Best Sports Betting Apps in Canada (2023)

Top Sports Betting Apps in Canada

Are you looking for the best online betting apps that are legal for players from Canada? You have come to the right place. Betting apps are available for most of the online betting sites that are legal in Canada, but, some are quite simply better than others. Compare the best online betting apps in Canada and learn how to install betting apps on Android and iOS.

We have also compared and ranked the best betting apps for sports, including the best cricket betting apps and the best football betting app.

Betting operators have invested a lot of money in their betting apps in recent years, and there are several fantastic options for players from Canada. bet365 and Betway stand out as the two best betting apps available to players from Canada. Both are legal, and licensed, and accept deposits and wagers in Canadian Dollars.

New Laws for Betting Apps in Canada

Canadian betting laws are constantly changing. Thanks to recent law updates, players in Canada can look forward to more legal betting options and a vast open betting market. 

Below are the most recent and significant changes to betting app laws in Canada. 

• August 2021 - Bill C-218 passed, allowing single-game sports betting. 
• April 2022 - The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario introduce a new open iGaming market in Ontario. Privately-owned betting sites can now apply for regulation and licensing from the AGCO and iGaming Ontario.  

Since Bill C-218 was passed in August 2021, betting apps in Canada can offer more options for players. This Bill allows sportsbooks (desktop and app versions) to offer single-game betting.  

Previously, all sports bets had to be parlays. In other words, the success of a wager was based on the outcome of two or more bets. A parlay is only successful when each bet is won. Now, thanks to the introduction of single-game betting, bettors have better odds! 

The new open gambling market in Ontario is also a big change in recent betting app legislation. By regulating and licensing private betting apps and websites, Ontario has created a more inclusive iGaming market. Best of all, this open market offers substantially more gaming opportunities.  

How to Download Android Betting Apps in Canada

Before the betting law changes above, privately-owned and under-regulated betting apps were not allowed on Google Play. Now, almost all betting apps that are licensed and regulated by iGaming Ontario and the AGCO are available on Google Play. This means Android users can download these apps easily, without having to worry about downloading an APK.  

To download a betting app on your Android device, simply head over to Google Play and search for the app. Select “Install” to download the app to your device. Once downloaded, you’ll be able to log in using your account. Alternatively, create a new account to get started. 

If your chosen betting app is not yet available on Google Play, you can download the APK. Here’s how. 

To start, you will need to permit access to apps outside of the Google Play Store.

This is easily done by navigating to your devices Menu > Settings > Security > Unknown Sources

Once you have done this, you can download the APK of any betting app from the operator's website. Be sure to only download the betting app from a verified source, such as the operator's website.

Note: You will need to confirm the download of each betting app as Android categorizes any apps downloaded outside of the Google Play Store as unknown.

1. Navigate to the operator of your choice
2. Find the betting app page, and click "Download"
3. A message will pop up on your screen, accept and continue
4. Confirm and install the betting app
5. Open the app and start betting

How to Download Betting Apps on iOS (Apple)

If you own an Apple device, downloading your chosen betting app will be much easier. Simply navigate to the App Store, search for the betting app of your choice, and download the app. You can log in to your account, or register directly through the betting app.

How We Choose The Best Betting Apps

With the hectic lives people live today, it’s hard to be tied down to a desktop computer. That’s why many great online casinos and sportsbooks in Canada have created mobile apps.  

Mobile betting apps allow users to place bets from anywhere (as long as they have data or a WiFi connection).  

At BettingGuide.com we always bring you the best. That’s why we’ve searched high and low to find the best betting apps in Canada. But how do we determine which apps are the best? 

We evaluate each app using several criteria to ensure they check all the boxes. Let’s take a look at the most important features of the best betting apps: 

• Safety, Licenses & Reputation 
• Payment Methods Accepted 
• Accessibility  
• Speed & Reliability 
• User Ratings  
• Customer Support 
• Sports Available 
• Live Streaming 
• Special Mobile Bonuses 

Safety, Licenses & Reputation 

With so much uncertainty on the internet these days, trusting the sites you use is of utmost importance. Vetting each app for licensing and checking their reviews can help users determine how reliable and safe an app is.  

There are many trustworthy licensing bodies that you can look for when considering which apps are best, including: 

• Malta Gaming Authority 
• Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association 
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and more

If you’re located in Ontario, it’s recommended that you stick to betting sites and apps that are approved by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario. This will ensure that you are gambling on a 100% legal betting site.

Another way to determine the reputation of a betting app is to see which game developers are associated with it. Game developers go through a rigorous process when deciding which sites and apps to put their games on. This ensures that their reputation is not negatively affected.  

Here are some great game developers you’ll find on the best betting apps: 

• NetEnt 
• Playtech 
• Microgaming 
• Evolution Gaming 
• Yggdrasil 

Payment Methods Accepted 

Payment methods that are fast and efficient can make or break a betting app. We always look for a good variety of payment methods and quick payouts. Here are the most common payment methods we look for:

• Interac  
• Credit card (Visa & Mastercard) 
• E-wallets  
• Prepaid vouchers 
• Bank transfer 

Some betting apps even accept cryptocurrencies. If you’re a crypto maxi, keep an eye out for these casinos and be sure to check out our guide to the Best Bitcoin Casinos in Canada.

Accessibility  

Another important factor to consider is accessibility. Can the app be downloaded and used on both Android and iOS devices?  

There are some restrictions when it comes to Android betting apps. However, there are steps online casinos can take to overcome these challenges for users. The best casinos in Canada always find ways to increase accessibility. For instance, the Google Play Store doesn’t allow users to download betting apps directly. So, the best betting sites provide an APK.  

Some casinos and sportsbooks don’t have apps at all. Many offer a mobile-compatible site instead. This can be a good option, as it will work on any mobile device regardless of the operating system. The downfall to mobile sites, however, is that they require users to log in each time they want to play. This can be inconvenient for some.  

Speed & Reliability 

A slow or glitchy betting app can be extremely frustrating. That’s why we look for betting apps that are fast and reliable.  

Apps can be fast, even when internet signals are weak. This is because apps store some information. As a result, not everything needs to be reloaded each time. In this case, betting apps are superior to mobile betting sites.  

When reading app reviews look for negative keywords such as: 

• Slow 
• Glitchy 
• Bugs 
• Freezes 

Avoid betting apps with these keywords.  

User Ratings  

Checking the ratings of an app on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store can also help you determine the best betting apps. Customer reviews and ratings are some of the most honest reflections of an app. With ratings, you can learn from others’ experiences. 

Ratings on the Google Play Store and the App Store are out of 5. Look for ratings that are higher than 3. Also, be sure to take into account how many users have rated the app.  

Customer Support 

Always consider how helpful and available a betting app’s customer support is. Are they easy to reach? Are they available 24/7? Can they solve the issues you have? 

Choosing a betting app with superior customer service will make your experience a lot more enjoyable. It’s important to know that you’ll be able to seek help and resolve matters, if necessary. 

Sports Available 

For sports betting apps, be sure to check and see which sports are available. Some betting apps won’t offer the same choices as their desktop sportsbook.  

Ensure that the sports you enjoy betting on are offered on the app before downloading it and creating an account. Here are some of the most popular sports we look for when researching the best betting apps: 

• Soccer 
• Hockey 
• Baseball 
• Football 
• Basketball 
• Lacrosse 

Looking into betting markets is also important. For example, if you love hockey check to see that the betting app offers the following popular leagues: 

• Canadian Hockey League (CHL) 
• National Hockey League (NHL) 
• Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) 
• Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 
• Western Hockey League (WHL) 

Live Streaming 

Some top betting apps will offer free live streaming. This can make betting on sports more exciting and interactive.  

Live streaming allows you to:

• Watch events for free 
• Make better betting decisions based on live coverage of the sporting event 
• Be entertained, etc.

Mobile Sites vs Mobile Apps

When playing on the go, online casinos and sportsbooks have two options for users - mobile sites and mobile apps. There are several differences between these two options.

Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Advantages of Mobile Sites:

• System compatibility is not necessary - all operating systems can seamlessly access mobile sites 
• Don’t rely on operating system updates 
• Typically offer the same sports and casino games as the desktop site  

Drawbacks of Mobile Sites: 

• Smaller screen compared to desktop site 
• Security can become an issue if using public WiFi  
• Use a lot of data without WiFi

Advantages of Mobile Apps: 

• Faster loading speeds because many images and videos are stored on the app 
• Convenient and quicker to access - don’t need to sign in each time  
• Push notifications on betting apps can send new bonuses and promotions 

Drawbacks of Mobile Apps: 

• Don’t always offer the same variety of sports or casino games  
• Can have software glitches or bugs 
• Rely on frequent updates to keep betting app current