Canada Sports Betting Apps May 2023

There’s never been a more exciting time to bet on sports in Canada. 

Not only is sports betting legal in Canada, but Parliament has recently passed an act allowing Canadians to bet on single-game sports. Ontario was the first Province to legalize online gambling 7 the first Ontario online casinos and Ontario sportsbooks opened their doors in April 2022.

Though gambling is regulated by each province separately, most local governments have enforced similar laws regarding online and in-person Canadian sports betting. 

19+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Canada?

Yes! Sports betting is officially legal in Canada in the Province of Ontario. It has been legal to bet on multiple events on one ticket, for a few years, but now single-event sports betting has been legalized in Ontario.

Parlay Sports Betting

Parlay sports betting has been legal in Canada for some time. With this type of betting, you can place multiple bets on one ticket. 

Since single-game betting has not been legal, this has been pretty much the only way to bet on sports legally in Canada. Luckily, the country has reconsidered the legality of single-event betting, making it easier for Canadians to place their sports bets!

Of course, you can still bet on multiple events on one ticket — even after single-game sports betting is completely legal. 

Single Game Sports Betting

Until June 2021, single-game sports betting was not legal in Canada. Parliament passed an act at the end of the month to legalize single-game betting, and it’s expected to be signed into law by the Prime Minister shortly.

This law has left many locals and sports teams scratching their heads for years. And the reason this type of betting was illegal for so long? Lawmakers feared that single-game sports betting could lead to the manipulation of local matches — meaning officials were concerned that someone might ‘fix’ a match to ensure a gambling payout. 

The law was also originally written to ensure local provinces could keep autonomy over their local lotteries. 

Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting is legal in Canada, but whether or not there are regulated sites where you can actually play depends on which Province you're in. There is little national regulation of placing sports bets online, making it the jurisdiction of local provinces, and so far, online Ontario has made online sports betting legal. 

To make matters even more confusing, offshore sports betting also remains in a legal gray area. Technically, placing bets at most offshore betting sites is not legal in Canada. Yet, the government hasn’t moved to enforce any laws regarding offshore betting. 

Many local provinces also run their own online betting sites, and locals may bet on casino games and sporting events on these sites. 

Betting by Province

Local Canadian provinces still maintain much of their autonomy over local gambling and sports betting laws. Many provinces own and operate their own online betting sites, including sportsbooks and casinos. 

The legality of both in-person and online betting primarily depends on the geographical location of the bettor in Canada. 

Manitoba

Not only is online sports betting legal in Manitoba, but the local province operates four sports betting websites. There are also several privately owned online sportsbooks that welcome Manitoba residents, too. 

Residents may also play casino games and card games online at one of Manitoba’s online casinos. Players must be at least 18 years old to gamble in Manitoba. 

Quebec 

The gambling laws in Quebec are slightly stricter in some ways than in other provinces. This is the only Canadian province that does not allow residents to play free online sweepstakes run by private corporations.

The good news is that online sports betting is very legal in Quebec, and the province runs its own online sportsbook, Mise-O-Jeu. 

Once single-game sports betting is legal in Canada, we expect to see even more online sports betting options in Quebec, too. As more and more Canadian-based sportsbooks continue to open, we can’t imagine that the capital of nightlife will be left out of the shuffle. 

Ontario 

Online sports betting is very new in Ontario, but it's fully legal! Online gambling is limited to players 19 and older (unlike other provinces that have set the legal gambling age at 18). Players who are 18 years old may still purchase lottery tickets legally. 

Alberta 

Online sports betting is also legal in Alberta. This province operates its own online gaming sites through the AGLC and WCLC. 

Just as in Manitoba, the sites that operate legal online betting in Alberta are Point-Spread, PRO-LINE, Pro-Picks Pools, and Pro-Picks Props. 

The province may allow private companies to start running online sportsbooks as well — especially as other provinces start to allow private companies to run sports betting sites. 

Canada Sports Betting: Best Online Sportsbooks

Currently, there’s a bit of gray area when it comes to online sports betting in Canada. 

It’s not yet legal on a national level to bet on sports online; yet, many provinces do operate their own online betting websites. For example, the province of Alberta currently runs an online casino site that residents (or those physically located within the province) can bet at. 

Since the country’s betting laws are expanding, Canada is looking into national partnerships to bring online sports betting safely to residents. One of those partnerships is with the online betting powerhouse, DraftKings. 

DraftKings

The online betting powerhouse DraftKings is currently operating legally within Ontario. 

Canadian Offshore Sportsbooks

There are many sportsbooks that are NOT licensed in Ontario, but are licensed through Tribal Casinos like BetRegal and TrueNorth - those operators do allow players from all over Canada, however, due to the new regulations, they are technically not licensed to operate in the Province of Ontario. Before signing up for an account at an online sports betting site in Canada, it’s best to read the fine print to find out if residents are legally allowed to play. 

888 Sport

According to the 888 Sports website, Canadians may bet on premier sports here. 

Based in the United Kingdom, 888 Sport is known for its large selection of sports, casino, and poker games. Just some of the sports that Canadians can bet on include:

American football

Baseball

Basketball

Football

Golf

Ice hockey

Tennis

Canadians may even bet on events, such as the Olympics, World Cup, and more! 

Deposits and withdrawals are extremely easy; deposits are made practically instantaneously and withdrawals are made through PayNearMe. 

Bet365

Another big name in online sports betting, Bet365 is legally offering online sports betting & online casino gaming in Ontario. 

While Bet365 is more well-known for its online casino, users may also bet on a long list of sports and sporting events at this online betting platform.  

Fanduel

Another one of the most popular online sportsbooks outside of Canada, Fanduel allows residents to play on its Fanduel Limited platform. 

This platform is known for its sports betting and casino. Just a few of the sports offered on the site include:

• Baseball
• ​​Basketball
• Football
• Golf
• Hockey
• Soccer
• Tennis

This platform allows betting on both a mobile app and via desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet browser. 

Unibet

Unibet is another online sportsbook and casino that welcomes Canadian bets. This platform offers betting on popular sports, such as hockey, football, soccer, and more. 

Though Unibet is a relatively new platform, it has gotten some great reviews, thanks to its stellar customer service. The website features live chat support (which isn’t always common in the world of online betting), phone support, and email support. 

Payouts may be requested via bank checks, PayPal, and Play+ cards. 

Online Betting Vs In-Person Sportsbooks

Online betting and betting at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook are two very different experiences, and both have their own pros and cons. 

When it comes to online sportsbooks, you’ll get convenience & comfort, with in-person sportsbooks, you get faster payouts (cash in hand) and the rush of betting on sports surrounded by other gamblers. 

Online Betting

Online betting offers a long list of benefits to gambling enthusiasts! One of the biggest benefits of online betting is convenience — especially in an era of lockdowns and limited travel opportunities. Gamblers may place bets from the comfort of their own home via a website or app. 

Convenience

One of the most attractive benefits of online betting is convenience. There’s no need to leave your home (or even your couch really!), as you can place sports bets from wherever you are — as long as you’re located in a province where online gambling is legal.

Most online sports betting platforms offer betting through their websites (accessible via laptop, desktop, or smartphone browser) or an app. 

Forget to place a bet on an upcoming event? You can do so from the convenience of your smartphone or another portable device. 

Safety

Online bettors are also concerned about the safety of their betting experience — both in-person and online.

When it comes to personal safety, we’re all a little worried about getting sick during a pandemic. Heading to an in-person sportsbook may mean dealing with crowds, close-talkers, and other bacteria-spreading issues. Betting from home may mean the difference between feeling safe and worrying about getting sick.

Online betting also offers plenty of financial safety, too. Most online sportsbooks follow protocols such as encrypting their websites and keeping information on secure servers to ensure financial information stays safe. 

You won’t need to wander around a casino or sportsbook floor with pockets full of cash, either. 

Social Aspects

While in-person sportsbooks offer the best opportunities for socialization, online gamblers won’t lose out on this aspect. 

Most online casinos and sportsbooks offer some type of socialization feature, allowing players to connect with friends and family on social media. This can be particularly helpful for players that want to bet on fantasy leagues. 

Of course, the social plugins used by most online casinos and sportsbooks don’t replicate the in-person experience. And they certainly don’t mimic the energy you feel watching the track on race day or at a sportsbook watching a game. 

Yet, these small touches do make online sports betting just a little more exciting if you’re betting from home.

Bet From Anywhere

What’s better than betting from home? Betting from a sports bar, restaurant, or viewing party! 

Since online betting allows you to make wagers from anywhere, you can bring the excitement of a sportsbook with you wherever you go. 

While we love betting at a live sporting event, not every event is equipped to take bets. 

Horse racing is one of the only events you can watch in-person and bet on at the same venue. If you’re all about betting on hockey, baseball, or football (but don’t want to miss all the fun of a live, in-person game), you’ll want to bring your sportsbook with you to the event. Mobile apps allow you to do just that. 

In-Person Sportsbooks

We happen to love the benefits of online sports betting. But that doesn’t mean we don’t make a trip to our local racetrack, sportsbook, or casino every now and again, too! Some of our favorite reasons to go to in-person sportsbooks include the exciting atmosphere, rewards memberships, and easy payouts.

Atmosphere

Probably one of the main reasons to visit an in-person sportsbook, racetrack, or casino is for the atmosphere and social aspect.

Betting by yourself at home doesn’t replicate the excitement you’ll feel at a live sporting event or surrounded by other bettors. 

While we love the convenience of online betting, we would never claim that online sportsbooks mimic the actual excitement of placing a bet at a racetrack or on a casino floor. There’s just something exciting about spending a day at the track, enjoying a cold beer and the warm sunshine — surrounded by other local fans. 

Easy Payouts

It’s famously easy to get paid out at a sportsbook, casino, or racetrack. All you need to do is head to the cage, hand over your ticket or chips, and get your money — in cash!

If you play at an online casino or sportsbook, you can usually cash out your winnings at the local in-person affiliate (many online gambling sites work with brick-and-mortar sites for seamless betting experiences).

Even though you’ll need to head to your local sportsbook to get your winnings, it may be worth it to enjoy a little bit of that famous atmosphere, too. 

VIP/Rewards Memberships

If your local casino or sportsbook offers a VIP or loyalty rewards program, betting at your favorite spots may pay off. 

Many of these retail establishments offer VIP and rewards programs to keep customers coming back for more.

Canada Sports Betting: Sports

There are plenty of sports to bet on in Canada! Of course, many Canadians love betting on local sports, such as Canadian Football League and National Hockey League games. Yet, there are so many more sports that locals can place bets on, too. 

Some of the most popular sports to bet on (in multiple-game events, fantasy sports, and soon single-game events) include:

• Canadian Football League
• National Hockey League
• UFC
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Curling

The above list is simply a general guide, as you can bet on pretty much anything online (as long as the sport, event, or type of bet isn’t restricted by national or local laws). It’s also possible to bet on events, such as the World Cup and the Olympics. 

Online Sports Betting Payments and Withdrawals 

Depending on where you’re betting, you’ll see a wide variety of online sports betting payment and withdrawal options. Most private companies make it easier to deposit funds than to withdraw them — but luckily, there are ways to get around waiting several business days to get your funds.

Online Sports Betting Payments

Most online sportsbooks accept payments by credit card, debit card, PayPal, and more. Deposits are generally made instantly, meaning you can start playing with your funds immediately. 

Local provinces may have different policies for online sportsbooks and may not accept the same forms of payments as privately owned sports betting companies. 

Online Sports Betting Withdrawals

Generally speaking, online sportsbooks (especially privately-owned companies not run by local provinces) don’t pay out winnings as fast as they can accept deposits. They also don’t send money via debit or credit card usually. 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get your winnings, including heading to a brick-and-mortar sportsbook location, online payment processing companies (such as PayPal), paper checks, ACH transfers, and more.