Just in time for the 166th King’s Plate, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has officially launched online horse racing wagering, giving bettors across the province the ability to place live bets via OLG.ca and the OLG app.
This marks a major milestone for Canadian gaming, as OLG becomes the first provincial lottery and gaming agency in Canada to offer digital access to parimutuel horse racing bets through a partnership with Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG).
Horse Racing Goes Mobile in Ontario
The new offering allows players to wager on races held across Ontario, including marquee events at Woodbine Racetrack, directly from their smartphones or desktops. All bets placed through OLG’s platform are processed using parimutuel wagering, the only legal method of horse race betting in Canada. This system pools all bets together, with winners sharing the pot based on final odds.
“We’re thrilled to bring the excitement of horse racing to our digital players,” said Dave Pridmore, Chief Gaming Officer at OLG. “This launch supports our broader mandate to strengthen Ontario’s horse racing industry while enhancing the entertainment experience for our customers.”
King’s Plate Headlines the Launch
The timing couldn’t be better. The King’s Plate, Canada’s oldest and most prestigious horse race, takes place this Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. With a $1 million purse, the race features 13 top three-year-old thoroughbreds, including stakes winners and rising underdogs. It serves as the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, followed by:
- Prince of Wales Stakes – $400K, September 9 at Fort Erie (1 3/16 miles, dirt)
- Breeders’ Stakes – $400K, September 28 at Woodbine (1 1/2 miles, turf)
Often compared to the Kentucky Derby, the King’s Plate is a cultural and social spectacle, drawing serious bettors, casual fans, and racing enthusiasts from across the country.
“This is a major step forward for horse racing in Ontario,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “We’re proud to collaborate with OLG to make wagering more accessible and modern, while continuing to grow interest in our sport.”
