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James Wright
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Betting on football is an exceptionally popular pastime in Canada. While the CFL is the national league, most of the focus at sportsbooks is instead on the noisy neighbours, where the NFL – the world’s premier football competition – can be found.

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On this page, we’ll show you the best football betting sites in Canada, plus we’ll be furnishing you with plenty more information on betting on football. Keep reading to find out more.

Contents

List of the Best Football Betting Sites 2023

Let’s jump straight in and look at the best football betting sites in Canada, which our football betting experts have picked after extensive research:

  1. Lucky Block – The number one football betting site in Canada
  2. Powbet – Giant array of football betting options
  3. 1Bet – Great for cryptocurrency users
  4. WeltBet – Above average odds consistently offered
  5. Club Riches – Superb live football betting platform
  6. 31Bet – Great range of sports betting bonuses
  7. 1Good.Bet – Some of the highest parlay payouts around
  8. Rabona – Great for betting on NCAA football
  9. Cobrabet – Fantastic CFL betting options
  10. BetiBet – Take part in several tournaments and contests

Reviews of the Best Football Sportsbooks

Want to find out more about our top online sportsbooks for betting on football in Canada? If so, we’ve briefly reviewed them all below.

1. Bodog – The Number One Football Betting Site in Canada

Bodog Football Betting

If you’re looking for the best place to bet on football in Canada, look no further than Bodog. Football betting fans at Bodog will find everything they could hope for, including an impressive array of betting options for the NFL, CFL, and NCAAF. What’s more, most football games – including all NFL ones – are available to bet on live at the exceptional Bodog live betting platform.

There’s also great news when it comes to the football betting odds, as they’re nearly always above average. This is the case for both the pre-game and live markets. Like to also bet on other sports? Aside from betting on football, you’ll also have the chance to bet on basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, and much more.

Pros:

  • The best place for betting on football in Canada
  • Great range of bonuses offered
  • Desktop and mobile websites look fantastic
  • Exceptional live betting platform
  • Huge range of other sports also covered

Cons:

  • Not available in Quebec
  • Limited range of depositing options

2. Stake.com – Giant Array of Football Betting Options

Stake.com Football Betting

Head over to Stake.com and you’ll find a huge array of football betting options, including pre-game and live football betting, as well as futures betting. This isn’t just the case for the NFL – NCAAF and CFL also have superb coverage as well. What’s more, Stake.com has the rights to stream NFL games in Canada.

Other reasons to play at Stake.com include the fantastic website, which is one of the best-looking football betting sites we’ve seen, and the great mobile betting experience, accessible via any mobile browser. Plenty of promotions are also available, including giveaways and boosted winnings, plus crypto fans will find a giant range of crypto depositing options.

Pros:

  • Huge range of football betting options
  • Live NFL streaming available
  • Desktop website looks and feels amazing
  • Superb mobile betting experience
  • Plentiful cryptocurrency depositing options

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on football
  • Customer support can be slow to reply

3. BetOnline – Great for Cryptocurrency Users

BetOnline Football Betting

Is your number one priority finding a football betting site that offers loads of crypto depositing options? If so, check out BetOnline, which offers 18 different cryptos, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, and Ethereum. Those who prefer betting on football using more traditional banking options will also find a few non-crypto methods available too.

As with all other names on this list, you’ll find plenty of options for betting on football at BetOnline, with betting on the sport offered both pre-game and live. There are also some seriously impressive bonuses, which can include deposit match bonuses and free bets, plus the prices offered on football betting are generally decent.

Pros:

  • The top choice for cryptocurrency users
  • Loads of football betting options
  • Superb live betting on football
  • Great range of bonuses and promotions
  • Fair odds nearly always offered

Cons:

  • No mobile app for football betting
  • Some complaints online of confiscated winnings

4. XBet – Above Average Odds Consistently Offered

XBet Football Betting

Looking for a site that nearly always offers fantastic prices for betting on football? If so, pay a visit to XBet, which consistently tops the list of prices being offered, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck. These high prices are allied with a solid selection of football betting options, making XBet a top choice for football fans.

XBet also offers several other selling points, such as some decent bonuses and some really exciting contests, which pit you against other betting enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the site isn’t the best looking, but it works perfectly and offers a highly intuitive betting experience. This is the case for both pre-game and live betting on football.

Pros:

  • Fantastic football prices usually offered
  • Solid selection of football betting options
  • Intuitive betting experience
  • Several nice sports betting bonuses
  • Exciting contests regularly available

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on football
  • Not the most attractive looking sportsbook

5. MyBookie – Superb Live Football Betting Platform

MyBookie Football Betting

Do you like to enhance the excitement of football by betting live on games? If so, you should consider signing up with MyBookie, which has the best live betting platform around. You’ll find a huge array of football betting options on their live betting platform, with odds that change quickly and a layout that makes placing bets simple.

Of course, pre-game betting is also offered on all NFL and CFL games, as well as many NCAAF games too. In terms of bonuses, there are a few decent ones to claim, plus there’s a great VIP scheme to reward the most regular players. However, check that MyBookie accept your preferred depositing option before signing up, as their list of accepted methods is small.

Pros:

  • Fantastic for live betting on football
  • Intuitive live betting platform
  • Large range of football betting options
  • Several decent bonuses
  • VIP scheme to reward regular players

Cons:

  • No mobile app for football betting
  • Not many depositing options

6. Everygame – Great Range of Sports Betting Bonuses

Everygame Football Betting

Several of the football betting sites on this list have great line-ups of betting bonuses, and one of them is Everygame. While the bonuses can change, they regularly offer deposit match bonuses to new and existing customers, as well as parlay boosts, free bets, and more. You’ll also find several casino and poker bonuses as well.

There can’t be any denying the fact that Everygame isn’t a very attractive site, with a simple design and clunky elements, but look past this and you’ll find a site that offers great usability, making betting a breeze. Their coverage of football is great, and we’re particularly impressed by their detailed coverage of NCAA football.

Pros:

  • Fantastic line-up of sports betting bonuses
  • Exceptionally simple to place bets
  • Strong coverage of NCAA football
  • Impressive selection of NFL prop bets
  • Fair odds consistently offered

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on football
  • Pretty unattractive website

7. BetNow – Some of the Highest Parlay Payouts Around

BetNow Football Betting

Single-game betting might now be legal in Canada, but there are many people who still love to place parlay bets on football. If you head over to BetNow, you’ll regularly find that their parlay odds are boosted, giving you bigger prizes when your parlays are winners. A huge array of other bonuses and promotions are also usually offered, plus there are many contests.

Football is covered in detail at BetNow, with a staggering number of betting markets on the NFL, CFL, and NCAAF. Unfortunately, many other sports don’t receive the same close attention, so only bet here if you’re not looking for a variety of sports betting options. Don’t expect anything too fancy either, as this website is one of the most stripped down around.

Pros:

  • High parlay odds usually offered
  • Many other bonuses and promotions
  • Several contests usually available
  •  Huge range of football betting options
  • Decent racebook also available

Cons:

  • No mobile app for football betting
  • Many other sports not covered well

8. BUSR – Great for Betting on NCAA Football

BUSR Football Betting

All the sites on this list offer great coverage of the NFL, but what if you’re a fan of NCAA football betting? In that case, you should head to BUSR, where they have a stunning range of NCAA betting options, including betting on many games and several futures, such as markets on the Heisman Trophy winner.

Of course, NFL is also covered, plus BUSR also offers coverage of several other sports. You’ll also find some nice promotions available. The layout of the site is pretty unappealing, but it’s simple to use, making placing quick bets easy – vital when you’re trying to bet live on a game of football. When it comes to depositing, the range of options is somewhat limited.

Pros:

  • Fantastic coverage of NCAA football
  • NFL also covered well
  • Several nice bonuses and promotions
  • Easy to place bets quickly
  • Great esports betting options also offered

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on football
  • Website isn’t very visually appealing

9. Sportsbetting.ag – Fantastic CFL Betting Options

Sportsbetting.ag Football Betting

The CFL is nearly as popular as the NFL in Canada, and if you’re looking for a place to bet on CFL games, look no further than Sportsbetting.ag. This site offers detailed coverage of all CFL matchups, plus also offers some CFL futures betting too. Of course, the NFL is also covered in-depth, while NCAAF betting is also available.

But why else should you consider Sportsbetting.ag for football betting? Well, their reputation is superb, and they have a huge number of content customers, plus they offer some really nice promotions, which often include free bets. Contests are also regularly run, giving you the chance to pit your knowledge and luck against other gamblers on the platform.

Pros:

  • Great CFL betting options
  • NFL and NCAAF also covered in detail
  • Exceptional reputation with gamblers
  • Several impressive promotions
  • Regularly run exciting contests

Cons:

  • No mobile app for football betting
  • Cluttered website can look confusing

10. PowBet – Take Part in Several Tournaments and Contests

PowBet Football Betting

Are you eager to pit yourself against other online betting enthusiasts? If so, you should make a beeline for PowBet, as they offer several contests and tournaments, where you can test yourself and potentially win big prizes. What’s more, they also usually have plenty of bonuses and promotions, which can be worth significant sums, as well as a VIP scheme.

PowBet is another of the sites on this list that won’t win many awards for its aesthetics, but like the other sites, look past this and you’ll find a sportsbook with many great football betting options, including decent coverage of the CFL. A huge range of other sports are also covered, plus the live betting experience is a decent one.

Pros:

  • Several contests and tournaments offered
  • Plenty of bonuses and promotions
  • Many football betting markets
  • Great live betting platform
  • Also has great coverage of horse racing

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on football
  • Low maximum withdrawal amounts

FAQs About Football Betting

How do you bet on football?

Where can I bet on football?

How do you always win in football betting?

What is the best bet in football?

What is the easiest football bet to win?

What is the safest football betting strategy?

How do you bet on football for beginners?

How do you place a football bet?

Comparing the Best Football Betting Sites

Looking for a quick way to compare the best Canadian sites offering betting for football? If so, check out the table below, which gives information on bonuses, live betting, and more.

Sportsbook Sports Bonus Parlays Live Football Betting Live Football Streaming
Bodog 100% up to $400 + 50 free spins

Stake.com None

BetOnline 50% up to $1,000

XBet 100% up to $500 + $10 casino chip

MyBookie 100% up to $1,000

Everygame 100% up to $750

BetNow 100% up to $300

BUSR 100% up to $1,000 + $25 free casino chips

Sportsbetting.ag 50% up to $1,000

PowBet 100% up to $150

Are Offshore Betting Sites Legal?

There’s often confusion around the legality of offshore betting sites in Canada, but we’re here to put the record straight: there is nothing preventing you from betting at offshore sportsbooks, and many Canadians do every day.

The only major difference in terms of legality is that licensed Canadian sportsbooks are regulated within the country, by provincial governments. Offshore betting sites, on the other hand, are regulated overseas. This means they don’t need to follow all rules and regulations laid down by local authorities.

Is Football Betting Legal in Canada?

Football betting online is something of a grey area. In all provinces except Ontario, only state-run online betting sites are officially available. Other than these state-run sportsbooks, there are no legal online betting sites – although this is expected to change in many provinces, with third-party operators added to the line-up of legal platforms.

The only province to have explicitly legalized sports betting online currently is Ontario. Anyone in that state can legally bet at several regulated online sportsbooks. Ontarians can also bet at offshore sportsbooks, including Bodog, our number one football betting site.

In terms of legal bet types, the ban on single-game sports betting was lifted in August 2021, which expanded gambling options at Canadian betting sites and retail locations. However, bets of this type were already offered at offshore sportsbooks.

But what about retail sports betting? Well, this is legal throughout the country – there’s not one province where retail sports betting is not permitted. However, you won’t find any land-based sportsbooks – instead, some provinces offer betting at retail locations like convenience stores, while other provinces simply haven’t implemented retail betting at all.

Advantages of Offshore Betting Sites

In Canada, there’s often the choice to bet at offshore sports betting sites or regulated, lottery-run sportsbooks. We would recommend the former to everyone, and you can find out why below.

  • Greater selection of markets. It’s often the case that offshore sites have a larger array of markets. This is because they are generally aimed at an international audience, which has interests in many different sports.
  • Regularly offer higher odds. Improved odds are often offered at offshore sportsbooks, as these sportsbooks are competing against each other. Having higher odds is a great way to attract new customers.
  • Better bonuses generally available. Bonuses are a huge part of offshore sportsbooks, with each sportsbook competing to outdo the others and win more customers. Bonuses are much smaller at lottery-run sportsbooks, and some don’t have any at all.
  • High levels of innovation. Lottery-run sportsbooks are often happy to plod along, never offering anything new, but offshore sportsbooks have loads of competition, so need to continually differentiate themselves from the crowd with new innovations.
  • Higher number of depositing options. Offshore websites can offer a huge range of depositing options, often including a large array of cryptocurrencies. The range of depositing options at lottery-run sportsbooks is generally much smaller.

Our Criteria for Choosing a Top Football Betting Site

Our football betting experts spent a long time identifying the best online sportsbooks in Canada. They took many factors into account when coming up with their list, and you can see some of the most important factors below.

Range of Football Bets

One of the most important factors our betting experts considered was the range of football bets available. They wanted to see many bets offered, including moneyline, spread, and totals. They also wanted to see a great live betting platform. Of equal importance were the odds – quite simply, the higher the odds, the better the sportsbook.

Choice of Football Events

Our experts also wanted to see a large range of football events covered. They of course wanted to see all NFL and CFL games available for betting, as well as betting on the play-offs, Super Bowl, and Grey Cup. College football betting should also be available.

Bonus & Promotions

The best sites for betting on football in Canada offer a range of bonuses and promotions, all of which reward customers for depositing and betting. These should all have reasonable terms that don’t make it impossible to withdraw any winnings. Loyalty schemes are also fantastic to see.

Safety & Security

It’s vital that any sportsbook offers you a safe and secure betting experience. This means that they should use SSL encryption to protect all transactions, plus they should be licenced somewhere in the world. We will not recommend an online sportsbook if we have even the slightest concern about its safety and security.

Payment Methods

The more payment methods a sportsbook offers, the better it was rated by our experts. Our experts expected every site to offer credit and debit card payments, plus it was great to also see Interac and eWallets available. Sites were given extra points if they also offered deposits using cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.

Customer Support

Finally, our experts tested out the customer support. They wanted to see several contact options, including live chat, plus they expected questions and concerns to be answered quickly and accurately. They also wanted to see a detailed FAQ section, allowing customers to find answers for themselves.

How to Sign Up and Bet on Football

Wondering how to sign up and start betting on football at sportsbooks? If so, we’ve outlined the process below, using our top sportsbook Bodog as an example.

1. Head Over to Bodog

Head over to Bodog using your desktop or mobile browser. Once there, click the “Join” button. This will bring up the registration form.

Bodog Homepage

2. Complete Registration Form

You’ll now need to provide all requested information. This should take a couple of minutes at the most. When finished, submit the form. You now have an account with Bodog.

Bodog Registration Form

3. Deposit Money

Next, you’ll need to deposit some money. Head to the cashier and then choose to deposit, before choosing your depositing option. Then enter all required information, including any bonus code you might have. You can then confirm the transaction, after which you’ll find the money transferred to your betting account.

Bodog Depositing Options

4. Choose Your Bet

Now you’ll need to head over to the football section and choose your bet. Once you’ve decided what to bet on, click the bet to add it to your betslip.

Bodog Sportsbook

5. Enter Stake and Confirm Bet

Finally, enter the amount of money you want to wager on the bet. Once you’ve done this, confirm the bet. You have now made a bet on football at Bodog. Now all you need to do is sit back, watch the game, and hope your bet is a winner.

Bodog Betslip

How Football Betting Works

Football betting in Canada is exceptionally simple. Unlike in the US, Canadian sportsbooks generally use decimal odds, which couldn’t be easier to understand. To work out how much you will receive back from a winning bet, just multiply your bet amount by the decimal odds. This will show you how much in total you’ll receive, meaning it includes your initial stake.

Here’s an example. Imagine you’ve just placed a $20 bet on the New York Giants to win a game, and you’ve received odds of 2.70. If the Giants manage to claim the victory, you’ll receive back $20 x 2.70, which is $54. Of this, $34 will be winnings and the remaining $20 will be your initial stake.

The higher the odds you receive, the lower the chances are of the bet being a winning one. Your task as a gambler is to find the bets that twin attractive odds with a decent chance of being winners.

Single-Game Football Betting Explained

Single-game football betting is a new addition to licenced sportsbooks in Canada. It used to be the case that Canadians could only place parlay bets, but on August 12, 2021, a federal law was passed authorizing betting on single selections. This law transformed the Canadian gambling scene, opening up loads of new betting possibilities at legal sites.

Different provinces took varying lengths of time to implement single-game betting. Seven provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, offered single-game sports betting immediately, and all other provinces then followed suit. The final province to introduce single-game betting was Nova Scotia, where single-game betting wasn’t introduced until February 2022.

It should be mentioned that the legalization of single bets only affected sportsbooks licenced in Canada. Offshore sportsbooks had been offering single-game betting prior to the change in law, and they continue to do so today.

Popular Types of Football Betting Markets

You’ll find that sportsbooks in Canada offer a vast range of options when it comes to betting for football. If you’re new to betting, we’ve outlined the major football bet types below.

Moneyline Bets

The simplest of all football bets is the moneyline bet. This is just a bet on which team you think will win the game. The more chances of a team winning, the lower their odds will be. In the example below, you can see that the Chiefs are favourites, as they’ve got the lower odds.

Team Odds
Kansas City Chiefs 1.61
Miami Dolphins 2.20

Spread Betting

Spread betting, also regularly called handicap betting, levels the playing field by giving the underdog extra points or subtracting points from the favourite. You’re betting on which team will win after the points have been added or subtracted from the score. Your bet will see one team’s score altered – a bet won’t alter the score of both teams.

Team Odds
Atlanta Falcons -2.5 1.91
New York Jets +2.5 1.91

Totals Betting

Totals betting is really simple. The sportsbook will set a total, such as the number of points they think will be scored in a game. You then have to decide whether the actual total will be more or less than the sportsbook’s prediction. It’s usually the case that the sportsbook makes sure betting on over and under have roughly the same odds.

Total Points 47.5 Odds
Over 1.91
Under 1.91

Prop Bets

A prop bet, also sometimes called an exotic bet, is a wager that doesn’t concern the final score or result of a game. For example, a prop bet could be on which player will score the game’s first touchdown, which is the example we’ve used below. Just correctly pick the first touchdown scorer and you’ll win a prize.

Team Odds
Travis Kelce 5.60
Austin Ekeler 7.00
Mike Williams 8.00
Juju Smith-Schuster 9.00
Patrick Mahomes 12.00

Futures

This is a bet that sees you placing a wager that won’t be resolved for a long time, such as betting on the winner of the Super Bowl before the season has even started. The below example shows real pre-season odds on the team to win Super Bowl LVII.

Team Odds
Buffalo Bills 7.00
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8.50
Kansas City Chiefs 10.00
Green Bay Packers 11.00
Los Angeles Rams 11.00

Parlays

A parlay bet is a wager that combines two or more selections. In order to win money, all selections need to be winning ones. Parlay bets can have exceptionally high odds, but can also be very tough to win.

An example of a parlay bet would be rolling all these bets into one:

  • Kansas City to win the game @ 1.70
  • Travis Kelce to score the first touchdown @ 5.60
  • More than 42.5 points to be scored in the game @ 1.91

When all these bets are placed, the odds of the parlay are 17.18. An online sportsbook will work out the parlay odds automatically for you and show you them before you place the bet.

Live Football Betting

Finally, there’s live betting. This is when you bet on a game while it’s in-play. All the above bet types, except futures, can be offered live. Betting live on football is exceptionally popular, as it allows you to use your knowledge of the game to analyse the game situation and predict what will happen. Odds can change quickly, so you’ll need to carefully choose when to place your live bet.

All the best football betting sites, including the ones we’ve recommended to you on this page, will allow you to bet live on all major football games. Many other sports are also available for live betting, including hockey, baseball, basketball, and soccer.

Football Betting Strategies & Systems

Looking to boost the amount of money you win when betting on football? If so, we’ve got a few handy strategies and systems for you below.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is the most important strategy you can use. Instead of betting your entire bankroll in one session, you should only risk a small proportion – most say around 5%. This will allow luck to even out over the bets and eliminates the chances of one piece of bad luck obliterating your entire bankroll. It also allows you to bet for longer without topping up your account.

Chasing Steam

This type of betting strategy can be very effective. It sees you monitoring odds and then placing your bet when you see the odds moving significantly – something that often happens when serious gamblers lay big money on a bet. They usually know what they’re talking about, so copying their moves can be exceptionally effective.

Backing the Favourite

This is the simplest of all betting strategies and sees you just betting on the favourite. The logic behind this is that favourite is favourite for a reason. However, there is a downside, as the odds you receive are often very low. This means you need a large bankroll to make any significant money from this strategy.

Our Top 5 Tips for Betting on Football

Football betting does include a large element of luck, but there are also ways you can improve your chances of placing a winning bet. Below, we’ve outlined five of our top tips for betting on football, which should help you when you next place a football bet.

1. Don’t be Biased

The first of our betting on football tips is this: bias can be a dangerous thing for sports bettors. This is because many lean unfairly towards a team they support. Instead, you should consider each bet you make without bias – if you can’t do this, just avoid betting on matches featuring your team.

2. Consider Home Field Advantage

Always look at which team is playing at home, as home field advantage is a real thing. Most teams are more comfortable playing in their home environment – they’re used to the weather, feed off the backing of the fans, and much more. However, home field advantage shouldn’t be the only reason to bet on a team – consider other factors as well.

3. Immerse Yourself in Football

The next of our betting tips for football is that you should immerse yourself in the game. Keep up to date with all developments, such as injuries, and understand the form of each team. The more you know, the more educated your bets will be, and educated bets are usually the ones with the best chances of winning.

4. Consider All Bet Types

Many people make the mistake of only ever placing bets of a few types. However, you should be open to placing bets of all types, as this gives you a better chance of finding great bets with high odds. You should also consider placing live bets, as well as betting before a game, as live bets give knowledgeable gamblers a good opportunity to win money.

5. Think About Individual Matchups

The last of our tips for betting on football is to consider individual matchups. Often, bettors only take a general view of a game, but it’s vital to think about how battles between individual players will go. Will Aaron Donald nullify Patrick Mahomes? Will Tyrann Mathieu dominate DeAndre Hopkins? It’s these individual matchups that can often decide the overall result of a game.

Biggest Football Competitions and Games to Bet On

Football might only be limited mainly to North America, but there’s still plenty for Canadian football fans to bet on. Check out the most popular competitions and games to bet on below.

NFL

Despite being in the US, the NFL dominates football betting in Canada. It’s possible to bet on every individual game, plus futures are offered on both conferences and all divisions. There are 272 games in the regular NFL season, along with play-off games and the Super Bowl, so there’s plenty to keep football betting fans happy.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the culmination of the NFL season and attracts more betting action than any other fixture. It’s contested by the winners of the NFC and AFC. All the normal bets are available, such as moneyline betting and spread betting, plus sportsbooks often have more unusual prop bets, which makes betting on the Super Bowl exceptionally entertaining.

CFL

The Canadian Football League is not as popular as the NFL, but still attracts a significant amount of betting at football betting sites. It starts much earlier than the NFL, giving Canadians the chance to start betting on football in the summer. Futures betting on divisions and the Grey Cup is available, plus the best football betting sites cover every game in detail.

Grey Cup

The Grey Cup is Canada’s answer to the Super Bowl, contested between the winners of the East and West Divisional playoffs. It’s hugely popular with gamblers, who can bet on everything from the moneyline to various prop bets. Live betting on the Grey Cup has also become very popular with Canadian football fans.

College Football

College football isn’t as popular in Canada as it is in the US, but it still has a decent following. Many football betting sites in Canada offer the chance to bet on college football matches and competitions, including on the NCAA Division I FBS, which is the highest level of college football in the US.

Canadian Football Teams to Bet On

There are no Canadian teams in the NFL. However, the Canadian Football League is composed of nine teams from Canada. Below, you can find out about the five most successful active Canadian football teams.

Toronto Argonauts

The most successful team in the Canadian Football League comes from the country’s largest city. The Argonauts have won the Grey Cup 17 times, with their most recent victory being in 2017, when they beat the Calgary Stampede to claim the trophy.

Edmonton Elks

The Edmonton Elks play in the West Division and are the second most successful team in CFL history, having won the Grey Cup 14 times. They last lifted the trophy in 2015, when they narrowly beat the Ottawa Redblacks. Until the 2020 season, the team was known as the Edmonton Eskimos.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers, who play in the West Division, hold the distinction of reaching more Grey Cup matches than any other team. However, they lost 14 of their 26 games. They are the current holders of the Grey Cup, having beaten the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2021.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Last year’s beaten finalists are the fourth most successful team in the history of the CFL. They’ve managed to win the trophy eight times and have lost in the final 14 times. It’s been a long wait for glory in Hamilton – the team last won the Grey Cup way back in 1999.

Calgary Stampeders

Like Hamilton, the Stampeders have won the Grey Cup eight times. They’ve also appeared in the game a further nine times. Their last victory came in 2018, when they beat the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16 in Edmonton.

Bonuses for Football Betting Online

Bonuses are one of the most important parts of football betting online and they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Below, you can find out about some of the more commonly seen bonuses at football betting sites.

Match Deposit Sign Up Bonuses

Sign up bonuses are offered at most online sportsbooks and they usually come in the form of a match deposit bonus. These add an extra percentage onto your deposit. For example, if you deposit $50 and claim a 200% deposit bonus, you’ll receive an extra $100. However, this money is bonus money and not real money – you’ll need to meet wagering requirements before you can withdraw.

No Deposit Bonus

As the name suggests, a no deposit bonus is given to you without you needing to deposit a cent, often when you first sign up. Bonuses of this type are generally quite small and usually have high wagering requirements. However, you can’t complain, as they’re free! If you see a no deposit bonus available, grab it straight away.

Free Bets

Free bets allow you to place a free bet at a sportsbook. However, despite their name, they’re not usually free. Instead, they are usually given to those making a losing bet, as something of a consolation prize. They are only occasionally no deposit bonuses, most often handed out for signing up with a site.

Bitcoin & Crypto Bonuses

Cryptocurrency, and in particular Bitcoin, is becoming a more and more common way to deposit at football betting sites. Sportsbooks also like players to deposit in this way, which is why there are many bonuses specifically for crypto users. These usually come in the form of a deposit match bonus.

Reload or Top-Up Bonuses

Reload bonuses, also sometimes called top-up bonuses, are bonuses applied to all deposits after the first. A reload bonus will generally add a percentage to your deposit – usually around 50%, but size varies from sportsbook to sportsbook. They won’t usually be worth as much as a welcome bonus, but can still add a decent sum to your sportsbook balance.

Risk-Free Bets

Risk-free bets are free bets given to players who have previously made a losing bet. For example, a sportsbook might promise to give a bettor a $25 free bet if they make a real money bet of $25 on football and that bet is a losing one. They’re not really risk-free, as you’re required to risk your own money initially.

The Best Payment Methods for Football Betting

The best football betting sites offer a range of payment methods to their customers, ensuring that almost everyone will find a method suitable for them. We’ve described some of the best payment options for football betting in Canada below.

Crypto Betting Options

More and more sportsbooks are now allowing bettors to deposit using cryptocurrency. The most popular cryptocurrency is undoubtedly Bitcoin, but there are also many others accepted at football betting sites, including Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple.

There are several benefits to using cryptocurrency, including the exceptional security it offers and the negligible fees. However, buying cryptocurrency is a risk, as the value of the currency can fluctuate wildly, unlike fiat currency. This means you could quickly find your cryptocurrency isn’t worth anywhere near as much as it once was. Explore more with our crypto betting guide.

eWallet Betting Options

Depositing using an eWallet is an incredibly popular option for Canadian gamblers. There are several eWallets around, but the three biggest are PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. All three act as a buffer between a bank account and the sportsbook, ensuring there’s never any need to enter banking details directly at the betting site.

Aside from offering great security, eWallets are also exceptionally simple to use, plus they usually offer instant deposits. However, you will find that all eWallets charge fees, either for depositing, withdrawing, or both. Check these before you use an eWallet to make a deposit at a Canadian football betting site.

Traditional Payment Methods

By traditional payments, we mean credit and debit cards, but we’d also include Interac within this category, which is a hugely popular service facilitating electronic transactions. These traditional payment methods are incredibly convenient, as most people already have a bank account, so there’s no need to create any new account before depositing.

Credit and debit card companies don’t generally charge anything for their use, but Interac does charge small fees. However, using Interac means that you don’t have to input banking details at the sportsbook – something many people aren’t comfortable doing, even though our recommended sites can be trusted completely.

Football Apps & Mobile Betting

Mobile betting is exceptionally popular with Canadian gamblers. All major sportsbooks offer mobile websites that adapt to fit perfectly on screens of all sizes, plus some sportsbooks also offer apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. These apps should be free to download – never pay for an app from a sportsbook.

Mobile betting makes it possible to bet from anywhere, providing you have a reasonable internet connection. Mobile sites and apps offer the same bets and odds as their corresponding desktop sites, plus they can usually be used to deposit, withdraw, and contact customer support.

2022 Football Schedule

Check out the table below to find out the major dates to remember for football in both Canada and the United States.

Date Event Venue Location
January 10 College Football Playoff National Championship Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana
January 15 – February 13 NFL Playoffs Various Various
February 6 NFL Pro Bowl Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, Nevada
February 13 Super Bowl LVI SoFi Stadium Inglewood, California
June 9 – October 29 CFL regular season Various Various
August 27 – December 10 NCAA Division I FBS season Various Various
September 8 – January 8 NFL regular season Various Various
November 6 – November 13 CFL Playoffs Various Various
November 20 Grey Cup Mosaic Stadium Regina, Saskatchewan
December 16 – January 9 NCAA Division I FBS post-season Various Various

Football Betting Terms

Accumulator – Alternative name for a parlay bet.

Against the Spread – Betting on the underdog in spread betting.

Book – Shortened name for a sportsbook.

Bookmaker – The person or group that accepts bets on sports and other events.

Cover the Spread – When you successfully place a bet on a spread.

Exotic – Another name for a prop bet.

Fade – Betting against a team.

Favorite – The team expected to win an encounter by the bookmaker.

Futures – A bet type that sees you betting on something to happen a reasonable distance into the future.

Handicapping – Conducting research before placing a bet.

Handle – The total amount of money wagered on a game.

Juice – Another name for the vigorish.

Line – The odds being offered.

Moneyline – A bet on which team will win the game, without any spread applied.

Off the Board – A game that, for some reason, is not currently available to be wagered on.

Over/Under – Another name for a totals bet.

Parlay – A bet that combines two or more selections. All selections must be winners for the parlay to be successful.

Pick’em – Often abbreviated to PK, this is a game where, according to the sportsbook, both sides have an equal chance of winning.

Prop – A type of bet that doesn’t relate to the overall score or result of a game.

Push – A bet where neither you nor the sportsbook wins, which sees you given back your stake.

Spread – The number of points the favorite needs to win by to win a bet.

Straight Bet – Another name for a moneyline bet.

Take the Points – When you bet on the underdog in spread betting.

Total – The number of points the sportsbook thinks will be scored in a game. You bet on whether there will be under or over the amount.

Underdog – The team the sportsbook thinks is less likely to win a game.

Vigorish – Sometimes shortened to vig, this is the commission taken by the sportsbook for handling the bet.

Betting on Football Near Me

It is legal to bet in-person in all Canadian provinces. Since 2021, it has also been legal to place single-game wagers in Canada – previously to this, those betting in-person, as well as at licensed online sportsbooks, were only able to make parlay bets. However, despite being legal, it’s not easy to bet in-person in Canada.

There are some provinces, such as British Columbia, where there are no physical locations at all offering betting, while other provinces, such as Ontario and Alberta, allow betting in some retail locations, such as convenience stores. However, there are no dedicated land-based sportsbooks anywhere in the country.

Overall, the lack of retail sportsbooks in Canada means that online betting is often the only option for gamblers. Luckily, there are plenty of sportsbooks available in the country, including those listed on this page.

The Best Football Betting Site in Canada

Now you’ve found out everything about betting on football in Canada, it’s time for you to head away and place some wagers – remember all the betting on football tips we’ve revealed on this page. But where should you place your football bets online?

We recommend making your way over to Bodog if you’re looking for the best football betting around. The reasons why are numerous, ranging from their huge selection of football betting markets to their fantastic odds. Why not head over there today and start betting on football at Canada’s top offshore football betting site?

James Wright

James is a writer from the UK. He loves watching soccer and supports Tottenham, plus he's also a huge football fan who follows the Chiefs. He's been writing about online gambling, include sports betting, for over 10 years.

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