Being one of the biggest sport-loving nations in the world, Canada is home to millions of people who frequently visit sports betting sites. Canadians love betting on their national summer and winter sports such as ice hockey and lacrosse, but they also enjoy placing wagers on football, soccer, basketball, baseball and curling.
All of the best online gambling sites Canada has to offer will provide their customers with a broad variety of safe payment methods for making real money deposits and withdrawals. We can show you the top 5 gambling sites for each of the most popular payment methods. Being one of the biggest sport-loving nations in the world, Canada is home to millions of people who frequently visit sports betting sites. Canadians love betting on their national summer and winter sports such as ice hockey and lacrosse, but they also enjoy placing wagers on football, soccer, basketball, baseball and curling. We've listed the best online gambling sites in Canada when it comes to the bonus in the table below: Gambling Type Best Bonus Offer Bonus Terms Bonus Offered By: Sports Betting: 100% Deposit Bonus Up to $100.New Canada customers only. Opt-in required. Bonus based on 1st deposit of $10+. 5x deposit and bonus wagering at odds of 1.75+. If you're looking to play at the best casino sites in Canada, TopinCanada.com is the place to be. We list all the top Canadian online casinos for 2020. We only list trusted and licensed gambling establishments that have been vetted by our experts. This guarantees fair gaming, fast payouts, and exception software. The best online casinos for Canada allow you to deposit and play in CAD. Large selection of live dealer games. Choose from live dealer games such as blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold'em Poker, roulette, baccarat, Casino Hold'em, and more. Receive bonuses and rewards.
If you're a Canadian who has just begun to learn about the world of online sports betting, you're on the right page.
Finding a quality sportsbook site on your own might prove to be a difficult task, especially if you don't know what to look for. However, things get much easier when you run across one of these trusted review sites that can point you in the right direction.
We have scoured the Internet in search of the absolute best Canadian sports betting sites in 2020. We imposed strict criteria for choosing sportsbook sites for our top 8 list, as we wanted you to have the best possible sports betting experience online.
Moreover, we went through the law books and made sure that these sites are safe and legal for Canadian players. In the text below, you can find the details about sports betting laws in Canada, while we will also share a few words about our selection process and tell you about the important aspects to consider when choosing a sportsbook site.
Our Top Recommended Sportsbooks:
The list below consists of some of the biggest sports betting brands on the Canadian market. All these websites are licensed, legal, and safe for Canadian players. Not only that, but most of these sites also allow you to place bets using Canadian Dollars for deposits, thus saving you from losing money on less-than-ideal conversion rates.
Apart from being Canadian-friendly, these sites have proven their worth by offering rewarding player promotions, above-average odds, exciting betting features, and more.
Pick one and enjoy!
CAD 250 | 5/5 |
2 | CAD 200 |
CAD 200 | 4.9/5 |
4 | CAD 500 |
CAD 2500 | 4.9/5 |
6 | CAD 125 |
CAD 200 | 4.8/5 |
8 | CAD 200 |
CAD 500 | 4/5 |
10 | CAD 2500 |
How We Selected the Top Sportsbook Sites for Canadians
There are hundreds of sports betting sites available to Canadian players, both on the local and on the international level. Looking through all these sites and deciding which ones are the absolute best was anything but a breeze.
Nevertheless, we put in countless hours of research and use our collective knowledge about sports betting sites to narrow down our list to only a few selections that we believe are best of the best.
It is important for us that you trust our recommendations and know that the listed sportsbooks were not selected randomly in any way. That's why we decided to share with you our selection process and tell you about all the things that went into it.
Licensing and Safety
The most important aspect of looking into quality sportsbook sites is their licensing and safety.A given betting site must be properly licensed above everything else. This can be easily checked on the website itself, where you can find details about which gambling authority licensed the site, together with the licensing number that can be confirmed through that jurisdiction's registry.
Cybersecurity is also a top priority since you'll be leaving a lot of sensitive information, including your personal and financial details. A safe betting site must employ state-of-the-art encryption technology and firewall systems in order to protect itself and its players from malicious cyberattacks.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses are a huge part of any online gambling platform, and they are often the decisive factor for players trying to find their ideal betting site. We will talk in more detail about sports betting bonuses later on, but what you should know is that every website on our list has plenty of player promotions that you can take advantage of.All selected sites have rewarding welcome bonuses for new players and plenty of other offers that you can claim along the way.
Website Design
Website design is often an overlooked part of online betting platforms, but it's nevertheless a very important one. A given sportsbook must provide intuitive navigation so that even beginner players can work their way around placing bets.Everything should be a few clicks away, and the banners containing main details about bonuses and promotions should provide clear instructions on how to unlock the offers.
Mobile Compatibility
The advancements in mobile technology have made it possible to have pocket-size computers with us at all times. The online betting industry has used this to its advantage, creating mobile-friendly platforms that can be used on the move.We made sure that all the websites we selected have functioning mobile sites that allow you to seamlessly access your account through your mobile browser. Moreover, some operators have free downloadable apps that you can install on your iOS and Android devices and ultimately have a better user experience.
This is another important aspect that is not often discussed in sports betting sites reviews. Of course, the main advantage of mobile betting sites and apps is that you can use them away from your home — even when travelling abroad.
Market Selection
A given sportsbook site can be licensed, safe, well-designed, and optimized for mobile devices, but all that doesn't mean much unless players have a wide selection of markets to choose from.Of course, every sports betting site will have main markets like soccer, tennis, basketball and horse racing, but since we conducted these reviews from the perspective of Canadian players, we also wanted to make sure that popular Canadian sports are included as well.
That's why, if you choose one of the sites from our list, you can find plenty of options for betting on sports such as ice hockey, curling, lacrosse, and others.
Naturally, the number of different sports markets is not enough by itself. A quality sportsbook must include all the most popular events inside each of the markets.
So, for example, by exploring the ice hockey markets on our selected sportsbooks, you will find everything from NHL and lesser-known European leagues to international competitions like the IIHF World Championships and the Winter Olympics tournament.
Odds
While the odds for a given match tend to be similar on most sportsbook sites, those small discrepancies can create all the difference when you're betting big. The odds on sportsbooks we selected are competitive, to say the least, and definitely above the industry's average.That means that you can get great prices for your wagers and potentially win a lot more than you would while betting on some other bookie sites.
Features
The number of betting features is just as important as odds and market selection. Players should have the ability to create their betting slip in all sorts of ways and take advantage of features such as bet builder and acca insurance.All sites on our list have the in-play betting options that allow users to place wagers while the match is taking place. Moreover, some websites have live streaming available for some major events, meaning that you can bet and watch the match on the same platform.
Banking
Managing deposits and withdrawals on your sports betting account can be made using various banking methods. The most popular methods include credit and debit cards, together with e-wallets and other internet banking services. However, the majority of people still put a lot of trust in traditional methods such as bank wire transfers and checks.Banking was a very important part of our research because we wanted to try and include sportsbooks that are Canadian-friendly in this regard. That's why, apart from the methods we mentioned, you can find local options like Interac Online, InstaDebit and iDebit.
Moreover, we made sure that you can use CAD as your primary currency for both deposits and withdrawals. Some sites also allow the use of cryptocurrencies.
Customer Support
Last but not least, we talked to customer support agents of each sportsbook site we included in the list. Professional and responsive customer support is very important, especially for new players who might have a lot of questions.That's why the support team must be available 24 hours a day and provide correct and concise answers. Ideally, customer support should have three modes of contact — live chat, email support, and a toll-free phone number.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Canada?
Canada is one of those countries where gambling laws are rather outdated and open to interpretation. Namely, the country still uses the 1892 Criminal Code as its main lawbook regarding illegal betting operations.
While gambling laws have been changed and adapted over the years, there are still no specific mentions of gambling over the web.
Best Online Gambling Sites Canada Reddit
Nevertheless, there have been a few dozen Canadian online sportsbooks that appeared in the last decade and a half. These websites have been licensed by either the official provincial regulatory bodies or the Kahnawake Gambling Commission that enjoys special status in the country, and they are all perfectly legal.
So, there are legal Canadian sportsbook sites where you can enjoy wagering on your favourite sports, but what about offshore sites? Well, this is where things get a little murky.
Namely, it is illegal for a sportsbook to operate within Canadian territory if it was not given a proper licence by one of the country's gambling jurisdictions. However, offshore sites are all headquartered outside of Canada and therefore are not affected by Canadian law.
Moreover, the law doesn't mention anything about foreign gambling sites. In other words, offshore sports betting platforms are neither technically illegal nor officially legal.
What does this mean for you as a player? The good news is that you can freely play on offshore betting sites that accept Canadian players, as the Canadian authorities don't harass players themselves, but are rather interested in punishing operators, meaning that you can play without worrying about being prosecuted.
This is quite an advantage since offshore sportsbooks are usually much better than local sports betting sites in terms of market selection, variety of betting features, bonuses and promotions, and many other things.
On the other hand, offshore sportsbooks are not always the safest option. These sites are sometimes unlicensed or are licensed by jurisdictions that have fairly loose gambling laws, meaning that operators can get away with a lot of things.
It's quite frequent that players playing on offshore betting sites get cheated out of their winnings or banned from the site for no particular reason.
So, how can you know that a certain offshore betting site is safe? Well, one way is to turn to review sites such as this one. If you take another look at our sports betting Canada sites, you will find that these are all well-respected brands that guarantee safety and fairness to all of their customers.
Sports Betting Bonuses for Canadian Players
There are plenty of sports betting bonuses that Canadian players can take advantage of, and that's why we decided to expand on this subject a little further. Below are the details of some of the most common player promotions you will run across on our selected sports betting sites.
Free Bets
Free bets are the most common sports betting bonuses, and they are frequently a part of the sportsbook's welcome offer. Free bet is just what it sounds like — the bookie will give you a small amount of free bonus money when you create an account and complete your first deposit.However, the free bet money you get will not be available for immediate withdrawal. Instead, you will have to place a wager with that money and wait for the outcome. If the bet loses, you haven't actually lost anything, as the bonus money was given to you for free.
On the other hand, if you win, you will be able to withdraw your winnings, but only if you previously met the wagering requirements. The wagering requirements force you to wager your bonus amount over a few times (usually two to five times, depending on the bookmaker).
So, for example, if you got C$10 in free bets and the wagering requirements are 3x, you will have to wager a total of C$30, and only then can you withdraw anything that is left in your balance.
The free bet also comes with a set of rules you must follow that are referred to as the bonus' terms and conditions. These rules revolve around the minimum deposit limits, minimum odds limits, types of bets you can make with the bonus, and the time limit of the offer, among other things.
Match Bonuses
Match bonuses work similarly to free bets, with the major difference being that the value of the offer depends on how much you deposit — you don't receive a fixed free bet.For example, a bookie might offer you a 100% bonus up to C$100. This means that you can deposit C$100 and get another C$100 to play with. However, if you deposit C$20, you will only get another C$20. For free bets, the amount of bonus money will always be the same regardless of the value of your deposit.
Just like free bets, match bonuses come with a set of terms and conditions, with the main ones being minimum odds (usually between 1.5 and 2.0) and wagering requirements.
Money Back and Cashback
Money back is often referred to as a win-win bonus. If your wager is successful, you get to pick up your winnings as usual. However, if the bet loses, you will get your money back.The catch is that the money you get back usually won't come in the form of withdrawable cash. Instead, you will get the money back in the form of free bets that are tied with certain terms and conditions that we discussed earlier.
Similar to money back promotions, certain bookies also offer cashback bonuses. The difference here is that cashback bonuses allow you to get only a percentage of your net losses over a certain period (a week or a month).
So, if you have lost C$100 over a specified period and the bookie promises to give you 10% back, you will get C$10 back into your account. Since you already had to wager and lose to get the offer, bookies usually won't impose any further requirements for this bonus.
How to Start Playing on a Canadian Sports Betting Site
If you've already used sports betting sites in the past, you know the deal. However, if you're completely new to this form of online gambling, you probably have some questions on how to create an account and start playing.
Don't worry, as we will explain the entire process in our step-by-step guide below:
- Pick one of the websites from our list above;
- Once you're on the homepage of your selected website, find and click on the Register button (could also be Join or Sign Up);
- Fill out the registration form containing your personal details and set up your account name and password. If available, select CAD as your preferred currency;
- After the operator confirms your identity, you will need to activate your account using the activation link sent to your email address. Alternatively, some operators will send you an activation code via SMS.
- Once your account has been activated, go to the cashier page of the website and start the deposit process by selecting a preferred payment method and by typing in the amount you wish to deposit;
- The deposit should go through almost immediately. Once it does, you can start creating your betting slip.
Popular Canadian Payment Methods
Canadians are allowed to use a variety of payment methods in order to deposit and withdraw money to and from their sportsbook accounts. Here is the list of some of the most popular ones:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- Interac Online
- InstaDebit
- iDebit
- Skrill
- Paysafecard
- Bank wire
- Bank check
- Cryptocurrency
Apart from bank wires and checks, all the listed methods are pretty fast. The deposits go through immediately, and the withdrawals don't take more than a couple of business days, depending on the method.
The minimum deposit limits depend on the method as well, but they also differ from bookie to bookie. In most cases, minimum deposits will be around C$10. As for withdrawals, wire transfers and cryptocurrencies usually have the highest limits, but this will again depend on the sports betting website and its rules.
You might encounter some fees while trying to complete your payments, but we've made sure that the sites on our list have small or non-existent service changes for transactions.
Final Thoughts
Canadian players are really spoilt for choice when it comes to online sports betting. Not only is this form of gambling generally considered legal and safe, but plenty of international sportsbook sites gladly accept Canadian players.
So, if you want to have the best sports betting experience possible and take advantage of some great bonuses, take a look at our list in which we included the finest sports betting brands that welcome Canadians.
If you have any questions, check out our FAQ below or hit us up in the comment section. Good luck!
FAQ
For withdrawals it is the same. You only need to select the amount you wish to deposit, and provided that you have enough available funds, you'll be able to withdraw them in Canadian dollars.
Yes, you can combine different sports and different competitions on the same bet slip. For example, you can choose one selection from an NHL game, another from NBA and a third from a European soccer game. It should be noted that, with some operators, the maximum amount that you can win with one bet depends on the sports which are featured on the bet slip. Most European sportsbooks offer significantly higher maximum winnings for bets on the most popular soccer leagues like the English Premier League.
Online gambling in Canada has grown in record numbers alongwith the rest of the world. Canadian bettors make up a considerable segment ofthe world's 50-billion-dollar online gambling market.
A handful of federal laws address gambling at the national level, but provinces take the lead in determining exactly which forms of online gambling and betting are available. This means legal Canadian betting sites vary by province. Read on for the full story of what's legal and where.
Best Canadian Betting Sites
The vast majority of international gambling sites accept Canadians as customers. The country's reasonable laws and first world economy make it a prime market for casino operators. Always remember that you have the advantage of options and should never settle for anything less than the best.
One of the primary things we look for in any gambling site (Canadian or otherwise) is its ability to process withdrawals. After all, the ultimate goal of any single bet is to win money. If you have to wait around forever to get paid, there's no point in placing that bet in the first place. There are enough Canadian betting sites out there that you can afford to be selective.
Any gambling site mentioned on this page or any other has at the very minimum a long history of successful payments to winners. Outside of payments, other things I look for include:
- A large real money game selection.
- Competent and quick customer support.
- Games with fair payout odds.
- Established reputation for safety.
- Canada-friendly deposit methods.
Legal Online Betting Options by Province and Territory
Broadly speaking, gambling in Canada is managed at the provinciallevel. The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits businesses that offer gamblingunless they are authorized by a provincial government.
Additionally, the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the authorization of single game sports wagers. Provinces with legal mobile betting may only accept wagers that include two or more selections, also known as parlays. Online sports betting and gambling are offered in most provinces and territories, always under the control of a single monopoly provider.
Alberta
- Regulatory Body: Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and Additional Regulations
Alberta was one of the last holdout provinces to embrace theconcept of online gambling. Things began to change in 2019 when the AlbertaGaming, Liquor and Cannabis office issues a request for proposals (RFP) tocompanies that would like to offer online gaming in a regulated environment.
The RFP was met with enthusiasm and AGLC later explained thatit would select a provider by mid-2020 with plans to launch by mid-2021.
Other forms of legal gambling in Alberta include casinos,bingo halls, horse racing betting, lottery kiosks and VLT lounges, andcharitable gaming.
British Columbia
- Regulatory Body: Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
- Provincial Operator: British Columbia Lottery Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming Control Act and Additional Regulations
Gaming laws in BC allow for a wide range of gaming options,including online sports betting and casino games. The British Columbia LotteryCorporation (BCLC) manages and operates all commercial gambling on behalf ofthe province.
PlayNow.com serves as the only authorized gambling and betting site in British Columba. Residents 19 or older can visit PlayNow to bet on sports, buy lottery tickets online and much more. The full range of legal online gambling options offered by PlayNow includes sports betting, lottery drawings, keno, casino games, poker and bingo.
In addition to online gambling, other legal forms of gamingin British Columbia include casinos, bingo halls, racetracks and lottery.
Manitoba
- Regulatory Body: Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority
- Provincial Operator: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
- Key Laws and Regulations: Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and Additional Regulations
Manitoba gambling laws allow in-person and online gambling through authorized providers. PlayNow.com is the official provider of online sports betting, casino games and lotteries. Other forms of legal gambling in Manitoba include charitable events, casinos, VLTs and the lottery.
New Brunswick
- Regulatory Body: Gaming, Liquor and Security Licensing Branch
- Provincial Operator: New Brunswick Lotteries & Gaming Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming Control Act & Regulations
New Brunswick regulates several forms of gambling that are operatedby licensed providers. Two land-based casinos plus video lottery terminals,charitable gaming, the lottery and harness racing comprise the province's legalgambling options.
Residents 19 and older can order lottery tickets online through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), which operates lotteries on behalf of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The ALC also offers sports betting, fantasy sports and futures under the Pro-Line brand. All customers must be 19 or older to bet online with PRO-Line.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Regulatory Body: Government of NL
- Provincial Operator: Atlantic Lottery Corporation
Gambling options in Newfoundland and Labrador are somewhat limited compared to other provinces. Online lottery games and retail sports betting are available through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation website and its associated Pro-Line sports product. Charitable and nonprofit organizations may also apply for a license from Service NL to hold fundraising lotteries.
Northwest Territories
- Regulatory Body: NWT & Nunavut Lotteries
- Provincial Operator: Western Canada Lottery Corporation
The Northwest Territories are not a major gamblingdestination, but residents do have a few options. The Western Canada LotteryCorporation (WCLC) operates lotteries in several provinces and territories,including a partnership with the NWT & Nunavut Lotteries.
Sports betting is also legal in the Northwest Territories through Sport Select under the NWT & Nunavut Lotteries.
Nova Scotia
- Regulatory Body: Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division of Service Nova Scotia
- Provincial Operator: Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming Control Act and Atlantic Lottery Regulations
Nova Scotia is a largely pro-gaming province whose residents have access to a state lottery, casinos, video lottery terminals, charitable bingo and online gambling. The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation manages regulated gaming on behalf of the province through Casino Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Lottery. Residents 19 and older can visit the Atlantic Lottery website to buy lottery tickets online and bet on sports through Pro-Line.
Nunavut
- Regulatory Body: NWT & Nunavut Lotteries
- Territory Operator: Western Canada Lottery Corporation
The sparsely populated territory of Nunavut is not agambling destination by any stretch but does offer a few options for locals.Nunavut gambling options consist of charitable gaming, lottery products offeredby the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) and Pro-Line sports bettingoffered under the Sport Select brand through WCLC.
Ontario
- Regulatory Body: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
- Provincial Operator: PlayOLG.ca
- Key Laws and Regulations: Ontario Gaming Acts and Regulations
A variety of land-based and online gambling options are availablein Ontario. PlayOLG.ca is the sole authorized online casino and lottery providerand accepts customers 19 or older. Options there include slots, table games,instant win scratch-offs, video poker and lottery tickets.
Online and mobile horse racing betting is offered by HPIBet.com while sports betting is offered through the Pro-Line Stadium platform (19+ to play).
Other gaming in Ontario consists of the lottery, casinos,horse racing and charitable gaming.
The Best Online Gambling Site
Prince Edward Island
- Regulatory Body: Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
- Provincial Operator: Atlantic Lottery Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Lotteries Commission Act and Atlantic Lottery Regulations
Prince Edward Island is home to a limited number of gamblingand sports betting options. Casinos, harness racing, lottery games and sportsbetting are all legal and regulated in PEI. The Atlantic Lottery Corporationoffers online lottery games and sports betting at ALC.ca.
Quebec
- Regulatory Body: Régie des Alcools, des Courses et des Jeux
- Provincial Operator: Loto-Québec
- Key Laws and Regulations: List of Laws and Regulations Here
Quebec hosts a thriving gambling industry that includesretail and online options. Online sports betting and gambling are offered by Loto-Québec,which offers lottery games, casino games, sports betting, instant-winscratchers, poker and bingo.
Saskatchewan
- Regulatory Body: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
- Provincial Operators: Crown Investments Corporation and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
- Key Laws and Regulations: Full List Here
Saskatchewan has a strong land-based gaming industry butlacks state-licensed online gambling options. Land-based casinos operated bythe Crown Investments Corporation and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority(SIGA) offer slots, poker and table games.
Video lottery terminals, horse racing betting and charitable gaming are also authorized. Sask Lotteries also offers lottery tickets, instant win games and sports betting through Sport Select.
Yukon
Canadian players are really spoilt for choice when it comes to online sports betting. Not only is this form of gambling generally considered legal and safe, but plenty of international sportsbook sites gladly accept Canadian players.
So, if you want to have the best sports betting experience possible and take advantage of some great bonuses, take a look at our list in which we included the finest sports betting brands that welcome Canadians.
If you have any questions, check out our FAQ below or hit us up in the comment section. Good luck!
FAQ
For withdrawals it is the same. You only need to select the amount you wish to deposit, and provided that you have enough available funds, you'll be able to withdraw them in Canadian dollars.
Yes, you can combine different sports and different competitions on the same bet slip. For example, you can choose one selection from an NHL game, another from NBA and a third from a European soccer game. It should be noted that, with some operators, the maximum amount that you can win with one bet depends on the sports which are featured on the bet slip. Most European sportsbooks offer significantly higher maximum winnings for bets on the most popular soccer leagues like the English Premier League.
Online gambling in Canada has grown in record numbers alongwith the rest of the world. Canadian bettors make up a considerable segment ofthe world's 50-billion-dollar online gambling market.
A handful of federal laws address gambling at the national level, but provinces take the lead in determining exactly which forms of online gambling and betting are available. This means legal Canadian betting sites vary by province. Read on for the full story of what's legal and where.
Best Canadian Betting Sites
The vast majority of international gambling sites accept Canadians as customers. The country's reasonable laws and first world economy make it a prime market for casino operators. Always remember that you have the advantage of options and should never settle for anything less than the best.
One of the primary things we look for in any gambling site (Canadian or otherwise) is its ability to process withdrawals. After all, the ultimate goal of any single bet is to win money. If you have to wait around forever to get paid, there's no point in placing that bet in the first place. There are enough Canadian betting sites out there that you can afford to be selective.
Any gambling site mentioned on this page or any other has at the very minimum a long history of successful payments to winners. Outside of payments, other things I look for include:
- A large real money game selection.
- Competent and quick customer support.
- Games with fair payout odds.
- Established reputation for safety.
- Canada-friendly deposit methods.
Legal Online Betting Options by Province and Territory
Broadly speaking, gambling in Canada is managed at the provinciallevel. The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits businesses that offer gamblingunless they are authorized by a provincial government.
Additionally, the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the authorization of single game sports wagers. Provinces with legal mobile betting may only accept wagers that include two or more selections, also known as parlays. Online sports betting and gambling are offered in most provinces and territories, always under the control of a single monopoly provider.
Alberta
- Regulatory Body: Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and Additional Regulations
Alberta was one of the last holdout provinces to embrace theconcept of online gambling. Things began to change in 2019 when the AlbertaGaming, Liquor and Cannabis office issues a request for proposals (RFP) tocompanies that would like to offer online gaming in a regulated environment.
The RFP was met with enthusiasm and AGLC later explained thatit would select a provider by mid-2020 with plans to launch by mid-2021.
Other forms of legal gambling in Alberta include casinos,bingo halls, horse racing betting, lottery kiosks and VLT lounges, andcharitable gaming.
British Columbia
- Regulatory Body: Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
- Provincial Operator: British Columbia Lottery Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming Control Act and Additional Regulations
Gaming laws in BC allow for a wide range of gaming options,including online sports betting and casino games. The British Columbia LotteryCorporation (BCLC) manages and operates all commercial gambling on behalf ofthe province.
PlayNow.com serves as the only authorized gambling and betting site in British Columba. Residents 19 or older can visit PlayNow to bet on sports, buy lottery tickets online and much more. The full range of legal online gambling options offered by PlayNow includes sports betting, lottery drawings, keno, casino games, poker and bingo.
In addition to online gambling, other legal forms of gamingin British Columbia include casinos, bingo halls, racetracks and lottery.
Manitoba
- Regulatory Body: Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority
- Provincial Operator: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
- Key Laws and Regulations: Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and Additional Regulations
Manitoba gambling laws allow in-person and online gambling through authorized providers. PlayNow.com is the official provider of online sports betting, casino games and lotteries. Other forms of legal gambling in Manitoba include charitable events, casinos, VLTs and the lottery.
New Brunswick
- Regulatory Body: Gaming, Liquor and Security Licensing Branch
- Provincial Operator: New Brunswick Lotteries & Gaming Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming Control Act & Regulations
New Brunswick regulates several forms of gambling that are operatedby licensed providers. Two land-based casinos plus video lottery terminals,charitable gaming, the lottery and harness racing comprise the province's legalgambling options.
Residents 19 and older can order lottery tickets online through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), which operates lotteries on behalf of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The ALC also offers sports betting, fantasy sports and futures under the Pro-Line brand. All customers must be 19 or older to bet online with PRO-Line.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Regulatory Body: Government of NL
- Provincial Operator: Atlantic Lottery Corporation
Gambling options in Newfoundland and Labrador are somewhat limited compared to other provinces. Online lottery games and retail sports betting are available through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation website and its associated Pro-Line sports product. Charitable and nonprofit organizations may also apply for a license from Service NL to hold fundraising lotteries.
Northwest Territories
- Regulatory Body: NWT & Nunavut Lotteries
- Provincial Operator: Western Canada Lottery Corporation
The Northwest Territories are not a major gamblingdestination, but residents do have a few options. The Western Canada LotteryCorporation (WCLC) operates lotteries in several provinces and territories,including a partnership with the NWT & Nunavut Lotteries.
Sports betting is also legal in the Northwest Territories through Sport Select under the NWT & Nunavut Lotteries.
Nova Scotia
- Regulatory Body: Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division of Service Nova Scotia
- Provincial Operator: Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Gaming Control Act and Atlantic Lottery Regulations
Nova Scotia is a largely pro-gaming province whose residents have access to a state lottery, casinos, video lottery terminals, charitable bingo and online gambling. The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation manages regulated gaming on behalf of the province through Casino Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Lottery. Residents 19 and older can visit the Atlantic Lottery website to buy lottery tickets online and bet on sports through Pro-Line.
Nunavut
- Regulatory Body: NWT & Nunavut Lotteries
- Territory Operator: Western Canada Lottery Corporation
The sparsely populated territory of Nunavut is not agambling destination by any stretch but does offer a few options for locals.Nunavut gambling options consist of charitable gaming, lottery products offeredby the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) and Pro-Line sports bettingoffered under the Sport Select brand through WCLC.
Ontario
- Regulatory Body: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
- Provincial Operator: PlayOLG.ca
- Key Laws and Regulations: Ontario Gaming Acts and Regulations
A variety of land-based and online gambling options are availablein Ontario. PlayOLG.ca is the sole authorized online casino and lottery providerand accepts customers 19 or older. Options there include slots, table games,instant win scratch-offs, video poker and lottery tickets.
Online and mobile horse racing betting is offered by HPIBet.com while sports betting is offered through the Pro-Line Stadium platform (19+ to play).
Other gaming in Ontario consists of the lottery, casinos,horse racing and charitable gaming.
The Best Online Gambling Site
Prince Edward Island
- Regulatory Body: Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
- Provincial Operator: Atlantic Lottery Corporation
- Key Laws and Regulations: Lotteries Commission Act and Atlantic Lottery Regulations
Prince Edward Island is home to a limited number of gamblingand sports betting options. Casinos, harness racing, lottery games and sportsbetting are all legal and regulated in PEI. The Atlantic Lottery Corporationoffers online lottery games and sports betting at ALC.ca.
Quebec
- Regulatory Body: Régie des Alcools, des Courses et des Jeux
- Provincial Operator: Loto-Québec
- Key Laws and Regulations: List of Laws and Regulations Here
Quebec hosts a thriving gambling industry that includesretail and online options. Online sports betting and gambling are offered by Loto-Québec,which offers lottery games, casino games, sports betting, instant-winscratchers, poker and bingo.
Saskatchewan
- Regulatory Body: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
- Provincial Operators: Crown Investments Corporation and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
- Key Laws and Regulations: Full List Here
Saskatchewan has a strong land-based gaming industry butlacks state-licensed online gambling options. Land-based casinos operated bythe Crown Investments Corporation and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority(SIGA) offer slots, poker and table games.
Video lottery terminals, horse racing betting and charitable gaming are also authorized. Sask Lotteries also offers lottery tickets, instant win games and sports betting through Sport Select.
Yukon
- Regulatory Body: Yukon Lottery Commission
- Territory Operator: Lotteries Yukon
Yukon has a small gaming industry powered by Lotteries Yukon and a single casino located in Dawson City. Lotteries Yukon works in partnership with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation to offer a standard range of lottery games and sports betting through Sport Select. In Dawson City, Diamond Tooth Gerties offers table games, poker and slots.
Canadian Sports Betting Sites
The online sports betting sites we recommend are those that cover both domestic and international sports. This includes the likes of the Canadian Football league (CFL) as well as US-based organizations with Canadian franchises. The NBA, MLB and NHL all come to mind.
On the international side, these books cover soccer, cricket, the Olympic games and more. In short, the more markets there are, the better.
Something else to consider is whether or not the lines are competitive. The big, international books tend to have the best lines thanks to the competitive nature of the international sports betting industry. There are a few government-run betting sites based out of Canada but their odds are so poor you might as well play a game of craps.
Horse Racing Betting
Horse racing and horse racing betting are regulated at theprovincial level in Canada like other forms of gambling. Most provinces hosthorse races and authorize trackside betting, but mobile racing betting is notas widespread.
The most well-known racing betting site open to Canadians isHPIBet.com, which accepts Canadian residents who are 18 or older (19 in BC).
Section 204 of the Canadian Code specifically exempts horse racing betting from the general prohibition against prohibition. Under Section 204, laws against wagering do not apply to legal parimutuel wagering.
Teletheatres, also known as off-track betting facilities(OTBs), are also authorized in numerous provinces:
- Alberta: Horse Racing Alberta Locations
- British Columbia: TBC Teletheatre Locations
- Manitoba: Assiniboia Downs OTB Locations
- New Brunswick: Authorized OTB Locations
- Nova Scotia: Authorized OTB Locations
- Ontario: Authorized OTB Locations
- Prince Edward Island: Teletheatre at Red Shores
- Quebec: Hippodrome Trois-Rivières Locations
- Saskatchewan: Marquis Downs Locations
Online Poker in Canada
Canadians can play on virtually every poker site in the world. There is certainly no lack of options in the market. Not only does this give you the power of choice, but it also provides access to a ton of bonuses, promotions and tournaments.
One of the things we specifically look for in poker is traffic. A lack of traffic kills the action and leads to longer waiting times between tournaments, fewer cash game tables and a greater likelihood of being stuck at poor tables full of rocks. More traffic is always better.
Candian Online Casinos
Again, Canadians have free reign to choose from the best online gambling has to offer. Payout rates at the best casinos reach upwards of 97%. Welcome bonuses routinely top $500. There's a lot to be said for competition. You will have casinos crawling all over one another to get your business. Take advantage of that.
The main thing is to stick with big-name sites and avoid all those little, unknown operations that also target the Canadian market. There's no point in even risking playing at some sketchy gambling site when you have so many big-name brands doing everything they can to earn your trust.
Is Online Betting Legal in Canada?
The Canadian central government prohibits sports betting and online gambling activities that are not specifically authorized by provinces or territories. Section 202 of the Criminal Code prohibits engaging in sports betting as a business but does not specifically outlaw the act of placing wagers as a customer.
However, Section 207 states it is lawful for the government of a province to 'conduct and manage a lottery scheme in that province…' That section also allows charitable and religious organizations to conduct lottery schemes if authorized by local authorities.
Sports betting is addressed in Section 207 and is defined as an acceptable type of 'lottery scheme' as long as it does not involve wagering on a single sporting event. Lottery schemes are defined by the Criminal Code as follows:
…any proposal, scheme, plan, means, device, contrivance or operation described in any of paragraphs 206(1)(a) to (g), whether or not it involves betting, pool selling or a pool system of betting other than
(a) three-card monte, punch board or coin table;
(b) bookmaking, pool selling or the making or recording of bets, including bets made through the agency of a pool or pari-mutuel system, on any race or fight, or on a single sport event or athletic contest; or
(c) for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b) to (f), a game or proposal, scheme, plan, means, device, contrivance or operation described in any of paragraphs 206(1)(a) to (g) that is operated on or through a computer, video device, slot machine or a dice game.
Specifically, it is part b) that authorizes the parlay-style form of wagering offered by many provincial lottery providers but not wagers on single games.
Is single game sports betting legal in Canada?
Single game sports betting is prohibited at the national levelby the Criminal Code of Canada, but there are some workarounds with certaintypes of wagers.
Generally, most wagers placed at licensed betting sites inCanada must be placed as a part of parlays. This means fans must add at leasttwo selections to a betting slip and both selections must be correct for thebet to win. Salon casino mitras surprise. In this manner, parlays are more difficult to win than singles butoffer higher payouts.
However, some types of 'singles' skirt by the Criminal Code of Canada by essentially combining two outcomes into a single wager. For example, British Columbia's PlayNow.com website allows customers to place single Correct Score wagers because those wagers essentially require making two selections (the correct score of each team). Other types of wagers also fit this definition as explained here.
International gaming sites headquartered and licensedoutside of Canada do not follow such restrictions.
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) is an online gamingregulator headquartered on Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec and establishedin 1996. At one point, the KGC was one of the most prominent licensing jurisdictionsfor international sports betting and gambling sites.
Some of the KGC's popularity as a regulatory body was due tomaintaining high standards and some was due to its willingness to licenseoperators that offered their services to the United States and other jurisdictionsthat did not regulate online betting.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission has declined in prominence inmore recent years amid a trend of countries around the world choosing tolegalize and regulate online gambling on their own. The growth of legal online sportsbetting and gambling in the United States has played a large role in this aswell, with increasing numbers of Americans dropping offshore gaming sites infavor of regulated options at home.
An example of the US role in pushing operators away from KGC licensing can be found in an agreement the Commission struck with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) in 2016. Under the terms of the agreement, the KGC agreed to take regulatory action against licensees who offer their services to New Jersey residents.
Banking Options For Canadians
Canadian gamblers ave a large variety of options available to deposit into online betting sites. Most methods are instant and are either free or close to it.
Instadebit Betting Sites – Instadebit.com is one of the most popular methods for deposit to online gambling sites. The company acts as an online wallet linked to your bank account. You can move funds between your bank account, Instadebit and any gambling site. The service works quickly and has so far proven to be reliable.
Deposits and withdrawals are processed for free and money moves through the system quickly. If you frequently bounce around between Canadian gambling sites, this is your best bet. The only time you pay a fee is when transferring money from Instadebit to your bank account.
Skrill Betting Sites – Skrill left the Canadian market in 2014 thanks to poorly-written banking laws. The government's stance on internet gambling is unclear and a number of payment processors have exited the country out of an abundance of caution. Skrill no longer serves the country, but there are plenty of alternatives.
Other Payment Methods – Credit card, bank wire and paper check are other deposit options that may be available for Canadians. Costs for these methods vary, along with availability depending on the online gaming site of your choosing. Paypal is not available to Canadians for online betting purposes.
The Last Word
In summary, Canada is a friendly nation for fans of sportsbetting and online gambling. The availability of wagering varies from provinceto province and the legality of international betting sites is very much alegal grey area, but generally Canada is a good place to live as a gambler orsports fan.
Today, most provinces offer at least a handful of legalsports betting and online gaming options. Whether it's parlay-style wagers, onlinecasino games or online lottery tickets, most Canadians have choices.
One area in which there is still significant room forimprovement is in the sports betting options offered by provincial governments.Every province with legal sports betting is dominated by a single, state-authorizedmonopoly provider.
The odds and bonuses offered by licensed providers are not competitive with unlicensed offshore betting sites. The Canadian government would see a significant uptake in gamblers choosing licensed betting sites if it would relax some of its gaming laws to allow for more competition among domestic providers.
