Best Betting Sites Canada – Compare The Best New Online Sportsbooks in 2022
Best Canada Betting Sites in 2022
Why Trust Best Sports Betting Canada?
- Province-by-province betting guides
- Impartial sportsbook reviews
- Expert sports betting guides
Reviews of the Best Betting Sites in Canada
The top six sport betting sites in Canada have unique features and attributes. We have broken down each online sportsbook in detail to help you find the best option for your needs.
BetMGM is our choice of the best online sportsbook in Canada. It is only available in Ontario right now, but will expand into other parts of the country as it rolls out locally regulated markets. That will be an exciting development, as this is a superb all-round sportsbook.
BetMGM offers loads of sports betting options, competitive betting odds and exciting features such as same-game parlays, early cash out, a tool that allows you to edit open bets and live streaming of NHL, NBA and MLB games.
Entain and MGM Resorts International, two of the world’s largest gambling companies, joined forces to create BetMGM. It runs on in-house technology provided by Entain, which creates an impressive user betting experience. BetMGM offers a long list of bonuses and promotions for Canadian players, along with convenient deposits, secure payouts and 24/7 customer service, so we rate it as the best Canadian sports betting site and mobile app.
Pros:
- Live streaming of NHL games
- Sophisticated online sports betting platform
- Prices boosts each and every day
- Excellent loyalty program
- Lots of bonuses and promotions
Cons:
- Covers fewer sports than some key rivals
- Not as quick to process payouts as Bet365
Bet365 is the world’s most popular online gambling brand. The company was founded in the UK back in 2000, and it has built up a vast global empire. It is the market leader in many countries across Europe, Asia and South America.
The company operated in Canada’s grey market for many years, offering online bettors CAD deposits and withdrawals via popular local methods such as Interac and iDebit. Bet365 gained a Canadian gambling license to launch in Ontario’s new regulated market in 2022. It has built up a large customer base in the province.
Bet365 is famous for pioneering in-play betting online, live streaming, early cash out and several other sportsbook features. It also offers instant payouts, 24/7 customer service, great bonuses, instant payouts and a world-class interface. You will find a huge volume of wagering options on thousands of games each week at Bet365.
Pros:
- Outstanding live betting platform
- Live streaming available
- Partial cash out & same-game parlays
- Instant payouts via certain methods
- Very broad betting limits
Cons:
- Does not have a loyalty program
- Fewer ongoing promotions than some competitors
Betway is a famous online sportsbook owned by the NYSE-listed Super Group. It has more than 2.3 million customers spread across 25 countries. Betway has operated in the Canadian grey market for many years, and it has lots of customers in the market. It recently gained a license from iGaming Ontario to launch a regulated betting site in the province.
The sportsbook operates on white-label technology from SBTech. That allows Betway to cover around 30 different sports in remarkable depth, and it offers a strong user betting experience.
Features on offer include live streaming, a same game parlay builder, an extensive stats database, early cash out, Pick 6 contests and the ability to modify open bets. Its welcome bonuses are very competitive too.
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus and promotions
- Takes bets lots of different sports
- Offers an “Add to Bet” feature
- Legitimate, trustworthy sports betting site
Cons:
- No loyalty program
- Poor responsible gambling record
Swedish entrepreneurs founded LeoVegas in 2011 after noticing a gap in the market for a high-quality mobile casino. It later added a Kambi-powered online sportsbook to broaden its offering for mobile bettors. The Kambi betting platform is very polished and user-friendly, and it also covers dozens of sports in depth.
LeoVegas has operated in the Canadian market for several years, and it has a license from iGaming Ontario too. If you are looking for a world-class casino and sportsbook rolled into one, LeoVegas is an excellent option.
It provides a broad selection of banking options, an excellent loyalty program and a powerful mobile app. You will find some exciting bonuses if you visit LeoVegas too.
Pros:
- Elite mobile app for sports betting and casino gaming
- Lots of secure deposit and withdrawal options
- Interesting loyalty program with 60 levels
- Excellent record for security
Cons:
- Does not have a dedicated desktop betting site
- Desktop site focused primarily on casino gaming
A Swedish bookmaker called Anders Ström set up Unibet in his London apartment back in the 1990s. It is now one of the world’s largest online gambling companies, with thousands of employees around the world.
Unibet also created Kambi, the white-label technology provider that powers sportsbooks such as LeoVegas, Royal Panda and BetRivers. The company is now called Kindred Group, which is listed in Stockholm, but Unibet is its leading brand.
Unibet spun Kambi off as a standalone business several years ago, but it still runs on Kambi technology. That means it provides a very similar user betting experience to LeoVegas and Royal Panda. Unlike LeoVegas, it has a full desktop site, along with a mobile site and a native iOS and Android app.
Unibet has followed a similar trajectory to Bet365 and LeoVegas in Canada: operating in the grey market before moving into Ontario’s new, regulated market as a licensed operator. It offers a superb online casino alongside its feature-rich sportsbook.
Pros:
- A very well-established and trustworthy brand
- Provides inventive bonuses and promotions
- Easy-to-use interface with lots of features
- Quick, secure payouts for Canadian sports bettors
Cons:
- Customer service is not 24/7
- Does not offer a unique user betting experience
Royal Panda has targeted customers in Canada since it launched an online casino back in 2014. It holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority, so it has always been deemed a reliable, trusted operator. It added an online sportsbook a few years ago. In October 2017, LeoVegas purchased Royal Panda for €120 million.
The Royal Panda online casino moved to LeoVegas’ Rhino platform in 2021, and its sportsbook is also powered by Kambi, so it offers an almost identical user experience to LeoVegas. However, this is a better option for desktop users, whereas LeoVegas is better suited to mobile players.
Royal Panda also holds an iGaming Ontario license, and it has been available as a grey market gambling brand elsewhere in Canada for several years.
Pros:
- Excellent desktop casino and sportsbook
- Many betting options on leagues such as the NHL and CFL
- Quick to release sports betting line
- Secure, simple withdrawal process
Cons:
- Does not have a mobile app
- Smaller bonuses than LeoVegas
FAQs about Sports Betting in Canada
Is sports betting legal in Canada?
How can I bet on sports online in Canada?
What are the best betting sites Canada?
What is the most trusted Canada betting site?
Is sports betting taxable in Canada?
What sports do Canadians bet on?
Is BetMGM available in Canada?
Is Bet365 illegal in Canada?
Is Betway legal in Canada?
Comparing the Best Betting Sites Canada
This chart helps you quickly compare the best sites for sports betting in Canada. It highlights the flagship bonuses they provide, the number of sports they cover and the key features they provide.
Sportsbook
Sign-Up Bonus
Sports to Bet On
Live Betting
Live Streaming
Betting App
BetMGM
Up to $1,000 Back if First Bet Loses
20+
Bet365
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Free Bets
30+
Betway
100% up to $200
30+
LeoVegas
100% up to $1,000 + $75 Free Bet
30+
Unibet
Risk-Free Bet up to $500
30+
Royal Panda
50% Matched Free Bet up to $50
30+
Is Sports Betting Legal in Canada?
Canadian sports fans have been placing bets abled online for many years. Hundreds of offshore sportsbooks have actively targeted Canadians ever since online gambling website took off in the 1990s. The federal government never made it illegal for Canadians to use betting sites based overseas, so the likes of Bet365 and Unibet actively targeted bettors across the country with CAD accounts and bonuses.
These online sports betting sites are not regulated by federal or provincial authorities. For that reason, Canadians chose high-quality sportsbooks that held licenses from powerful regulators like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. American bettors did not have that luxury, so were forced to take their chances with unregulated offshore bookies based in Costa Rica.
The only way to enjoy online sports betting with a locally regulated brand was to visit a website run by the provincial government, such as PlayNow in BC or PROLINE+ in Ontario. They could only accept bets on parlays with at least three selections, so overseas sports betting sites were far more popular.
That all changed when the federal government passed the Safe & Regulated Sports Betting Act in August 2021. It means that Canada legalized sports betting, so a Canadian sportsbook can now accept single-game sports bets. Ontario has already rolled out a competitive sports betting market featuring regulated brands such as BetMGM, Bet365, Betway, LeoVegas and Royal Panda, while the lottery-controlled sportsbooks in other provinces now offer a broad suite of single-game betting options.
Canada Sports Betting Laws Explained
Betting on the outcome of a single sporting event was outlawed in 1892 under Section 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. That prevented sportsbooks from setting up shop in Canada, but it was perfectly legal for anyone to use sites based abroad. The federal government amended the Criminal Code in 2021 by passing the Safe & Regulated Sports Betting Act:
- Removes the long-standing ban on betting on the outcome of “any race or fight, or on a single sport event or athletic contest”.
- Allows lottery-controlled sportsbooks to accept single game sports bets.
- Hands individual provinces and territories the power to launch their own locally-regulated, private sports betting markets.
- Allows provinces and territories to set their own tax rates and licensing frameworks.
Single-Game Betting in Canada: Bill C-218
Prior to 2021, lottery-controlled sportsbooks such as PROLINE+, Mis-o-jeu+ and PlayNow could only accept parlay betting with three or more legs. For example, you could bet on the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens and the Canucks all to win on the same night, but you could not place a straight bet on the Maple Leafs to win.
It is difficult to compile a winning parlay, as the house edge increases each time you add a selection. For that reason, most Canadians preferred using reputable overseas online sports betting sites like Bet365 and Unibet. The Canadian government estimated that Canadians were spending $10 billion per year at offshore sportsbooks.
The authorities had no oversight of the sportsbooks, and they did not earn any tax revenue, so the government decided to allow provinces to roll out single game wagering. It passed Bill C-218 in 2021, and it swiftly gained Royal Assent, becoming the Safe & Regulated Sports Betting Act, so this made single game betting legal.
It permits individual provinces and territories to launch their own locally-regulated, private sports betting markets. Ontario has already taken the plunge, and other parts of the country are gearing up to host regulated betting sites in Canada.
Is Sports Betting Taxable in Canada?
You do not have to pay tax on winnings earned from sports betting. Canada does not deem profits earned from gambling to be taxable income. That stands in contrast to the United States, where the IRS demands a cut of all winnings.
The only exception is if you are a professional gambler. That will only apply to a small minority of Canadians. The vast majority of people enjoying casino online gaming or sports betting in Canada will not be required to pay any tax.
Canadian Provinces & Territories’ Sports Betting Info
Retail sports betting is now widely available across Canada at lottery-controlled venues such as Proline and Mise-o-jeu. Seven provinces – British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec – offered single-game online sports wagering immediately via their government-controlled sites.
Alberta was next out of the gate, and Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon then legalized single-event betting at retail venues in November 2021. The last province to take the plunge was Nova Scotia, where the Atlantic Lottery Corp. started taking single-game bets in February 2022.
Province
Legal betting age
Online sports betting
Retail sports betting
Alberta
18
British Columbia
19
Manitoba
18
New Brunswick
19
Newfoundland and Labrador
19
Northwest Territories
19
Nova Scotia
19
Nunavut
19
Ontario
19
Quebec
18
Prince Edward Island
19
Saskatchewan
19
Yukon
19
Our Criteria for Choosing a Top Sportsbook in Canada
Millions of Canadians have access to a vast array of online sportsbooks. We reviewed all the leading betting sites in Canada before whittling it down to the six elite sports betting Canada sites recommended on this page. Our experts on these key criteria when evaluating the overall quality of the sports betting sites in Canada:
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Choice of Sports
We looked for sportsbooks in Canada that cover a wide range of sports. The six best Canadian sportsbooks we identified provide very strong NHL, CFL, NBA, MLB and NFL coverage, and they also take bets on popular Canadian sports like lacrosse and MMA. Sports betting sites such as Betway, Bet365 and Unibet cover an immense selection of sports leagues and tournaments from around the world too. -
Betting Markets
The best betting sites in Canada offer hundreds of markets on a single hockey, soccer, football or basketball game. That includes alternate lines, prop bets and lots of same game parlay combinations. -
Quality of Odds
We looked out for betting sites in Canada that take a low house edge on their moneylines, puck lines and point spreads. You will find competitive odds at the sports betting Canada sites we have chosen. We advise signing up with a few of them to ensure you always get the best terms on each game. -
Bonuses & Promotions
The top sportsbooks in Canada provide generous sign-up bonuses. They include deposit match offers, matched first bets and risk-free first bets. The leading sports betting Canada sites also provide lots of additional promotions for their customers on a continual basis, including odds boosts, free bets, money back specials, prize draws and loyalty programs. -
Safety & Security
We have only recommended licensed, legitimate sports betting sites in Canada that have flawless security records. Their sites are heavily encrypted and protected by powerful firewalls, ensuring your details are always safe. -
Payment Methods
The best Canadian sportsbooks provide lots of convenient payment methods, such as Interac, Instadebit, iDebit, MuchBetter and ecoPayz. They offer free deposits and withdrawals, and they make the process smooth and simple. -
Withdrawal Speeds
We tested out the withdrawal speeds at the various betting sites in Canada. We were impressed to note that operators such as Bet365 provided instant withdrawals via certain methods. None of the sports betting in Canada sites featured on this page will keep you waiting long to receive your money. -
User Experience
The overall user experience is a key factor when reviewing sports betting sites in Canada. We looked for sportsbooks that make it quick and easy for you to place bets, whether you are using a desktop or a mobile. The leading sites also provide additional features to improve the experience, such as live streaming, stats and bet editing. -
Customer Support
Friendly 24/7 customer support is very valuable if you ever need help from a sports betting Canada site. Operators like Unibet, Bet365 and BetMGM provide superb customer service. They answer questions quickly and diligently.
How to Sign Up to the Best Betting Sites Canada
It is easy to sign up for a betting account with a top Canadian sportsbook. Just follow these steps:
Click here to visit BetMGM, the best site for sports betting in Canada and then hit the “REGISTER” button to begin the sign-up process.
Enter an email address and choose a password.
Fill in the registration form with your personal information.
The final section requires you to provide an address and phone number. You must then accept the terms and conditions.
Click the green button at the bottom of the form to submit it. You should be approved straight away, but it may need supporting documents. If so, upload them using the portal provided. When the account is approved, you can make your first deposit, claim a welcome bonus and start betting.
Main Sports and Leagues to Bet on in Canada
The best sites offering sports betting in Canada cover more than 30 sports. That includes popular sports like football, hockey, basketball and baseball, along with reasonably rare sports such as squash, water polo, badminton and alpine skiing. These are the most popular sports and leagues to bet on:
NHL
You will be able to bet at NHL betting sites on every game featuring teams such as the Canadiens, Canucks, Flames, Jets, Maple Leafs, Oilers and Senators at new betting sites Canada. They offer a moneyline, a puck line and an over/under goals line, plus alternate lines, prop bets, correct scores, same game parlays, bets on individual periods and live bets.
Many offer live streaming of NHL games too. BetMGM is a superb all-round sportsbook for NHL fans, with some exciting pre-game and in-play wagering options.
NFL / CFL
You can bet on every CFL and NFL game at best betting sites Canada. BetMGM stands out once again by offering one of the best betting odds and plenty of CFL and NFL betting options on pro football.
NBA
Toronto Raptors fans will find a wealth of NBA wagering options at the new betting sites Canada. You can stream the games live and choose from a huge variety of in-play markets. The best sportsbooks offer specific bonuses for Raptors fans and NBA bettors too.
MLB
You can place moneyline, run line, total runs bets and props on Major League Baseball team at the leading betting sites in Canada. They make a big deal of Toronto Blue Jays games, but you should find a strong selection on all the action. Once again, BetMGM stands out by offering live streaming of MLB games and loads of great live betting options.
Soccer
You can bet on hundreds of soccer games each week at the top sites for sports betting in Canada. Bet365 is a fantastic soccer betting site, as it offers a huge volume of bet types on games taking place around the world, but Unibet, Betway and LeoVegas are also very strong.
You will be able to place bets such as the moneyline, total goals, Asian handicaps, standard handicaps, both teams to score and draw no bet on MLS games featuring teams such as Toronto FC, CF Montreal and Vancouver Whitecaps.
UFC
There are lots of passionate UFC fans in Canada. You can place bets on the moneyline, the method of victory, total rounds and the round in which the fight will finish at the best sportsbooks. Betway is an excellent UFC betting site.
Esports
Esports betting is permitted in Canada, allowing you to wager on games such as CS:GO, League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant and Overwatch. Betting options include the result, maps betting, handicaps and player props. Bet365 has built a terrific esports betting section.
Horse Racing
You can bet on international horse racing at grey market sports betting sites in Canada. They take bets on horse racing in countries such as the United States, the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and South Africa. Locally regulated betting sites in Ontario cannot currently accept bets on horse racing.
Golf
Golf betting is very popular in Canada. The best sportsbooks in Canada take bets on the winner of a tournament, 2-ball matchups, 3-balls, a top-5 finish, a top-10 finish, a top-20 finish, to make or miss the cut and various props. You can continue betting in-play when the tournament is in progress. We like Unibet for golf betting in Canada.
DFS
The federal government has never made it illegal for Canadians to use offshore DFS sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel. They are reasonably popular, allowing sports fans to enter contests on sports such as hockey and football.
However, those sites have stopped running DFS contests in Ontario. The new regulations require all betting activity to be totally ring-fenced inside the province, and there is not enough liquidity right now to host contests. DFS enthusiasts in other parts of Canada can still enter contests at DraftKings and FanDuel.
Other Sports
You will often find more than 20 additional sports at the best betting sites Canada. The most popular sports include winter sports like curling and skiing, lacrosse, cricket, rugby league, rugby union and boxing. You will find a strong choice of bet types on those sports at operators like Bet365, Unibet and Betway.
Popular Markets at the Best Betting Sites in Canada
The best sports betting in Canada sites regularly offer hundreds of markets on a single hockey game, soccer game or football game. The betting options fall into six broad categories:
Moneyline
This is a bet on the outcome of a sporting event. For example, you might bet on the Maple Leafs to beat the Red Wings, Toronto FC to draw with CF Montreal or Felix Auger-Aliassime to beat Carlos Alcaraz. Moneyline bets are available on every game.
Point Spread / Puck Line
The best sportsbooks will give the stronger team a 1.5-goal handicap on a hockey game. That creates a puck line, and you can bet on either team to cover it – such as Calgary Flames -1.5 vs. Seattle Kraken or Seattle +1.5 vs. Calgary. The offer point spreads on football games and run lines on baseball games, which is the same concept.
Totals
Sportsbooks in Canada set a total goals, runs or points line on each game, and you can bet on over or under. For example, you might find betting odds of -105 on under 5.5 goals in an NHL game and -115 on over 5.5 goals. There will be alternate totals too.
Props
The best sportsbooks offer dozens of prop bets on NHL, NFL, MLS, MLB and NBA games. You can bet on player props, such as Auston Matthews to score a goal, or game props, such as the highest scoring period.
Parlays
You can place parlay bets on any of the sports covered at Canadian betting sites. Just add two or more picks to your bet slip, and you will see the combined betting odds available. Alternative options include teasers on football and basketball, and round robins on any sport.
Futures
Futures bets run throughout the season, so they are not dictated by the result of a single game. Examples include a team to win the Stanley Cup, the Grey Cup, the Super Bowl, the NBA Championship or the World Series. You can also bet on whether teams will make the playoffs and the number of wins they will earn, along with player awards like the Hart Memorial Trophy.
Live Betting at the Best Betting Sites Canada
New betting sites Canada take live bets on markets like the moneyline, puck line, point spread, totals and props. You can watch the start of a game, determine how you think it will end and place in-play bets. The odds will change according to the score and how well each team is playing.
Bonuses Available at Canada Betting Sites
The best Canadian bookmakers will offer prospective customers a generous welcome bonus as an incentive. It is a competitive market, so sign-up bonuses help betting sites stand out. They then provide additional bonuses for all customers, which are designed to keep you coming back.
Match Deposit Bonuses
This is a common welcome bonus. The sportsbook will match a percentage of your first deposit – such as 50% or 100% with sportsbook bonus funds. There will always be a limit on the amount you can receive in free bet credits. It could be $200 or perhaps $500, for instance. You then need to play the bonus money through a certain number of times before withdrawing any profits you earn.
Matched First Bet
Some sportsbooks will match your first bet as opposed to your first deposit. For example, you might deposit $500 and wager $200 on a hockey game. You would then receive $200 in free bet credits.
No Deposit Bonuses
Some sportsbooks may occasionally give out no deposit bonuses. That means they will give you free bet credits without requiring you to hand over any of your own money. You then need to complete a playthrough requirement – which is typically high – before cashing out any profits left over.
Risk-Free Bets
The sportsbook will refund you if your first bet loses. Some sportsbooks pay the refund in cash, so you can withdraw it and walk away. However, most refund you with bonus credits, and you need to complete a 1x rollover requirement before withdrawing. If that is the case, you would need to play the funds through at +100 (2.00) or longer to win back the money you lost.
Promotions for Existing Customers
Free bets, risk-free wagers, parlay profit boosts, parlay bet insurance, odds boosts, profit boosts and contests are among the additional promotions available at the best betting sites in Canada. Some also offer loyalty programs, allowing you to earn points whenever you place a bet. The points can eventually be traded in for free bets.
Payment Methods available at Canada Betting Sites
The top sites and apps for sports betting in Canada offer a long list of convenient deposit and withdrawal methods. These are the main options you might find.
eWallet Betting Options
This is a popular way to fund an online sportsbook. You can use PayPal, ecoPayz or MuchBetter at some of the leading sites for sports betting in Canada, which means you do not need to enter your card details on a web form. Some sites may accept Skrill and Neteller too.
Traditional Payment Methods
The most popular traditional payment methods at Canadian bookmakers are Interac, Instadebit, iDebit, Visa and MasterCard. Those options have always been available at grey market sportsbooks, and they are also available at the locally regulated new betting sites Canada that have launched in Ontario over the past year. You should be able to use them for instant deposits and quick withdrawals, with no fees charged.
Crypto Betting Options
Some betting sites accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Tether and USDC. Established European betting sites like Unibet, Bet365, Betway and LeoVegas do not accept crypto, and nor do American sportsbooks like BetMGM and FanDuel.
They are mainly available for deposits and withdrawals at sportsbooks based in the Caribbean and Central America, but they may be offered at the best Canadian sportsbooks in future if crypto becomes more universally accepted.
Canada Sports Betting Apps & Mobile Sites
You can download iPhone betting apps through the App Store or Android betting apps through Google Play. The best betting apps are optimized for mobile use, so you can login quickly and bet on sports like hockey, football, basketball and baseball from anywhere in Canada. It makes the betting process simple and convenient, and it ensures you never miss the chance to place a wager.
Most leading sportsbooks offer a native mobile app. If that is not possible, you can use a mobile version of the site. For example, Royal Panda has a mobile site, which behaves similarly to an app.
The Best Betting Site in Canada
We rate BetMGM as the best site for sports betting in Canada right now. It offers an outstanding user experience, with lots of features and live streaming of NHL and NBA games. The odds are competitive, its customer service is helpful, payouts are secured and it has a trustworthy reputation. It also has an elite online casino.
If you sign up with BetMGM today, you will receive a large welcome bonus and a variety of additional offers. It is only available in Ontario right now, so if you are based in another province or territory, sign up with one of the other new betting sites Canada featured on this page.