Choosing The Best Sports To Bet On In Canada (2024)

With provinces now able to legalise single event sports betting in Canada, we've decided to celebrate by breaking down our favourite sports to bet on in the land of the maple leaf. In addition, this is also a guide to all newcomers trying to understand and make the most of sports betting Canada.

Best Sports To Bet on in Canada

Best Sports Betting Sites in Canada

1 / BetMGM Arguably the best worldwide for adapting to different jurisdictions Ontario exclusive version of site proof of that Many brilliant cashback bonuses available to Canadians See offer

2 / BetRivers Awesome all-rounder Inviting and user-friendly design Good range of soccer markets for European leagues See offer

3 / Caesars World-class mobile options for iOS and Android Huge casino name also provides deep sportsbook Caesars reward system offer potentially huge bonuses See offer

4 / Coolbet Multiple welcome offers suitable for all kinds of budgets Canadian focused betting site Great customer service includes dedicated Ontario phone line See offer

5 / FanDuel The biggest and arguably best operator in fantasy gaming Options adapted to suit Canadian sporting tastes Traditional casino also available See offer

6 1 / 3 Read LeoVegas Review Good coverage of ice hockey, notably the NHL Wonderful selection of live markets Another casino defying expectations in the world of sports Details Close MAIN FEATURES UK Gambling Commission Live Stream VIP Programme Cash Out Bet Builder Support 24/7 Native App Cryptocurrency Established in 2011 Double Winnings up to £100 Claim bonus Details Close MAIN FEATURES UK Gambling Commission Live Stream VIP Programme Cash Out Bet Builder Support 24/7 Native App Cryptocurrency Established in 2011 18+ New players only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via “My Offers” page within 30 days. Skrill/Neteller deposits excl. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play. Max. extra winnings £100. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad

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One reason we find sports betting Canada so exciting is that there are few countries (at least in our opinion) in the world with as great a sporting culture as Canada.

Based on the excitement surrounding the recent legislative changes and the fast uptake from top betting sites and sports betting Canada users alike, we think it’s clear that they are fond of sports betting too. With that in mind, we’ve decided to break down what we think are the top ten sports to bet on in Canada. And do note that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Could we really start anywhere else for Canada sports betting? No sport has the cultural importance nor captures the imagination of Canadians quite like ice hockey. It also happens to be one of our favorites for spread betting, which even has its own term “the puck line” synonymous with it. With over a thousand season games to bet on yearly and loads of depth, there’s no better sport to bet on in Canada than ice hockey.

Recommended betting site for ice hockey: BetRivers

Although it’s not a sport most closely associated with Canada, there can be no doubt of the popularity of the NFL in sports betting Canada, nor of its excellence as a sport to bet on. Many of the best bookmakers for betting on NFL are also the top for any kind of sport. Indeed, the competitiveness of the likes of the Super Bowl means you’ll find some of the most generous promotions of the year on that event alone, and its fast pace and high scores mean that it’s great for spread and prop bets.

Recommended betting site for American football: BetMGM

Another sport best associated with the USA that also has a place in the heart of many Canadians is baseball. Very different to the in-your-face smash mouth style of our first couple of picks, Baseball is more of a slow strategic affair. This makes it perfect for live betting, as you don’t necessarily have to be at the ready to make the most out of its moving parts. The best bookmakers for betting on MLB are a master of making the most out of that depth and are a joy to behold.

Recommended betting site for baseball: Caesars Casino

Another great option for live betting in sports betting Canada is basketball due to its stop-start nature. Action comes in bursts here, also making it an ideal sport for prop bets. Again too, the sheer popularity of the main NBA season means super competitive odds alongside often very generous promotions. Basketball is a sports betting Canada dream strategically too, due to the teams having so many opportunities to test themselves against each other, so there’s so much to research and consider.

Recommended betting site for Basketball: PointsBet

Moving away from team sports now, tennis is a hugely popular sports betting Canada option. Not only is it entertaining, but it also provides tonnes of betting opportunities. The way the games break into different sets let you be specific on what you want to bet – whether that’s set betting, total games, first set winner, or simply to win the game.

Recommended betting site for Tennis: LeoVegas

Not only is international soccer growing in popularity in Canada, but there’s also the exciting new addition of the Canadian Premier League providing some domestic sports betting Canada opportunities. Soccer can make a case of being the greatest sport to bet on in the world, with a near unbeatable set of promotions and betting markets. If you want to bet on soccer, there’s almost always a game on the horizon.

Recommended betting site for soccer: Unibet

Horse racing is massively popular in sports betting Canada as it is internationally. The way it works is straightforward: there’s a race and you need to decide how you think it’s going to go down. But within that simple premise is one of the deepest and most rewarding set of betting markets anywhere, just check out the form sheet and get lost in the sport of kings.

Recommended Betting Site for Horse Racing: Unibet

While Canada does love its classic sporting options, it is also a place of innovation – as evidenced by the increasing popularity of esports. Really this isn’t a single sport, but rather an umbrella term for all kinds of different disciplines, meaning there really is an esport out there for all of us. Another reason esports really stands out to us is that, like horse racing, it’s so readily available for live streaming, adding a whole new dimension to live betting.

Recommended betting site for esports: 888sport

Known as Canada’s national game, we can tell you that one thing we looked out for when checking out the best operators for sports betting Canada was the availability of Lacrosse. It’s a sport very well suited to online betting due to its depth despite it not being a game most closely associated with gambling.

Recommended betting site for Lacrosse: Coolbet

Thanks to the popularity of MMA and the recent resurgence of boxing, something that has really exploded in popularity across the gambling world is combat sports. It’s a unique betting experience because the markets are so distinct. Being able to bet on how and when you think the finish will go down really makes this one of our sports betting Canada favorites. It’s also an event-focused betting option, and big events can mean big promotions.

Recommended betting site for Combat Sports: FanDuel

Key Sports Betting Canada Events 2022 /2023

Using our top sports for betting in Canada as our guide, we’ve selected one big betting event for the rest of 2022 and some of 2023 for each to check out if you’re unsure of where to begin. We didn’t just choose these sports as our favourites for single game sports betting Canada for sentimental reason, and there are ten great events to showcase that below.

A Closer Look at Our Top 10 Betting Sites for Sports Betting in Canada

Considering how recent the legalisation of single game sports betting in specific provinces in Canada was, the selection of betting sites available for Canadians to place their bets with is great. Since the single game sports betting Canada bill, Ontario has really led the way.  Many others are expected to follow, with Toronto likely to be the next focus point of expansion.

Put simply, is sports betting legal in Canada? Yes, sports betting Canada is open for business in certain jurisdictions right now, and almost certainly more in the future.

While many other betting sites do a fantastic job of bringing their best to a Canadian audience, we would argue that none provide a more focused Canadian product than the mighty BetMGM. The magic of what they offer is every version of BetMGM – whether you’re from New Jersey or Ontario – feels truly dedicated to that area, from the welcome page to the sportsbook.

Is there any on this list as stylish as BetRivers? They manage to hit a perfect blend of colourful warm welcome with a certain sizzling Las Vegas cool that is so very hard to balance. But make no mistake, they are far from all style and no substance as BetRivers offers a great betting experience, backed up by competitive odds and tons of features. Well worthy of your consideration.

Speaking of Las Vegas magic, we have the mighty Caesars. Oddly, they only appear to be available for Canadians on their mobile app. However, it’s easily a candidate for best online betting apps. One of the finest portable betting experiences in the world for sportsbook and casino fans alike – Caesars have proven themselves over the years as a major player online, and they make sports betting in Canada a whole lot better.

Coolbet are wonderful at highlighting the games and markets most popular with Canadians, while also maintaining an international flavor. They are also so beautifully and innovatively designed, making for one of the most intuitive betting experiences out there. Speaking of innovative, their sportsbook promotions are something else – consider the “boring match guarantee”, where you get your money back should a game end in a goalless draw. Amazing.

We must be honest, as wonderful as so many of these different betting sites are, sports betting in Canada would not have felt complete without what many consider to be the greatest fantasy betting site in the world. They haven’t rested on their laurels either, tailoring their pitch-perfect product to Canadians for all kinds of online betting fun.

For sure, LeoVegas are better known for their casino offerings, and we can assure slot betting site fans reading this that they very much live up to the hype in that regard. However, their sports betting product should not be ignored with some great promotions being offered here, alongside a slick live betting experience and competitive odds across all kinds of sports.

The fact that Unibet built a dedicated site for sports betting Canada (as opposed to merely copy and pasting what has made them such an international smash hit) is a clear indicator of their seriousness in this market. As is a great deposit match for newcomers. When you back all this up with a first rate sportsbook, fantastic live streaming, and one of the best sports betting apps Canada and beyond, you’re onto a winner.

Last but not least is the uniquely mature yet inviting PointsBet. These are well known for being amongst the best options out there for spread betting. They certainly are that, but they are also a bookie of hidden depth. Just check out their live features, bonus options, and one of the best sports betting apps in Canada for proof.

Sports Betting Promotions in Canada

The good news for sports betting Canada when it comes to promotions is that even though it remains early on since the legalisation of single game sports betting Canada, the bonus selection can compete with the best in the world. Here are some of the great types of sports betting offers you’re likely to come across:

Sports Betting Apps in Canada

Many of the bookies which have made their way into online sports betting Canada are already long-standing established veterans of the industry. One of the many benefits of this is that sports betting apps in Canada are very common.

We expect this to get even better soon, as more Canadian focused sites have time to develop their apps. But rest assured, there are already plenty of iOS and Android options, so everyone can enjoy Canada single game sports betting.

ThePuntersPage Final Say

Even though it’s still early days, we’d say that anyone who happens to be in a province where single sports betting Canada is available is already spoiled for choice. And what’s really amazing is that they are just getting started! We’re expecting these options to expand further very soon, and hopefully one day all Canadians can enjoy betting on their favorite sports.