Sports Betting Sites Canada
The Canadian betting market is pretty distinctive. Several legal regulators operate in the country and oversee the bookmaking business in different administrative divisions. Our Match.Center experts conducted research of the local betting industry and are now happy to present the best sports betting sites in Canada in 2024. Also, from this review, you will learn about the laws regulating betting activity in Canadian provinces and territories. We will explain in detail the criteria we take into account, when assessing a sportsbook that you should consider too. At the end of the article, we will answer frequently asked questions concerning Canadian betting.
List of Online Sportsbooks
Provincial Betting Guides
For a long time, Canada did not regulate the betting market. Due to the position of the Canadian government, huge sums leaked from the country’s budget annually as local punters gambled on offshore betting websites. Serious discussion of this issue began only in the mid-2010s, when a report with impressive figures was published: Canadians spent from 4 to 15 billion dollars a year on offshore betting sites.
However, everything changed on June 22, 2021, when the Senate of Canada approved Bill C-218 “The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act” and legalised single-game betting. The entry into force of this act did not automatically legalise single-game betting throughout Canada. It only provided an opportunity to launch this procedure. Each Canadian administrative division had to independently determine whether to allow gambling in their region or not. Most provinces regulate betting as part of comprehensive laws, so do not be surprised by the names of some of them.
| Province | Betting market regulator | Law adoption date |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) | April 4, 2022 |
| Quebec | Quebec Alcohol, Racing and Gaming Commission | August 27, 2021 |
| British Columbia | British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) | August 27, 2021 |
| New Scotia | Atlantic Lottery Corporation | February 11, 2022 |
| New Brunswick | Atlantic Lottery Corporation | August 27, 2021 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Atlantic Lottery Corporation | August 27, 2021 |
| Prince Edward Island | Atlantic Lottery Corporation | August 27, 2021 |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation | August 27, 2021 |
| Alberta | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) | September 1, 2021 |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) | November 3, 2022 |
Quick Facts: Canada Sports Betting
| Single game sports betting launch date | August 27, 2021 |
| Legal age for sports betting | 18 (Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec), 19 for the rest |
| Legalised betting locations in Canada | 10 province; 3 territories |
| Online sports betting | Yes, in 9 provinces |
| In-person retail sports betting | Yes, all 13 provinces |
| Largest sports betting market | Ontario |
How We Rate and Review Sportsbooks
The Match.Center team are experts in Canadian and international betting, and at the same time ordinary punters who love betting on sports and want to do it comfortably. We know what to pay attention to and are happy to help you save time when choosing a bookmaker.
To qualify for a high rating, a betting site must meet several important criteria. Below, we provide a list of the criteria we use to rate bookmakers.
Legality
Let’s be honest, gambling legislation in Canada is quite complex. Provinces and territories regulate betting independently, so residents need to research the legal status themselves. However, we will not leave you without assistance. Read our Legal Online Sports Betting in Canada article, where we have a closer look at the legality of gambling in different parts of the country.
In any case, we recommend betting only on regulated gambling sites if the law in your administrative area allows it. This guarantees legal protection for punters in the event of disputes. It is important that information about licences is in a prominent place, for example at the top of a website or at least in the footer on its homepage.
Variety of betting options
A top-notch betting site stands out with a wide range of betting options. How many sports does it offer for betting? Perhaps you want to bet not only on football or tennis but also on something exotic like squash – in that case, this question should definitely interest you. But even if you are a traditionalist in betting and only stake on popular sports, you surely want to enjoy a large selection of betting markets.
Odds (margin)
The bettors’ winnings are directly influenced by odds, so when evaluating a bookmaker, we pay attention to the margin – the commission that a bookmaker includes into the odds. This ensures that such a betting site earns money in the long run regardless of the outcome of an event. The higher the margin, the more the company takes for itself and the less remains for punters. Match.Center is focused on the bettors’ interests, so high-margin betting sites in Canada will never receive a high rating for their selection of betting events.
Bonuses
Welcome offers, cashback, loyalty programmes, reload and sport bonuses tied to major tournaments are such a variety that has never harmed anyone. But it is not only the quantity that is important – the quality of promotional offers, i.e. the size and ease of obtaining them, is also essential.
Live-betting and streaming
A high-quality bookmaker’s selection of betting events should be varied not only in pre-match but also in the live mode. It is good if the bookmaker offers a large number of In Play events and a decent range of markets to bet on each match. However, it is not enough to focus on the quantity, it is also important to take care of the quality of the live service. This means that matches should be accompanied by detailed statistics and infographics. An additional advantage is the availability of live video streams. We will not hesitate to give a bookmaker a high score if it streams lots of matches and their range is not limited to second-tier leagues.
Mobile app
A mobile application is a must for any self-respecting bookmaker. Of course, it is not enough to simply develop a programme, it must meet the criteria of top companies. To be considered one of the best bookmakers, it must provide customers with a convenient, functional, well-optimised application with interesting features.
Payment methods
We believe that a decent selection of deposit and withdrawal methods is one of the important hallmarks of a great bookmaker. The more payment methods a company has in its cashier, the better it is for punters. If a bookmaker has more than 3-4 payment options, it is a plus. Most likely, you will regularly use only one of them, but in case of technical issues with one service, you can always switch to another option.
Support
When analysing a bookmaker, the Match.Center team cannot overlook its customer support. We assess the speed of response, the availability of the support service 24/7, the number of contact methods provided, and the competence of operators. A bookmaker will receive the highest rating if it meets all the four criteria.
Sports Betting Sites Canada FAQs
Can you bet online in Canada?
Yes, you can bet online in Canada. The sports betting industry was legalised in 2021 with the passing of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. However, there may be different local rules depending on the province/territory, such as the minimum age requirement for registration with a bookmaker.
What are the best sports betting sites?
In our article, we have provided a selection of Canadian bookmakers, many of which can be considered the best based on certain criteria. We will later prepare detailed reviews of Canadian betting sites to identify their strengths and weaknesses and assist you in making a choice.
What sports can I bet on in Canada?
You can bet on any sport available on the bookmaker’s website, as long as betting is officially allowed in your province/territory.
Is single game betting legal in Canada?
Single-game betting was officially legalised in Canada on August 27, 2021. However, each administrative division independently decided when to enact the law in their territory. Currently, single-game betting is legalised in all provinces but remains prohibited in the territories of Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
Can I bet online on a sports betting app in Canada?
Yes, you can place bets on sports via mobile apps of Canadian bookmakers just like on desktop websites. If betting is allowed in your administrative area, it does not matter which platform you use to place your bets – whether it is a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
