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SportsTop online sports betting sites in Canada
Pros
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Dozens of sports to bet on -
Dedicated sports betting app
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Specific esports promotions
Cons
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FAQs section is lacking
Payments
Pros
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Lowest margin sports odds -
Dedicated esports section
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Multi View live betting option
Cons
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Lack of bonuses & promos
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No horse racing betting
Payments
Pros
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Very modern sportsbook
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Low bonus wager requirement
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Personalized sports betting
Cons
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Promotions aren’t so regular
Payments
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Games: 1,500+ -
Win Rate: 96.20%
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Payout Speed: 1-5 days
Pros
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Mobile apps for Android and iOS
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eSports betting markets
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24/7 live chat
Cons
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Poor VIP program
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Live chat only in English
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Not many payment methods
Payments
Pros
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Large sports betting selection
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Dedicated sports betting app
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Huge selection of promotions
Cons
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No live chat support
Payments
Pros
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Refer-a-friend bonus offer
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Stylish sportsbook design
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Separate racebook section
Cons
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Few esports betting options
Payments
Pros
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1,000 daily sports events
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Dedicated esports section
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24/7 customer support
Cons
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Limited VIP program
Payments
Pros
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Leading sports odds
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Fast and easy to navigate
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Daily promos & free bets
Cons
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No live streaming available
Payments
Pros
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Big variety of sports markets
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Award-winning mobile app
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Great sports betting promos
Cons
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Slightly confusing sports page
Payments
Pros
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Multiple live betting options
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Very appealing site design
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Quick payout times
Cons
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Deposit & withdrawal fees
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Customer support is not 24/7
Payments
Read our expert team’s review process for finding the best sports betting sites.
How does sports betting work in Canada?
Up until this year, single-game betting had been illegal in Canada, with residents only being able to place sports wagers on a parlay basis – which involves betting on the outcome of multiple events at once – or else bet with an offshore gaming operator.
But this all changed as of August 27, 2021, as single-game sports betting was finally legalized by the federal government. Following this, seven Canadian provinces – including Ontario, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and New Brunswick – announced they would be launching new regulated markets for single-event sports betting.
BC sports betting fans, for instance, can now bet on major games like the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, or the NBA Finals, and the BC Lottery Corporation is taking wagers on individual events. In ON, meanwhile, the OLG’s Proline+ product now offers single-event betting, enabling Ontario players to place bets from their mobile, tablet, or desktop.
Popular sports to bet on
2022 sporting event calendar for Canada
- Apr 29: 2021-22 NHL season end date
- May 2 – Jun 30: Stanley Cup Playoffs (Tennessee, US)
- Jun 30: Stanley Cup (Tennessee, US)
- Jul 7-8: NHL Draft (Montreal, Canada)
Sports betting odds explained
A fairly common question to crop up when discussing sports wagering is ‘how do betting odds work?’ If you’re new to sports betting and reading odds, don’t worry as we’re here to guide you.
Of course, the types of bets do vary from sport to sport – whether it’s NHL betting, NBA betting, or NFL betting, for instance – but the fundamental principle behind odds remains the same.
There are three main types of betting odds: fractional (British), decimal (European and Canadian) and American (moneyline). Here’s an example of what this looks like:
Bet: C$100
Win: C$750
Return: C$850
Bet: C$1
Win: C$7.50
Return: C$8.50
Bet: C$2
Win: C$15
Return: C$17
For moneyline, odds are expressed with a positive or a negative number. A negative number indicates how much you must stake to make C$100 profit. Meanwhile, a positive number indicates how much you win off a C$100 stake. So, in the above example, odds of +750 would mean that a C$100 winning bet would return C$750 in profit, plus the initial C$100 stake.
Decimals odds – which is the most popular format in Canada – show you the total payout, including the original stake. For instance, a winning bet at 8.50 would return C$8.50 for every C$1 staked. Finally, fractional odds show you winnings and the stake either side of the dividing line. In this case, 15/2 is a C$2 bet for a return of C$17.
Have a play around with our odds calculator to work out other odds types, betting stakes and potential profits.
Popular sports bets
There are several different ways in which you can place a sports bet. We’ll take you through some of the best bets available on the market today, from moneyline and point spread to live betting.
Moneyline betting
One of the most popular bet types, the moneyline is simply wagering on which team will win the game. Teams with a minus sign in front of them are the favourites, while teams represented with a plus sign are the underdogs.
So, if you were to back the Toronto Raptors to win an NBA game, you would make C$300 profit, plus your C$100 stake back for C$400 total return. On the other hand, if you backed the favourites, the Cleveland Cavaliers, you would only make a profit of C$40, plus your C$100 stake back for a total return of C$140.
Spread betting
You’ll also find spread betting (also referred to as point spreads) on Canadian sportsbooks. These simplify sports gambling on events where one team or player is clearly superior to the other.
In sports spread betting, you’re betting on your chosen team or player to win by so many points. The spread is set by sportsbook traders. For example, Toronto Maple Leafs are listed with a -2 spread. They have to win by two or more points for the bet to come off.
Totals bet (over/under)
Also known as over/under betting, a totals bet is the combined score of two teams in any given sporting event. Oddsmakers are responsible for setting the totals number, and bettors then need to determine whether the total number of points scored by both teams will go ‘over’ or ‘under’ the oddsmaker’s total.
Prop bets
Prop bets, or proposition bets, are bets based on occurrences or non-occurrences during a game or match that don’t necessarily impact the overall result or outcome. Examples of prop bets include things like how many shots a particular player will make in a basketball game, or the total number of touchdowns in the Super Bowl.
Futures bets
As the name suggests, this is a wager on an event or outcome that will take place in the more distant future (beyond the current day or week). These bets usually relate to end of season results, like betting on a team to win a championship. For instance, you could bet on who will win the next Super Bowl after one has just finished, or bet on the NBA Finals before the season has even begun.
Parlay bets
Also called ‘accumulators’ or ‘multis’, parlay bets allow you to place bets on multiple games or events at once. Potential payouts on parlay bets can be massive, but remember if you bet on multiple games and just one loses, you’ll win nothing!
Live betting
Live sports betting, or in-play betting, is when you can place a bet through a sportsbook while a game is happening. You can do so on desktop or a sports betting app on mobile.
The odds will fluctuate very quickly compared to pre-match markets, so you’ll need to be alert. Unique live betting markets such as ‘next player to score’ or if you fancy a team to make a comeback will be available.
It is recommended that you are watching the game you intend to bet on live, so you have a better understanding of the market and when best to bet.
Top sports betting tips
- Find a sports betting site with the best prices and wide range of markets.
- Pick a sportsbook with enticing sports betting bonuses and promotions.
- Do your research and place your bets early to get ahead of sportsbooks.
- Set yourself a budget and don’t wager over anything you can’t afford.
- Niche sports can sometimes offer the best odds if you know your stuff.
Best sports betting apps & mobile sites
More than 60% of sports gamblers in Canada bet on mobile. You’ll subsequently find the best sportsbooks will offer a dedicated sports betting app and/or mobile optimized site for your iPhone or Android device.
All legit sports betting apps are free to download. You can also use the feature available on the desktop site, including access to all the betting odds, live sports betting and even watch live streams of games.
To make life easier, we’ve put together a table of the top five sports betting apps on the market and rated them for you:
| Rank | Betting Site | Mobile Site | Mobile App | Rating | Our Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Betway Sports | Yes | Yes | 4.8/5 | Read Review |
| #2 | 888Sport | Yes | Yes | 4.3/5 | Read Review |
| #3 | Sports Interaction | Yes | No | 4.2/5 | Read Review |
| #4 | BetVictor | Yes | Yes | 4.1/5 | Read Review |
| #5 | Pinnacle | Yes | Yes | 3.8/5 | Read Review |
How we review the best sports betting sites
Our expert team at OGCA consider the following criteria for finding the best sports betting sites in Canada:
More on sports betting
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NHL
The National Hockey League, comprised of leading teams from Canada and the US.
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NBA
The National Basketball Association, the highest level of the sport for teams in
the US – and the Toronto Raptors.
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MLB
MLB sportsbooks provide players in Canada with big winning opportunities.
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NFL
Get started on NFL betting with our guide.
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Super Bowl
Find out how to bet on the NFL Super Bowl.
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Premier League
Formed in 1992, the English Premier League is regarded as one of the best soccer leagues in the world.
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MLS
MLS offers big Canadian interest. Our guide goes through all you need to know about betting on the league.
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Sportsbook reviews
Sportsbook reviews include sports betting bonuses, top games and much more! Visit our website to find out more today!
FAQs
You’ll need an online sportsbook account to place bets online in Canada. Here’s how you sign up:
- Visit one of our recommended Canadian sites for sports betting.
- Find the ‘Join’ or ‘Sign up’ button. It will be prominent on the homepage.
- Fill in your personal details in the form provided.
- Set up a username and password for your betting account.
- Security questions and answers, plus a passcode, can give you extra account protection.
- Enter any promo codes relating to welcome bonuses (if applicable).
- Agree to sportsbook T&Cs, then verify you are of legal age to gamble. You should then be all set to place your first bet!
