Is sports betting legal in Canada?

Yes, since August 2021 it has been legal to gamble online in Canada using any platform with a license to operate in its jurisdiction.

What is the legal betting age in Canada?

It depends on where you are. The legal age for wagering on sports is 18 years old and older in Alberta, Manitoba, and Québec. While in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, the legal gambling age starts from 19 years old.

Are winnings from sports betting taxable in Canada?

Your winnings are not taxable in Canada unless you are considered a professional gambler where betting is your main source of income.

Which sports can I bet on in Canada?

You can bet on a wide variety of sports, including ice hockey, American football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, horse racing, tennis, MMA, Formula 1, and many more.

What types of sports bets can I place in Canada?

There are several types of bets available for sports bettors in Canada. These include moneyline bets, spread bets, totals bet, prop bets, and futures bets.

Which payment methods can I use in Canada?

Payment options include credit or debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, prepaid cards, vouchers, and checks.

Are there bonuses available for sports betting in Canada?

Yes, you can claim various bonuses such as matched deposit offers, free bets, parlay insurance, parlay bonuses, and more.

How does live sports betting work?

It allows you to wager on games as they’re happening, with the odds updated in real-time.

What is the safest sport to bet on?

No sport is inherently safer to bet on than others. The risk depends on the bettor’s knowledge of the sport, the odds, and many other factors.

Which betting app should I use in Canada?

Your choice of app will depend on your preferences for sports, bet types, bonuses, and user experience. We recommend the Leo Vegas app for the best overall mobile betting experience.

Find Your Winning Edge with the Best Sports Betting Sites in Canada

Betting makes every sports match an exhilarating chance to win money. Here, we introduce you to the vast array of wagering options available in Canada. Gain insights into how odds work, where to find the best bonuses, and even sharpen your sports betting skills with evergreen tips and strategies. Let’s jump in.

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Discover the Most Popular Sports Canadians Love to Bet On

Canadians betting online have access to a wide range of sports such as ice hockey, American football, baseball, tennis, Formula 1, and the list goes on. Furthermore, headline events such as the Super Bowl attract the full attention of sports bettors, including those who don’t typically place wagers online.

Here we’ve listed the most popular sports for betting in Canada:

Ice hockey

Ice hockey is immensely popular in Canada, with the National Hockey League (NHL) and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) attracting a hardcore fan base. The NHL season climaxes at the Stanley Cup, where the NHL playoffs winner is crowned.

American football

Throughout the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) seasons, many Canadians enjoy wagering on games. NCAA college football is also popular, with nearly 10,000 games played across the U.S. At the end of the NFL regular season, the Super Bowl is one of the most popular sporting and media events worldwide.

Basketball

With some of the sporting world’s biggest stars competing, the NBA attracts more bettors than any other league. Canada’s own Toronto Raptors won the NBA Championship in 2019. Another major betting event is March Madness, where 68 teams compete for the NCAA Championship title.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is Canada’s national summer sport. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) and Major League Lacrosse (MLL) offering fans many betting opportunities. The Mann Cup sees the best teams play for national supremacy, with sports bettors speculating on the winner of this season-ending championship.

Soccer

The most popular sport for online betting worldwide, soccer is also big in Canada. The English Premier League (EPL), UEFA Champions League, and Major League Soccer (MLS) are among the most popular leagues for wagering. Infrequent events like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro tournaments provide more opportunities for Canadians to cash in.

Baseball

The world’s first-ever established professional sports league, Major League Baseball (MLB) accounts for most baseball wagers in Canada. Throughout the season, betting trends upwards to the World Series, which is contested between the winners of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL).

Horse racing

Horse racing is a long-standing Canadian tradition, with events the likes of Canadian Triple Crown and Queen’s Plate attracting lots of media and betting attention. The Grand National (UK), Cheltenham Festival (UK) and Dubai World Cup (UAE) also appeal to Canadians who follow and bet on horse racing.

MMA

With an annual schedule of 40 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events and hundreds of bouts each year, MMA fans can enjoy wagering on their favorite fighters almost all year round.

Sports Betting Calendar

Check out these major annual sports events and the options available for online bettors in Canada.

Sport	Season	Major Events	Bet Types	Live Betting
Ice hockey	Oct–Jun	Stanley Cup	Moneyline, puck line, total goals, point spread, futures	Yes
American football	Sep–Feb	Super Bowl, College Football Playoff	Moneyline, point spread, totals, futures, props	Yes
Basketball	Oct–Jun	NBA Finals, March Madness	Moneyline, point spread, total points, props	Yes
Lacrosse	May–Sep	World Lacrosse Box Championships	Moneyline, goal handicap, total goals	Yes
Soccer	Aug–May	FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship	Moneyline, point spread, total goals, correct score	Yes
Baseball	Apr–Oct	World Series, World Baseball Classic	Moneyline, run line, totals, futures	Yes
Horse racing	Year-round	Kentucky Derby, Grand National, Cheltenham Festival	Win, place, show, exacta, trifecta	No
MMA	Year-round	Main Event Fights	Moneyline, total rounds, method of victory	Yes

Unravelling Sports Betting: Probabilities, Odds Formats and Calculating Winnings

Odds serve two key functions in terms of how sports betting works. Firstly, they indicate how likely an event is to happen. They are also used to calculate how much a winning sports bet will pay out.

Odds formats

Odds for online sports betting can be presented in three different formats: American, decimal, and fractional. The chance or probability of any sports-related event occurring can be represented in either of these odds formats, which, in themselves, have no bearing on how much money the bet pays out.

American odds

A minus sign before the odds means you must wager that amount to win $100, while a plus sign indicates the potential winnings from a $100 bet.

Decimal odds

Here, what you see is what you get. These odds represent the total return for a $1 bet, including the stake (highly recommended for beginners).

Fractional odds

Shows your potential profit relative to the stake using a fraction. The top number is your potential profit for every unit of the bottom number you wager.

Below is a table showing bets in the various odds formats and their implied chance of winning:

American Odds	Decimal Odds	Fractional Odds	Implied Probability
-167	0.60	6/10	62.50%
-222	1.45	9/20	69.00%
+100	2.0	1/1	50.00%
+1400	15.00	14/1	6.70%

How to use odds to calculate your sports betting payouts

Betting on sports requires a bit of math. Although the casino does most of the work for you, it’s helpful to understand how potential payouts are calculated based on the stake and odds:

Tip:

Calculate the potential winnings from any sports bet by multiplying the stake by the odds:

Potential Winnings = Stake * Odds

Calculate the profit from any winning sports bet by deducting the stake from the total payout:

Profit = Total Payout – Stake

Our Favourite Sports Betting Sites – Best Sportsbooks

These Canadian sports betting sites are the best of the best in their respective categories. So, whether you’re looking for the widest selection of sports and bet types, or the most secure or payment-friendly platform, you’ll find just what you need right here.

Sports Betting Site	Why this Casino?	Top Perks
1 Tonybet	Best live sports betting	Employs the latest SSL encryption technology to protect user data and transactions.
2 BetPlays	Best bonuses for sports betting	Offers loads of sports bonuses and promotions, including free bets and cashback.
3 Betway	Best sportsbook odds	Choose from diverse wagering options, including futures bets across multiple sports and leagues.
4 CashWin	Best VIP program for sports betting	Experience easy deposits and withdrawals with convenient payment options (cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets).
5 Bodog	Best sports betting sign up bonus	Enjoy excellent live sports wagering options and streaming to help you stay in the game.
6 GreatWin	Sports betting with fastest payouts	A sleek website and intuitive navigation ensure a rewarding and engaging user experience.
7 LeoVegas	Best mobile sports betting	Tap into a top mobile experience with its diverse sportsbook and excellent mobile app.

Play responsibly

As much as possible, try to keep your emotions in check when betting on sports. Playing in a bad headspace can lead you to spend more than you can afford to. Responsible gambling sometimes requires setting deposit limits, taking breaks or self-excluding if necessary.

Claim the Best Sports Betting Bonuses in Canada

Reap the benefits of sports betting bonuses in Canada. Make use of matched deposit offers, free bets, and regular promotions to level up your online gaming experience

Matched deposit bonus

This is credited to your casino or sportsbook account after signing up and making your first deposit. The bonus amount is equal to the value of your initial deposit up to a specified amount, such as 100%.

Free bet

This bonus allows you to place one bet without the need to use your own deposited funds. Any winnings returned from a free bet is your profit only and does not include the stake.

Regular sports betting promotions you can rely on

Taking advantage of regular promotions is one of the best ways to improve your overall success as a sports bettor. Remember, understanding the terms and conditions attached to these promotions is key to making the most out of them.

Here are some popular promotions available at the best Canadian sports betting sites:

Promotion	Description	Claim Your Bonus Now
Enhanced odds	This promotion gives you higher odds than usual for a specific bet. Enhanced odds translate to bigger payouts, offering the chance to win more money if your bet is successful.	Bodog
Bet boosts	Similar to enhanced odds, except you get to choose which bets you want to boost. It’s like having a coupon to use with any bet, making the potential payout bigger if you win.	GreatWin
Parlay insurance	Think of this promotion as a safety net for your parlay bets. It usually comes into play if just one of your selections loses, giving you a cash refund or a free bet.	Bodog
Parlay bonuses	These reward you for combining several selections on your bet slip. The more selections added, the larger the bonus on top of your standard payout if you win.	BetPlays
Cash Out	Use this feature to settle your bet before the sports event has concluded, locking in your potential winnings or reducing losses based on the live odds.	CashWin

Unlock exclusive rewards with sports betting loyalty programs

VIP and loyalty programs in Canada reward you with benefits based on your play. How these usually work is that every time you place a bet, you earn points. The more points collected, the bigger the rewards unlocked, until reaching the highest VIP status.

Depending on your loyalty status, these benefits range from free bets and cashback bonuses to exclusive perks like special event invites and holidays.

DRIP Casino is offering weekly bonuses and birthday gifts as well as cash and bonus bets earn points. Place sports bets to earn loyalty points, unlocking benefits such as bonuses, cashback, and more at this sports betting casino site.

drip-casino-top-canadian-sports-betting-site-desktop-interface

Convenient Payment Methods for Canadian Sports Bettors

For Canadians interested in wagering on sports, there is a huge variety of banking options available, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and bank transfers.

Compare these popular payment methods for online sports betting:

Payment Method	Withdrawal Speed	Security	Fees	Withdrawal Limits
Visa	Up to 24 hours	Highest	No fees	None
Mastercard	Up to 24 hours	Highest	No fees	None
Bitcoin	Instant	Very High	Less than $1	Varies across sites
PayPal	Up to 12 hours	High	Around 3.5%	$5,000
Skrill	Up to 12 hours	High	Fees vary by transaction	$10,000
Interac	Up to 72 hours	High	May incur fees	$3,000
InstaDebit	3-5 business days	High	Low fees, often covered by sportsbook	$20,000
iDebit	Up to 72 hours	High	May charge fees	$6,000
Paysafecard	Instant	High	None	$2,500
Payz	Up to 72 hours	High	Fees depends on transaction	$1,500

What is the most crypto-friendly sports betting site?

Canadians can use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to transact with casinos or sportsbooks seamlessly and relatively anonymously. Crypto deposits and withdrawals are popular at sites such as Bodog with even more gaming sites accepting a wide range of cryptocurrencies.

Live Sports Betting in Canada – How It Works

Live sports betting involves making predictions about events as they’re happening, allowing you to react to current developments during the game. The odds are updated in real-time according to the current state of the game, including scores, possession, and other game events.

Which sports are popular for live betting in Canada?

Most sports that are popular for live wagering are the same ones that Canadians enjoy in general. Ice hockey, football, and basketball, all see a lot of live betting action. Their fast-paced nature makes every play potentially game-changing, providing numerous wagering opportunities at every turn.

bodog live sports betting

Play Live Sports Betting at Bodog

Live sports betting: actionable tips and strategies for success

The main advantage of wagering on live sports is the ability to observe events and trends during the game that can help you make smarter bets. Decisions can be made based on the live game statistics and performance indicators for the match available online.

As a sports bettor, detecting momentum shifts in the game you’re invested in can help you to get ahead of the scoreboard and place your bets timeously. An opposing strategy is to take advantage of odds that may be an overreaction to events such as early scores or player performances.

Raise Your Game with a Diverse Selection of Sports Betting Wagers

Whether you’re placing a simple moneyline bet or high-paying parlay, our handpicked selection of Canadian betting sites has you covered. Your options also include taking season-long futures bets on league winners or fun prop bets on specific events to occur within the game. Choose from these exciting wagering opportunities:

MC Sports betting Infographic 2

Legality of Sports Betting in Canada

Although Canadians have enjoyed legal sports wagering since 1985, the industry started booming with the introduction of single-game betting in August 2021. Before the laws changed, only parlay bets and parimutuel gambling were permitted and run by government agencies such as Loto-Québec.

With nationwide legalization of sports wagering, all ten of Canada’s provinces began to regulate this form of gambling, making it safe to bet online. Today, millions of sports fans in Alberta, Ontario, Québec, and other regions have easy access to the best sports betting sites in Canada.

If you find yourself in any of these Canadian provinces, you can legally bet on sports online.

Province	Legal betting age
Alberta	18+
Manitoba	18+
Québec	18+
British Columbia	19+
Ontario	19+
New Brunswick	19+
Newfoundland	19+
Labrador	19+
Nova Scotia	19+
Prince Edward Island	19+
Saskatchewan	19+

What About Sports Betting in Ontario?

In June 2021, the game changed completely for sports bettors in Ontario. Thanks to Bill C-218 being passed by the Canadian government, single-game sports betting was legalized. This law empowered provinces like Ontario to manage sports betting operations on their own terms.

As the first province to kick off operations on April 4, 2022, Ontario now boasts a growing list of licensed online betting sites where anyone 19 years or older can legally place wagers on sporting events.

These are the top 3 Ontario sports betting sites we recommend:

Bodog – Claim your 100% matched bonus up to $400
CashWin – Get your 100% matched bonus up to $300
GreatWin – Score a 100% bonus up to $150 on your first deposit

Popular sports teams that Ontarians love to bet on

Ontario sports fans show a strong sense of loyalty to their local teams across various leagues, which is based on familiarity and regional pride. This unwavering support for local teams is closely tied to community and a desire to participate in the collective excitement of watching sports together.

For many Ontarians, pride and dedication for home teams often crosses over to sports betting where they like to wager on ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and soccer matches in which they are involved.

Toronto Maple Leafs

This Ontario-based team are a big deal in the NHL, attracting a lot of betting attention. Their rich history and potential for playoff success makes them a popular betting pick among their rowdy fan base.

Toronto Blue Jays

The MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays have a historically versatile squad and a knack for showing flashes of brilliance in the playoffs. Many Ontarians bet on this team to shine in America’s toughest league.

Toronto Raptors

The Raps have always been a popular side, but many fans developed a soft spot for them after winning the 2019 NBA title. Their consistently strong results encourage local support and betting all season long.

Ottawa Senators

Despite not being a hugely successful MHL team, many locals put their faith in the Ottawa Senators as an underdog. Their track record of surprising fans can land bettors with an unexpected win at big odds.

Toronto FC

Toronto FC stands out as a soccer team with a strong fan base in Ontario. Supporters’ groups like the Red Patch Boys help create a lively atmosphere, contributing to the huge home-field advantage at BMO stadium

Forge FC

As one of the founding members of the CPL, Forge FC has established itself as a dominant force in Canadian soccer, having won multiple championships. Their steady play and regular titles make them a solid bet for Ontarians.

Unlock Your Winning Potential: Betting Tips and Strategies for Success

At Maple Casino, you won’t find predictions for the NBA’s next MVP or the winner of the Superbowl. Here is some evergreen advice that can help you make more informed wagering decisions. Follow these seven timeless tips and strategies to enjoy more success at sports betting:

Step 1

Focus on one sport

Learn the ins and outs of one sport rather than betting on multiple sports at once. This will allow you to gain more profound knowledge and potentially become more profitable in the long run.

Step 2

Understand the odds

Look carefully at the odds being offered. How likely is it that your bet will win, and how much will you be paid if it does? Also, compare the odds at numerous casinos to find the best value for your money.

Step 3

Manage your bankroll

Set a daily, weekly or monthly budget for sports wagering and try not to exceed it. Risking too much of your bankroll in a short period is not advised as it can lead to you losing more money than expected.

Step 4

Research and analyze

Conducting thorough research is key to successful sports betting. Make a habit of analyzing team and player statistics, form, injuries, and any other information relevant to the event you want to bet on.

Step 5

Keep track of your bets

Record all of your bets so you can see what’s working and what’s not. This will help you identify strengths and weaknesses in your strategy, and keep improving over time.

Step 6

Claim promotions and bonuses

Canadian sportsbooks offer promotions and bonuses to new and existing customers. Claim these offers to gain an added advantage in terms of bonus cash, free bets and other offers.