Best Canadian Betting Sites (2023)

How We Choose the Best Online Bookmakers in Canada

While we’re happy to find the best betting sites for you, we’re also happy to share our secrets. Finding a good site can be difficult these days. But there are a few important things we recommend you keep in mind.  

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the best Canadian betting sites. This list compares the best online bookmakers and looks at which sites offer the most sports, betting markets, and the highest betting odds.  

To make sure all of the betting sites on our list provide a legal, safe, and top-tier betting experience for Canadian players, we review and rank each bookie in 6+ key areas. 

We also compare the best betting sites for popular sports. Below, you’ll find the best bookies for hockey, soccer, MLB, NBA, and horse racing. 

Want to know how to find the best betting sites in Canada? Here’s what we look for in top bookmakers.

Legal, Licensed & Safe

To guarantee you have the best online betting experience, use only betting sites that are legal and licensed. Many unlicensed and illegal bookmakers exist. Stay away from these. Sticking to legal and licensed sportsbooks will ensure: 

• You are not participating in any illegal activity 
• The betting is fair 
• You avoid being scammed

Online gambling in Canada is still a grey area. In all provinces and territories except Ontario, the laws for online gambling on offshore betting sites are unclear. This lack of regulation and laws allows many Canadians to legally play at offshore betting sites. 

Offshore betting sites operate in this grey area where there are no laws against online betting for players from Canada. Therefore, Canadians, and millions of others around the world, continue to gamble safely using these sites. 

What’s different about legal online gambling in Ontario? On April 4, 2022, Ontario opened its iGaming market to select privately-owned gaming sites. Online casinos and sportsbooks such as BetMGM and PlayOJO are included in this open market. 

Members of the open market are licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario. As a result, these sites are 100% legal and safe for players in Ontario.

With this new law in place, Ontarians can still gamble at unregulated offshore sites. However, it is recommended that players in Ontario use betting apps that are regulated by the province. These regulated sites are the best and safest places to play. 

At BettingGuide.com, we only list legal Canadian sportsbooks and licensed offshore betting sites (i.e. sites with no operations in Canada) that accept deposits in Canadian Dollars.

Much like the online casinos and sportsbooks regulated by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario, regulated offshore betting sites hold gambling licenses. These licenses are provided by respected international authorities, including the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

Each internationally regulated sportsbook must comply with strict safety regulations or risk losing its licenses. On top of this, the best betting sites offer high-end online security which secures communications by encrypting all data to and from the site.

Gamblers in Canada can also choose to gamble on betting sites that hold valid gambling licenses from respected authorities within Canada. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission, for example, provides licensing for many offshore sportsbooks and casinos.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was founded in 1996. This organization is responsible for regulating and licensing all gaming activities in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission also licenses and regulates hundreds of online casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms, including Canadian online casinos such as Spin Casino and Jackpot City. 

Security and trust are two of the most important factors when choosing online sports betting sites. All of the Canadian sportsbooks we recommend are guaranteed to be safe and secure.

You can also determine whether a site is trusted by researching its industry reputation. Read through our reviews and follow the suggestions of trusted guides like this one. 

When gambling on safe and trusted betting sites, you can rest assured that:

• Your personal information is secure 
• Your financial information is protected 

Bookmakers Sign Up Offers

All of the best Canadian betting sites offer high-value new customer sign-up offers to attract new players. It is important to take full advantage of these signup offers, as you can only claim them once (on each bookie). As well, these sign-up offers almost always provide more value than any other promotion available.

Bookmakers offer these promotions and bonuses to compete with one another. Therefore, as a first-time player in Canada, you can expect to receive some sort of bonus from the best sportsbooks. The top Canadian betting sites will also offer returning players promotions and bonuses to stick around.

Keep an eye out for these common bonuses:

• Sign Up Bonus - many sportsbooks offer this bonus for new players. The site will match your first deposit, or give you a percentage of your deposit. For example, many sites will offer a 100% deposit bonus. Some may even offer up to 500%, to a certain amount. 
• Free Bets - free bets are also common. Players can wager with these free bet credits and, while you can’t withdraw the bet credit itself, any winnings are fair game. 
• Reload Bonus - to keep players coming back, some of the best Canadian sportsbooks offer to reload bonuses. This bonus gives you free credits when you reload your account with more funds. 
• Boosted Odds - no need to be a first-time player to take advantage of this benefit. Many sportsbooks will offer members boosted odds for increased payouts and improved chances of winning.
• No Deposit Bonuses - this is another risk-free option that is often available when joining a new sports bookmaker. A no deposit bonus is exactly what it sounds like - a free bonus that doesn’t require any deposit to claim!

In addition to these bonuses, the best betting sites in Canada offer contests and loyalty programs. The best benefits include:

• Weekly contests 
• Rewards programs that offer exciting prizes like vacations and vehicles 

Ultimately, you’ll want to pick a site that offers promos and bonuses that are most attractive and exciting to you.

Some players even sign up for almost every legal sportsbook available to take advantage of these fantastic free bet offers. But, not all signup bonuses offer good value, and it is important to learn how to spot the best and avoid the worst. But not all signup bonuses offer good value. Therefore, it is important to learn how to spot the best and avoid the worst.

Before you apply for a bonus, promotion, contest or rewards program, read the terms and conditions. There may be restrictions on certain bonuses and promotions and reading the fine print will guarantee the option is right for you.

Here are three of the most important things to look at when reviewing bonuses, promotions and rewards. 

1. Wagering Requirements - this will tell you how many times you need to wager the bonus to unlock the funds for withdrawal. The best bonuses come with no wagering requirements. That said, many betting sites require you to wager the bonus 10x the amount or more.
2. Bonus Restrictions - before signing up, check to see what restrictions there are on the bonus. For example, you may need to deposit money using a certain payment method, use the bonus to bet on a certain sport or market, etc.
3. Bonus Codes and Other Conditions - it is also important to check if you need to enter a bonus code and what the minimum deposit and bet amount are to qualify for the offer. Not all bonuses have these conditions, but it is crucial to check so you don’t miss out on the offer. 

Wide Range of Payment Methods

After making sure a betting site is legal, licensed, and safe, we check to see which payment methods are accepted to be sure residents from Canada can deposit and withdraw money.

There’s nothing more frustrating than signing up for a service, only to find that depositing and withdrawing funds is difficult.  

So, we want to ensure that residents from Canada can deposit and withdraw money quickly and conveniently! 

We also check to see if the Canadian betting site charges any fees for deposits or withdrawals, and the average time it takes to process payments. You will find this information in our payments table if you head to our betting site reviews. 

All of the betting sites in our list accept a wide number of Canadian payment methods including: 

• Interac e-Transfer
• PayPal
• iDebit
• Trustly
• INSTADEBIT
• American Express
• Apple Pay

When looking for the best online sports betting sites, make sure their payment options are simple to add and quick to use.

Look for: 

• Various payment and withdrawal methods 
• Options that will provide the fastest payout speed (e.g. e-wallets, Visa, etc.)
• Any additional fees associated with withdrawals 

Make sure the site you choose has an option that works for you. Most importantly, make sure the options are convenient for Canadians. 

Design, Style and Usability

One of the most important factors of a good betting site is its user interface. The best betting sites in Canada are easy to use. From loading funds to withdrawing winnings to placing bets, everything should be simple and intuitive.  

Don’t get frustrated by a bad user interface - stick with our top recommended online sports betting sites for a care-free betting experience.

When you need to place a bet in a hurry, the speed of your chosen Canadian betting site is key as well. This is why we run speed tests in all of the bookmaker reviews.

At BettingGuide.com, we regularly test the Canadian betting sites and apps we recommend. This way, we can provide our readers with an honest and in-depth look at each site.

How we test betting sites in Canada:

• We join each Canadian betting site and undergo the process of verifying an account, depositing funds, betting and withdrawing money
• We place several sports bets and attempt to use features such as live streaming, cash out, etc
• Check and update our reviews every 6-12 months.

Sports & Betting Markets Available

When it comes to online gambling, it’s nice to have options. Look for Canadian betting sites that offer a wide variety of sports and betting options. 

To make our list of the best Canadian betting sites, bookies must offer a wide range of sports and betting markets. We also check for other important features such as whether the bookie offers free live streaming and a cash-out feature.

Whatever your favourite sport is, you’ll be able to find a site where you can bet on it. Let’s be honest, if you can bet on an upcoming election, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to place a bet on your favourite CFL team. 

The best Canadian sportsbooks on our list offer:

• NHL betting 
• MLB betting 
• NBA betting
• NFL betting 
• MLS betting 
• UFC betting

The best sports betting sites listed above are bound to offer your sport of choice. 

Currently, bet365 Canada is our number one pick for online sports betting. With 30+ sports, free live streams, full and partial cashouts, high betting odds, hundreds of betting markets, and awesome features like including a bet builder that allows you to create custom bets, bet365 is hard to beat!

High Betting Odds

Once we confirm that a bookmaker offers numerous sports and betting markets, we look at their betting odds.

We recommend playing on the betting sites with the highest odds. This can make a huge difference in your outcomes. Not only will better betting odds result in bigger wins but can also help you save money.

For example:

• You want to put $100 on your favourite NHL team. 
• You see Site #1 has your team at 2.4. 
• You see Site #2 has the odds for your team at 2.6. 
• You’ll want to go with the better odds. But why? 

If you bet $100 on your team on Site #1 and they win you’ll get $240 - $140 in winnings and your initial $100 back. 

If you place your bet on Site #2 and win, you’ll get $260 - a $160 win plus your original bet of $100.

Betting Margins

In addition to betting odds, the sportsbook experts at BettingGuide.com look at each site’s betting margins. 

If you did not know, the betting margin is essentially how much a bookie "charges" you to place a bet. Simply put, the lower the betting margin, the higher the odds.

So, which betting sites in Canada have the best margins? We compare the betting margins of some of the top bookies below.

Best Betting Margins in Canada

Below are the results of our independent betting margins tests.

Keep in mind, that we only test a small sample of events and markets. Our goal is to give you an idea of how much each sportsbook "charges" you to place a bet. Therefore, we recommend regularly testing margins yourself to ensure you are getting the best odds possible.

1. Fansbet sports margin – 3.62%
2. Mr.Play sports margin – 4.75%
3. Spin Sports margin – 4.92%
4. Betway sports margin – 5.16%
5. bet365 sports margin – 5.68%
6. Unibet sports margin – 5.98%
7. 888Sport sports margin – 6.13%
8. 22Bet sports margin – 6.63%
9. LeoVegas sports margin – 6.75%
10. Sports Interaction sports margin – 7.64%

Mobile Bookmakers

Want to place a bet while you’re on the go? More and more Canadians are using their mobile phones to surf the web and gamble online. Therefore, the best Canadian sportsbooks offer mobile betting apps and mobile-friendly sites so that you don’t miss a beat.  

Make sure the betting sites you choose offer the option for you to move to mobile. These sites should be just as easy to use from your phone or tablet as from your laptop or desktop.  

The best sports betting sites will offer a great experience from any mobile operating system including:

• iOS (iPhone) 
• Android 
• Microsoft Windows, etc. 

The mobile betting experience is essential as the majority of players now gamble on a phone or tablet instead of a desktop or laptop. Therefore, we test mobile betting apps, and mobile-optimized betting websites to see which bookies offer the best mobile betting experience.

Compare which betting sites offer betting apps on Android and iOS below. Plus check out the results of our tests on our best betting apps in Canada page.

Customer Support

When it comes to technology, top-notch customer service is the key to a great experience. The last thing you want is to be stuck on a loading page as bets are closing with no one to help solve the problem. 

Look for sites that offer fast and effective customer service. Customer support should be easy to reach at any time. 

The best betting sites will offer support via: 

• Email 
• Phone 
• Live online chat
• Social media support

You won’t find these convenient customer support options on all betting sites in Canada. But the top ten bookmakers on our list all offer top-tier, 24/7 customer support with several contact methods.

Real Player Reviews

We encourage our users to leave real reviews of their experiences, both good and bad, to help other players decide if the betting site is right for them. Of course, it's quite common to see a large number of negative reviews, even on the most reputable betting sites. This is the nature of gambling.

That said, if a betting site accumulates too many worrying negative reviews, we will flag it as “One to Avoid”. For example, if a sportsbook starts locking accounts, refusing to pay, scamming players, etc., we will flag it right away.

Unique Features

Keep an eye out for new and innovative features on sports betting sites. Unique user interface designs and betting options can make your experience more fun. As well, if you are a beginner, some sites will offer unique features to help you learn the ropes.

Examples of unique betting options and features include: 

• Futures bets - betting on championship titles and player awards, etc
• Unique prop bets - wagering on team stats, half-time performances, fan behaviour 
• Sports data 
• Ability to cash out bets early 
• Odd converters 
• Parlay calculators 

The best betting sites in our list offer the most up-to-date features and fun, unique options.

Live Sports Streams and Betting 

If you enjoy the excitement of placing bets as you watch a game or match unfold, look for a site with live betting options. 

When selecting the best sports betting sites, we always look for sites that offer live streams and live betting. This is the most fun and exciting way to get in on the action. 

bet365, Unibet, Betway, 888Sport, Pointsbet, BetMGM, and Betsafe offer a wide variety of live streams across numerous different sports.

Languages and Currencies

Canada prides itself on being a multi-cultural country. Therefore, the best Canadian sportsbooks will offer services in various languages, including English and French.

Above all, you’ll want to make sure that the online sports betting sites you choose accept Canadian dollars. Every single gambling site on BettingGuide.com accepts Canadian dollars and offers a wide range of local and international payment methods for players from Canada.

Sports Betting Laws in Canada

Sports betting laws in Canada have undergone many exciting changes. Here are the most recent law changes that you should be aware of: 

• August 2021 - Bill C-218 passes, allowing single-game sports betting. 
• April 2022 - Ontario introduces a new open iGaming market that allows privately owned sites to apply for regulation and licensing. Approved betting sites can legally operate in Ontario.

Let’s take a look at each law update more closely and discuss what these changes mean for Canadians. 

Bill C-218  

Bill C-218 was monumental for Canadian sports bettors. Before August 2021, sports bettors were limited to parlay bets only. This meant that bettors had to wager on the outcome of two or more games in any given bet. In a parlay, each bet must be successful to win the entire parlay bet.  

Single-game betting is much more exciting and gives sports bettors better odds. Therefore, the introduction of single-game betting in Canada was welcomed with open arms!  

Open iGaming Market in Ontario 

The introduction of Ontario’s open iGaming market was also a noteworthy milestone for Canadian sports bettors. Thanks to this opening iGaming market, Ontario now has many more safe and legal sports betting options.  

To join the open iGaming market in Ontario, operators must be approved, licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario. These government organizations hold the regulated Ontario sportsbooks and casinos to a very high standard. If these regulated sites don’t abide by certain guidelines they risk losing their license. As a result, these sites are much safer and more reliable than unregulated offshore gambling sites.  

Sports bettors can find a list of all the gambling sites that are regulated and licensed in Ontario by visiting the iGaming Ontario website.  

Canadian gamblers also have the option to play at offshore sportsbooks and casinos. Although it’s frowned upon for players in Ontario to use sportsbooks that are not regulated by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario, it’s still an option. 

In addition to privately-owned and offshore sites, there are multiple province-run lotteries within Canada. These government-operated sites include:

PlayNow

What is PlayNow? 

PlayNow is an online gaming site operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The site includes slots, sports betting, lottery, and more.  

How does PlayNow work? 

Play now is a provincially-operated betting site. It works like most other betting sites in Canada. First, players must register and create an account. Then, users can load their accounts with funds to purchase bets and wagers.  

Once registered, users can place sports bets, play online casino games, and purchase lottery tickets online.  

Which provinces is PlayNow legal in? 

PlayNow is legal in British Columbia and Manitoba.

ProLine and ProLine+

What are ProLine and ProLine+? 

ProLine and ProLine+ are sports betting providers in Ontario. Both are operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).  

How do ProLine and ProLine+ work? 

ProLine is an online option for creating sports bets. Once a bet slip is created using ProLine, it can be taken to a retailer to be scanned and paid for. 

ProLine+ is an online sports betting site. ProLine+ allows users to bet on sports, including single-game bets, without having to go to a retailer.  

Simply put, ProLine operates in-store and ProLine+ operates online. 

Which provinces are ProLine and ProLine+ legal in? 

ProLine and ProLine+ are legal in Ontario.  

ProLine is also legal in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador).

OLG.ca

What is OLG.ca?

OLG.ca is a province-run betting site in Ontario. This site is operated by the OLG, a branch of the Ontario government.  

How does OLG.ca work? 

Ontarians can register for an OLG.ca account. This account gives them access to online casino games, lottery, and instant win games.  

Which provinces is OLG.ca legal in? 

OLG.ca is legal in Ontario.

Espace Jeux

What is Espace Jeux? 

Espace Jeux is an online betting site in Québec. The site was launched in 2012 and is regulated and monitored by Loto-Québec. 

How does Espace Jeux work? 

Espace Jeux includes an online casino, poker, and sports betting. Much like other betting sites in Canada, residents of Québec can create an account, load it with funds, and make various wagers online. 

Which provinces is Espace Jeux legal in? 

Espace Jeux  is legal in Québec.

PlayAlberta

What is PlayAlberta? 

PlayAlberta is an online gambling site run by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). The site includes online casino games, sports betting, live dealer games, lottery, and more.  

How does PlayAlberta work? 

PlayAlberta functions like other province-run gaming sites. Albertans can register for an account and participate in many gaming options online. The site includes everything from live Roulette to Lotto Max and more.  

Which provinces is PlayAlberta legal in? 

PlayAlberta is legal in Alberta.

ALC.ca

What is ALC.ca? 

ALC.ca is the Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s online betting site. This site was launched in August 2004. It offers access to ProLine (operated by OLG), as well as online slots, table games and lottery.  

How does ALC.ca work? 

ALC.ca allows players from Atlantic Canada to play online safely and legally. Users can create an account and deposit funds. With an account, users can play online casino games and purchase national and regional lottery tickets.  

Which provinces is ALC.ca legal in? 

ALC.ca is legal in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

*Saskatchewan, Nunavut, Yukon, and Northwest Territories do not currently have government-operated betting sites available. 

How to Join a Betting Site in Canada

Finding the best Canadian sportsbooks is the hard part (and it’s really not that hard with the help of our top trusted sites listed above). When it comes to signing up for a sportsbook in Canada the process is as easy as 1-2-3.  

After you’ve selected the site you’d like to use, head to their sign up page. Then simply: 

Provide your account details on the registration form.

• Country of residence 
• Province or territory 
• Name 
• Birthdate 
• Email address 
• Phone number 
• Home address 
• Username and password 
• Time zone, etc. 

Make sure to select CAD as your currency, if the option is provided. 

Before completing this signup, you’ll need to accept and agree to the site’s terms and conditions. We always recommend reading through the details to make sure you know exactly what to expect. 

1. Activate your account. 

An account activation code will come through to your email or as a text message. Enter this code to confirm your contact details and complete your activation.

1. Verify your identity. 

Although you may be able to start betting right away, you’ll need to verify your identity before you can withdraw money from your account. This is how the betting site confirms your identity and that you’re old enough to be gambling online. Details about how to verify your identity can be found below. 

After creating and activating your account, you will be able to load funds into it. Head over to the Cashier page to make a deposit and start playing. 

Please note: to withdraw funds, including any winnings, you will need to make sure that you have successfully verified your identity. 

How to Verify Your Identity on Canadian Betting Sites 

To verify your identity with Canadian sportsbooks, you’ll need to provide a few documents that confirm you are who you say you are. 

Typically, betting sites will ask for scans of: 

• Valid government photo ID (e.g. passport, driver’s licence, health care card) 
• Images of your credit card (if this is your selected payment method) 
• Proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement, or anything else that can confirm your address)

Although the process may be a little tedious, this is the sign of a good sportsbook. 

Verifying these aspects of a player’s identity helps to make sure the site is safe and that everyone meets age requirements. It also helps the site prevent illegal activity from occurring and ensures they are following each province and territory’s gambling requirements.

How to Deposit and Withdraw Money on Canadian Sports Betting Sites 

Depositing and withdrawing money on Canadian betting sites is simple.  

Just log in to your account, navigate to the deposit/withdrawal page and add your method of choice. 

 Various methods can be used to deposit and withdraw funds including: 

• Visa 
• MasterCard 
• American Express 
• Canadian debit cards 
• e-transfer 
• PayPal 
• Bitcoin 
• Wire transfers 
• Cheque by mail, etc. 

In most cases, the same option you’ve used to deposit funds can be used to collect money. In fact, you may be required to use the same method to withdraw that you used to deposit funds.  

Most commonly, Canadians use credit and debit cards to deposit and withdraw money. When withdrawing funds, these options typically take 1-5 business days to be processed. When available, eWallets like PayPal, are the fastest option.