UK-based bookmaker Fitzdares is shutting down its operations in Ontario, Canada due to high costs and intense competition in the province’s online gambling market.
The company announced that it will officially cease operations at midnight on March 31, 2025, marking the end of its two-year presence in Ontario.
According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s registry, March 3 was the last day for issuing bonuses and promotions. March 11 is the final day the company will accept deposits, except for $5 transfers required to withdraw funds. The operator will also stop accepting new bets on March 25, and all customer account balances must be withdrawn by March 31. Fitzdares’ iGaming license in Ontario is set to expire on April 3.
Fitzdares’ departure comes in the wake of its former CEO William Woodhams’ exit earlier this year. Under his leadership, the bookmaker expanded beyond the U.K. and Ireland, entering Ontario in 2023.
Ontario’s online gambling market remains highly competitive, with 50 operators currently offering sports betting, casino games, bingo, and poker. While other companies such as Coolbet and Unibet have also exited the province, major brands like bet365, DraftKings, and FanDuel continue to dominate.
Fitzdares cited business costs as a major factor in its decision to leave the province. “We have loved Ontario, and made some great friends, but the cost of doing business was becoming prohibitive,” said Clive Harris, Fitzdares’ Country Manager for Canada, in a statement to Covers.
“We will continue to monitor the competitive and regulatory environment closely, as we gear up for exciting times ahead,” he added.
Ontario requires iGaming operators to pay a $100,000 annual licensing fee and contribute approximately 20% of revenue to the province.
Fitzdares, known for its high-end customer service and ties to horse racing in the U.K., struggled to replicate its “premium” brand in Ontario.
Unlike its British operations, it was unable to open a gambling-friendly private club or independently offer horse race betting without a partnership with Woodbine Entertainment Group.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/05/97175-ukbased-fitzdares-to-exit-ontarios-online-gaming-market
