First Canadian provincial lottery to offer online horse racing wagers through OLG.ca and app
Toronto, ON – August 12, 2025 — Horse racing fans across Ontario now have a new way to experience the thrill of the track, as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has teamed up with Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) to make live race betting available through OLG.ca and the OLG app.
The partnership allows OLG’s digital players to place bets on live horse races at tracks across Ontario and around the world, all through a seamless integration of WEG’s wagering platform. The product is powered by HPIbet, Canada’s leading online betting service for horse racing.
“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,” said Dave Pridmore, OLG’s Chief Gaming Officer. “This collaboration represents an important step in our mandate of supporting the sport and a vibrant, competitive and sustainable horse racing industry in Ontario.”
The launch makes OLG the first Canadian provincial lottery and gaming agency to bring a horse racing wagering product directly to its digital audience. Among the marquee events available for betting is The King’s Plate, scheduled for Saturday, August 16, at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
User-Friendly Access for Racing Fans
The integration offers a “plug-and-play” experience, enabling OLG players to access WEG’s product without leaving the OLG.ca platform. WEG and OLG say the same solution could be adopted by other Ontario gaming operators looking to bring horse racing to their own customers.
All wagers placed are through pari-mutuel betting, the only legal form of horse racing wagering in Canada. In this model, all bets are pooled together, and winnings are shared among those who backed the winning horses — a system that ensures fairness and complies with Canadian law.
“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,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “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.”
Responsible Play at the Forefront
Both organizations emphasize that player health and responsible gambling remain top priorities. OLG.ca and the OLG app offer a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to help players make informed choices and manage their gaming activities responsibly.
About Woodbine Entertainment
Woodbine Entertainment is Canada’s largest horse racing operator, staging Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and Standardbred racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Milton. The organization also owns and operates HPIbet, the country’s only dedicated horse racing betting platform.
In addition to The King’s Plate, Woodbine venues host several world-class racing events, including three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races and the Pepsi North America Cup. As a not-for-profit corporation without share capital, Woodbine reinvests all profits back into the horse racing industry, supporting an estimated 25,000 jobs across Ontario.
About OLG
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, OLG is a Crown agency that delivers entertainment experiences ranging from land-based casinos and lottery games to internet gaming and charitable gaming centres. Since 1975, OLG has generated approximately $62 billion for the people and Province of Ontario, funding healthcare, amateur sports, problem gambling prevention programs, and other community priorities.
OLG also plays a critical role in sustaining the provincial horse racing industry through targeted support and partnerships like the one announced today. Each year, profits from OLG operations benefit host municipalities, Ontario First Nations, lottery retailers, and local charities.
With this new collaboration, OLG and Woodbine aim to broaden the reach of horse racing, tapping into a growing base of online players while driving economic and cultural benefits for the sport in Ontario.