Spring has always been an exciting time for sports fans. And this one is shaping up to be no different, especially for those of us in the province of Ontario. 

The Maple Leafs are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. The surprising Raptors are poised to make some noise in the NBA playoffs. There's The Masters. And when the Blue Jays begin play in 2022, they will do so with World Series aspirations.

Additional buzz is being generated among sports fans by iGaming companies such as Toronto-based NorthStar Bets who — subject to successful registration with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and execution of an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario — plan to officially open for business this spring and start taking bets as a fully regulated online sportsbook and casino. 

Beginning today, as part of an advertising and marketing services arrangement with Torstar, NorthStar Bets is excited to launch a dedicated 'sports betting' vertical inside thestar.com/sports. In the run-up to spring, NorthStar Bets' team of sports betting writers will be updating the section regularly with a series of 'how to bet on' articles and other educational content. (Note: NorthStar Bets is owned by NordStar Capital, which also owns Torstar, the Star’s parent company.)

In the ensuing weeks, our content offerings will expand dramatically to include hyper-local daily picks articles, betting features, industry columns and other multimedia content, much of it produced in conjunction with our partners and fellow Canadians at The Parleh.

And that's just the start. We've got more to announce in the weeks to come. 

Our goal at NorthStar Bets is simple: to provide Ontario sports fans with a premier sportsbook entertainment experience featuring responsible, insightful content that informs, engages and entertains. 

To help ensure we are providing safe and entertaining content, we are training our entire team in a purpose-built program from The Responsible Gaming Council of Ontario. The goal of responsible gambling is to minimize the risk to all players by providing useful information and encouraging play within limits the players can afford.

So whether you're a casual fan who wants to learn how to bet on F1, the Raptors or The Masters, or a more experienced player seeking quick, smart, daily betting insights on your favourite Toronto teams, look no further.

It's going to be a spring like no other in Ontario sports. We can't wait to enjoy it with you.

Chris Toman
Managing Editor, NorthStar Bets