Canada Best Sports Betting Sites 2023

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Canada?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in Canada.

The nation's gaming laws have permitted a Canadian betting site to offer wagering on sporting events since the early 1990s, but many new options will soon be available. A change in the Canadian Criminal Code in 1985 made certain forms of sports betting legal in Canada. This amendment made Canada sports gambling legal, provided it was offered in a lottery format.

It meant that parlay wagering - the playing of multiple wagers in one bet - would be the only accepted format of how to gamble on sports in Canada. Provincial lottery corporations were put in charge as regulators of the Canadian sports betting market.

In the early 1990s, lottery-type sports betting in Canada began. These were given various names, depending upon the province location, such as Pro Line, Sport Select, Sports Action and Mise-O-Jeu.

In 2012, British Columbia changed the landscape of sports betting in Canada when the province introduced PlayNow.com, the first Canadian sports betting site that was online. The BC government hired Uk gaming giant Paddy Power to design PlayNow.com, giving Canada online betting sites for the first time. The BC sports betting site is every bit as robust as any of the top US online sports betting sites and will certainly be able to compete with the best Canadian online sportsbooks as single-sports betting is launched in the country.

When it came to online gambling, Canada was now seeing more provinces following BC's lead. Canadian sports bettors across the country were soon being presented with more opportunities for online betting in Canada. Quebec formed a partnership with BC to offer online poker. The betting menu for Mise-O-Jeu, the Canadian sports betting offering the Quebec, was also presented on the site. However, while bettors can create their betting slip online, they still need to physically go to a retail betting site in order to place the wager.

Manitoba also partnered with the BC Lottery Corporation in order to offer Manitoba sports betting via PlayNow.com throughout the province. Canadian bettors residing in Manitoba can even place wagers with their mobile devices.

The province of Alberta launched an online platform, PlayAlberta.ca, earlier this year. They are planning to add Alberta sports betting to it when single-sports betting is launched.

While Ontario currently doesn't offer online sports betting, when single-sports betting gets the go-ahead in Canada, online Canadian sportsbooks will be everywhere in Ontario. The province plans to offer licenses to any Canadian betting sites that meet Ontario's regulatory requirements.

Why Online Sports Betting is Superior to Offline Betting

Old-school betting sites in Canada require that Canadian bettors go to a brick-and-mortar sports betting site in order to place a wager. The best Canadian online betting sites offer the convenience of placing that same bet from the comfort of a player's home, office or wherever they might be at during the course of the day.

By wagering online through the best sportsbooks in Canada that are licensed and regulated by their provincial government, betting in Canada is a safe, secure pastime, and Canadian sports bettors can rest assured that their winning wagers will be honoured.

Are Mobile Sports Betting Apps Available in Canada?

Manitoba is among the few Canadian provinces currently offering mobile sports betting. However, there are currently no mobile sports betting apps legally regulated in Canada. That will dramatically change as single-sports betting is rolled out and many of the best sports betting apps in the US become part of betting in Canada. If you're wondering which sites those might be, don't worry. We've got you covered.

1. 888sport: Rich in live betting options
2. Mr Green: Fast, reliable and secure deposits/withdrawals
3. Bet365: Plenty of simple and easy-to-use features
4. LeoVegas: Bets are just a tap away with their touch ID feature
5. ComeOn: Extensive live betting menu
6. DraftKings: Popular app offers ease of use
7. FanDuel: Rich menu of player prop offerings
8. BetMGM: Known for their competitive odds
9. theScore Bet: Well-established presence in the Canadian market
10. William Hill: Watch live matches on their app
11. BetRivers: Responsive and very easy to use

888sport

The 888sport app offers a quick and easy way to bet with an endless array of pre-match and in-play sports markets to choose from. With "fingerprint" touch ID, logging in is faster than ever before. Bettors can also stream sporting events and bet on the outcome as they unfold on their innovative betting site.

Check out our 888sport Canada review to learn more.

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Mr Green

By downloading the Mr Green app, players can bet on sports. Features offered include an early cash out option, access to live betting and flexi betting. This feature enables bettors to increase their bet choices without being required to increase their stake. In essence, they are risking a percentage of their bet unit. The app is also light and doesn't take up much of a mobile device’s processor.

Check out our Mr Green Canada review to learn more.

Bet365

Bettors can easily navigate to their preferred sports as the intuitive Bet365 Canada app remembers the type of sports users bet on. Players can also favourite specific sports via the A-Z Sports menu for easy access. There's live streaming of over 100,000 games every year. Match Live enables bettors to follow in-play events in real time and monitor bets and stats as the action unfolds.

Check out our Bet365 Canada review

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LeoVegas

A rich selection of in-play options provides LeoVegas Canada customers with a never-ending opportunity for action. LeoVegas offers live streaming of sports events from across the globe. They are known for their lightning-fast mobile app.

Check out our LeoVegas Canada review

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ComeOn

The ComeOn mobile app is as easy to use as it is to download. As a relatively new site only in existence since 2010, ComeOn offers a mobile app experience that feels fresh. It's also sleek and quick to use. It works with all devices and is as intuitive as the ComeOn Canada sportsbook desktop site.

DraftKings

The first mobile app among US online sportsbooks to be licensed outside of Nevada, DraftKings is proving to be the most popular app in the USA regulated sports betting market. Bettors can wager their money on live/in-game bets, cross-sport parlays, moneylines, round robin bets, futures, spread betting and prop bets. And since they're using the same advanced technology as their industry-leading daily fantasy sports product, Canadian bettors can wager with confidence, knowing everything is safe and secure.

FanDuel

FanDuel's app features bets on all major US sports. If they play it, players can (probably) bet it - all from their phone. Whether they like spreads or moneylines, single bets, or five-team parlays, it's all available. The FanDuel Sportsbook app is similar in layout to their desktop site. Player can access all the same promotional offers and sports menu, and even make deposits and withdrawals from their account, all on their mobile device.

BetMGM

The BetMGM app provides real-time betting odds, enhanced offers and plenty of different betting formats from moneyline and point spread bets to parlays and futures, player props and live, in-game plays. It provides easy deposits and withdrawals, daily boosted odds safe and secure transactions and 24/7 access to wagering.

theScore Bet

Taking a unique approach to the regulated US market, theScore Bet is a 100% mobile app. There is no desktop version offered. Expect them to offer the same system to betting in Canada. TheScore Bet provides easy-to-use navigation and the most intuitive layout. Combining their sports new app with their sports betting app, they offer lightning fast score updates and live odds to ensure bettors never miss a beat when they’ve got skin in the game.

William Hill

Sports bettors can access the same great William Hill experience when they're out and about. They simply need to use their existing William Hill account to sign in to their mobile app. William Hill has painstakingly designed a mobile app that is able to offer all of the bells and whistles of their desktop version. Live streaming of games from around the world can also be watched on the app.

BetRivers

The BetRivers App is responsive and easy to use. People with sausage fingers will appreciate the large buttons that make navigating the site a painless experience. Even the greenest of users will have no trouble finding the game they want to bet on. Users of the BetRivers app are able to enjoy the same features as desktop players can access. There's plenty of live streaming and in-play wagering. The BetRivers app also provides players access to statistics to help them make wagering decisions.

Bonuses & Promotions at Canadian Sports Betting Sites

The best Canadian betting sites will entice bettors to sign up via lucrative welcome bonuses. There are three types of signup bonuses that will prove popular. Betting sites in Canada may opt for a risk-free first bet. In this instance, the bettor's first wager is on the house. If it loses, the money is refunded to the player in the form of a free bet.

The second prominent welcome perk is the matching first deposit bonus. In this case, Canadian sports betting sites will provide a set number - let's say $250 - and match a player's first deposit to their account up to that amount.

Another signup bonus offer that Canadian bettors may be afforded is a no-deposit bonus. Just like it sounds, this is free money just for joining a site. The best Canadian betting sites that provide this offer will generally keep that number low, around $10-$20. Regardless, it's a freebie, and that's always a good thing.

Canada Land-Based Sportsbooks & Locations

In Canada, sports betting sites will soon be plentiful as single-sports betting rolls out across the country. Bookies.com offers bettors a go-to guide to the top legal sports betting sites in Canada. This guide breaks down only the best Canadian betting sites, assuring players that they have a safe, trusted environment to submit bets and a strong overall online gambling experience. Dedicated, land-based sportsbooks are not currently available.

Canada Online Sportsbooks

In Canada sports betting, 2021 will be the year of the boom, as single-sports betting changes the wagering landscape. Expect that the best Canadian betting sites will feature some of the top online sportsbooks from around the world. Always check back in with Bookies.com to stay up to date on any new arrivals on the Canadian sports betting scene and to see that latest bonus and promotional offers on tap.

DraftKings Sportsbook

One of the biggest players on the US sports betting scene, DraftKings successfully added sports betting to the company's powerful daily fantasy sports platform. Since DraftKings already has an audience in Canada for its DFS product, that should prove helpful in attracting customers as they enter the Canadian sports betting market. The company has already confirmed plans to set up shop in Canada.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Like DraftKings, FanDuel has combined being a DFS powerhouse with becoming a sportsbook giant. They figure to be one of the most competitive betting sites in Canada. Known for their rich menu of prop bets, parlays and deep bench of promotional offers, FanDuel quickly rose to a place of prominence when the US market opened in 2018.

BetMGM Sportsbook

This resort and gaming giant loudly announced its intentions to enter the Canada sports betting scene when BetMGM hired NHL legend and Canadian sporting icon Wayne Gretzky as a brand ambassador. This move would be akin to getting Michael Jordan to be their endorser across the USA. Gretzky posted on Twitter that Canadians should "get ready" for BetMGM. BetMGM has established a reputation for being among the first sportsbooks to get odds posted on events. They are big players when it comes to prop and parlay wagering.

William Hill Sportsbook

In the sports betting game since 1934, William Hill is the perfect blend of old-school sensibility and cutting-edge technology. They set up their own US company in 2012, operating legal sportsbooks in Nevada, so they were well-prepared to branch out across the country when sports betting was legalized in the USA in 2018. William Hill already has a presence in Canada in the offshore market and should be able to move quickly in as a legal, regulated Canadian sports betting site.

TheScore Bet Sportsbook

Possibly the most intriguing entry into Canada sports betting, theScore Bet hopes to piggyback off its sports news app, which has four million subscribers across Canada. If even one-quarter of that customer base were to add sports betting in Canada to their repertoire, that's one million customers for theScore Bet. They could be a major player among Canadian sports betting sites.

Bet365 Sportsbook

A British-based company with a worldwide sports betting reach, Bet365 lists more than 23 million customers around the globe. Bet365 is a dominant player in a number of countries and figures to be a leader among betting sites in Canada. An industry leader when it comes to live betting, few betting sites offer the vast number of sports markets that Bet365 does. They already have a presence in the country through the offshore market and should be able to easily transition to become a legal, regulated Canada sports betting site.

888sport Sportsbook

Similar to Bet365, 888sport operates in the legal, regulated sports betting industry in the USA and as an offshore betting site in Canada. All indications are that the latter will be changing and 888sport will become one of the legal Canadian betting sites. Their familiarity with Canadians should help make that transition a seamless experience.

Types of Sports Bets Offered in Canada

The most well-known wager in Canada is the parlay bet - combining multiple plays on one wager - since it is currently the only type of wager offered by betting sites in Canada. That will change with single-sports betting. Straight wagers will now be available on the outcome of games, such as moneyline, point spread and over/under bets. As well, Canadian online betting sites will be able to offer individual game and player props, as well as futures, such as NHL futures and NBA futures.

What Sports Leagues Can I Bet On in Canada?

The NHL is the most popular sport in Canada and will be the No. 1 betting sport. Even though there are no Canadian franchises in the league, the NFL runs a close second in terms of a sport that will get plenty of action at the best Canadian betting sites.

Thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors, MLB and the NBA will also prove extremely popular sports for betting in Canada. The CFL is hoping that thanks to Canadian sports betting sites, the league will enjoy a resurgence in popularity.

The MLS and NLL are two other leagues with Canadian franchises that should generate some action from betting in Canada. Likewise, the CPSL and CEBL are hopeful that having the leagues be available at Canadian betting sites will improve awareness and popularity of their leagues.

Where Can I Play Daily Fantasy Sports in Canada?

The two giants in daily fantasy sports, DraftKings and FanDuel, both accept Canadian customers. DraftKings has offered its DFS product in Canada since 2012. This should prove advantageous to both of these companies as they become Canada sportsbooks. Yahoo Fantasy is also popular in Canada. Monkey Knife is available in some Canadian provinces.

How to Sign up and Place a Sports Bet at Canada Sportsbooks

Signing up at a Canadian betting site is a painless process. It generally doesn't take more than a few minutes to complete the task.

1. Choose the Canadian online sportsbook that fits your needs from our recommendations
2. Get to know the new betting platform
3. Supply the required personal information to open a new account
4. Select a username and password
5. Be sure to take the appropriate steps to qualify for any welcome bonus offer
6. Fund your account
7. Place your first bet

Why Trust Bookies' Canadian Sportsbooks Reviews?

Only the most reliable and reputable betting sites in Canada are featured by Bookies.com. Each of the prospective Canadian operators have been studiously reviewed for quality, trustworthiness, ease of use and other key factors to ensure that only the best sites make the cut. That means an enjoyable, safe and hopefully profitable experience for all involved in betting in Canada.

How are Canada Sports Betting Sites Regulated?

Betting sites in Canada are regulated by provincial lottery corporations. The Ontario Lottery Corporation, British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Loto-Quebec govern wagering in those provinces. The Western Canada Lottery Corporation regulates all betting in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Atlantic Lottery oversees gambling in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Canadian Sports Betting Sites Reputation

The betting sites in Canada that are recommended by Bookies.com must be legal, regulated and proven capable of enduring the scrutiny of provincial license regulators who make the gaming laws in Canada. Their record of payouts must be impeccable, their betting lines fair and competitive, and they must provide resources to bettors for problem gambling.

Accessibility

Without quality software that is quick, intuitive and responsive, Canadian sports betting sites won't receive a nod from Bookies.com as a place where Canadians should be wagering. Any Canadian betting site that can't deliver first-rate service that never falters and or quality internet access isn't getting the stamp of approval.

Reliability

Anytime you entrust your hard-earned money to an online company, it's essential that they are trustworthy. With betting in Canada, it's vital that customers can be certain that the company they are dealing with will live up their promises. In Canada, online betting sites recommended by Bookies.com will be the most trusted in the industry.

Site and Mobile Experience

To be a Canadian online sportsbook that gets the seal of approval from Bookies.com, they must have a proven track record of dependability both with their desktop and mobile sites. The best Canadian betting sites offer a mobile experience that provides every facet of their operation that customers can access on their desktop sites.

Generous and Ongoing Sports Bet Bonuses

Every betting site offers some form of signup bonus. They might welcome customers via a risk-free first bet, a matching first deposit bonus or a no-deposit bonus. The best Canadian betting sites will go above and beyond, though. They will deliver ongoing bonus and promotional offers like refer-a-friend bonuses, reload bonuses, parlay insurance and boosted odds.

Payment Options

The best Canadian online sportsbooks will make available a variety of payment options. There will be everything from traditional payment methods such as Play+, credit and debit cards, to online payment services, e-wallets and more.

Variety of Games to Bet On

Top Canadian sports betting sites will offer wagering on all the staples of North American sports, whether that be the NFL, NHL, MLB or NBA. To be considered elite in Canada, sports betting sites will also provide betting markets for niche sports, whether that be Australian Rules football, Gallagher Premiership Rugby or Diamond League track and field.

Better Odds

Top bettors like to shop odds. In order to shop odds, those betting lines must be posted promptly and be competitive with other betting sites. A top Canadian betting site will meet all of these conditions.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Along with offering numerous options for both deposits and withdrawals, top betting sites in Canada won't charge fees for these payment processes. They will ensure that all payment methods are processed without delay.

Payout Process

Nothing irks a sports bettor or destroys a site's reputation more rapidly than a slow payout process. When a bettor hits a winner, they want to get paid. The best betting sites in Canada pay promptly and accurately.

Security at Online Sportsbooks in Canada

To be considered a top Canadian betting site, the commitment to security and privacy must be impeccable. The information provided by players must be protected beyond reproach. Secure firewalls, several layers of robust security mechanisms, technologies and processes will all be implemented.

Top 5 Canada Sports Teams to Bet On

Traditionally, Canada's top sports teams skate on ice. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens trace their roots back to the birth of the NHL and even further. The NBA's Toronto Raptors and MLB's Toronto Blue Jays can truly lay claim to the title of Canada's teams, considering they're the only Canadian franchises in their respective leagues.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Often referred to as Canada's team, the support of Leaf Nation extends from coast to coast. That widespread popularity often impacts the betting odds on the Leafs. They are generally overrated in NHL futures odds because so much money is wagered on them to win. It artificially lowers the team's odds. The Leafs haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1967.

Montreal Canadiens

The Habs have won more Stanley Cups than any other franchise (24). They won their first title in 1915-16, two seasons before the launch of the NHL. Montreal fans are passionate about their club, and that means they'll keep Quebec betting sites taking bets on the Canadiens even when logic suggests its more of a donation than a wager.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors made history in 2018-19, becoming the first team from outside the USA to win the NBA Finals. Since arriving as an NBA expansion franchise in 1994, the Raptors have caused an explosion in the popularity of basketball in Canada. That's also led to an increase in basketball betting across the country.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays captured the passion of a nation when they won back-to-back World Series in 1992-93. Whenever the Jays make a run at the pennant, the entire country is riveted to the show. With a young up-and-coming team, the Jays are poised to have Ontario betting sites once again taking wagers on their every pitch.

Vancouver Canucks

The third Canadian city to be awarded an NHL franchise as part of the 1970 expansion, the Canucks are followed by a passionate fan base. When the city was passed over for the 1967 NHL expansion, Vancouverites responded by boycotting the beer sponsor of Hockey Night In Canada. Whenever Vancouver makes a Stanley Cup run, Canada's left coast obsesses over the Canucks.

Canada Sports Betting History

1969: The Canadian Criminal Code is amended to permit provincial and federal governments to run lotteries. In 1976, the city of Montreal runs a lottery to help defray the costs of playing host to the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.

1985: The Canadian Criminal Code is amended to permit sports betting to be offered in a lottery-style format. Wagers must be played in multiple formats to be legal.

1992: Pro-Line, the new online terminal sports lottery from Sport Select, launches in Canada. They offer betting on the NHL, NFL and MLB, among other leagues.

1995: Over/under wagering added to Pro-Line.

2004: The BC Lottery Corporation takes Sports Action, its version of Pro-line, online. This is the first time that online sports betting is offered in Canada.

2020: Bill C-218, The Safe Regulated Sports Betting Act, is introduced in the House of Commons and given first reading.

2021: Bill C-218 passes following the third reading in the Senate of Canada. The bill is passed without amendment. Royal Assent is then given by the office of the Governor-General of Canada, enabling the bill to become a law.

August 27, 2021: Date set by ruling government for single-game sports betting to go live.

Canada Online Casinos

While retail casino gambling in Canada dates back to the 1990s, online casino gambling is still relatively new. BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec have all launched online casino gambling within the last 10-15 years. That will all change when single-sports betting is introduced by betting sites in Canada. Expectations are that the betting sites coming into Canada will be permitted to offer both online casino gambling and online poker.

Canada Racebooks

Betting on horse racing, already legal in Canada, was excluded from Bill C-218. The sport will continue to be regulated by the Canadian Parimutuel Agency. As far as online racebooks, Horse Player Interactive (HPI) is the only game in town across Canada. It's free to join and they offer wagering on racing from Canada, the USA, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Dubai and Japan.

Responsible Gambling

Betting sites in Canada take responsible gambling seriously. Strong identity and age verification processes are important responsible gambling measures intended to protect underage consumers and those who have self-excluded from online gambling by preventing them from accessing operator websites. Other measures featured include restrictions on marketing and game designs so they do not appeal to minors, strong identity and age verification processes and requirements for voluntary self-exclusion.