operators managing upwards of 80 digital platforms, with over 20 offering sports betting. Until now, Woodbine has maintained exclusive rights over pari-mutuel wagering to ensure profits remained within Canada’s racing industry, a strategy that helps sustain breeding, training, and racing operations that support an estimated 23,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
The partnership with OLG marks the second time Woodbine has extended its reach into online gaming. The racetrack operator previously provided pari-mutuel services for bet365 in 2023, becoming the first to integrate horse racing with a sportsbook in Ontario.
Stakeholders see this latest launch as an important opportunity to raise the profile of horse racing within the wider betting market, particularly as other sportsbooks may choose to adopt Woodbine’s plug-and-play model in the future.
Responsible Play at the Core
OLG emphasized that the new service is built with player safety in mind. Customers on OLG.ca and the OLG app will have access to a full suite of responsible gambling resources, designed to help them set limits, track play, and make informed decisions. This aligns with OLG’s broader focus on balancing growth in the digital market with support for healthy gambling practices.
Source:
“OLG Launches Online Horse Racing Wagers with Woodbine“, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, August 13, 2025
