Best Canadian
Sports Betting Sites
Welcome to the ultimate hub about legal sports betting in Canada! Our recommended sportsbooks are fully licensed and have been rigorously vetted by our experts. Compare their features below and make informed decisions about your betting experience.
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19+. Gambling can be addictive. Please play responsibly.
19+ | T&Cs apply | Play responsibly | Connexontario.ca | BetVictor operates pursuant to an agreement with iGaming Ontario
What Our Ratings Mean
One Star
Sportsbooks with a rating of 1 are not reliable. They do not offer the appropriate security and they delay or cancel customer withdrawals. These betting sites are not recommended and should be avoided at all costs!
Two Stars
Sites with a 2-star rating do not try to scam players, but perform poorly. Their platforms are slow and buggy. They might be lacking important main features like live streaming, and have constant user complaints.
Three Stars
Sites rated as 3 stars have an average reputation and performance. They offer a lot of the features you’d expect in a sportsbook, but also do not stand out from their competitors regarding odds, betting tools, etc.
Four Stars
The bulk of our reviewed sites get this rating. These are highly reliable sites which offer a good betting experience to all types of bettors. They might have a couple of missing features that costs them the coveted top spot.
Five Stars
We reserve this rating to the top sportsbooks. These sites are user friendly and have an impeccable reputation. They also have a downloadable app, live streaming, and other elements for the best betting experience possible.
Upgrades and Downgrades
The rating assigned to each betting site is not set in stone. We revisit all betting sites on a quarterly basis and move their rating up and down if they deserve it. This ensures you always get the most accurate information possible.
How We Rate Betting Sites
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We Create an Account
To get the full picture, we register at the sportsbook and navigate the site like a normal user would. We also complete account verification (sending picture of ID etc.), and note how long it takes for account to be verified, the problems encountered, and possible solutions.
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Make a Deposit
We want deposits to be a breeze, hence, we check if the option is readily available and if there is a variety of modes like Interac, e-Wallets, PayPal, Paysafecards, etc. We also note how long deposits with different methods take, the minimum and maximum deposits per mode, and if there were technical issues.
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Check UI Performance
Loading speed is an important criteria here. Furthermore we also look into how easy is the navigation to various sports and leagues, your account info, responsible gambling section, and customer support. We also take into account accessibility and clarity of the bet slip, the info available on it, etc.
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Place Bets
Not just one bet, but multiple bets, and even record video/take screenshots to make it easier for you. We also check if cashout is available. Plus, if the sportsbook has helpful tools like a live stream, dedicated stats section, forecasts, podcasts, etc. and how you can navigate around/to these tools and use them.
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Make Withdrawals
Apart from the variety in withdrawal modes, our goal is to check if sportsbooks keep their promise of quick withdrawals. For this, we withdraw using multiple modes. We also track modes that offer good limits. Plus, the issues faced during withdrawals, possible solutions, and where to find help.
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Contact Customer Support
Does the sportsbook offer convenient modes of contact like chat and phone? If yes, is the support responsive or they leave you hanging? Furthermore, we ask multiple questions to understand if the support has the required knowledge of the provincial laws and the tools on the sportsbook.
Meet Our Experts
The experts mentioned at LegalBet Canada are responsible for writing reviews, comparing Canadian sportsbooks, and providing you with betting guides and responsible gambling tips. Get to know them!
Ana Gomes de Almeida
Before joining the team 3 years ago, Ana worked for 5 years behind the scenes for household brands like Betway and Betsson. She knows the ins and outs of sports betting sites. Having witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of the industry, she’s eager to share her expertise with fellow bettors.
Read MoreDennis Nath
Dennis has been honing his craft by writing content specifically tailored to the Canadian market for the last 3 years. This helps him recognize the preferences of the Canadian audience and adeptly create engaging and informative articles, reviews, and guides that resonate with the readers.
Read MoreAmy Webb
Amy’s introduction to the gambling world was 6 years ago, when she joined a casino operator as a content specialist. Since then, she has helped launch and maintain gambling review sites in 8 different countries. She’s tested dozens of sportsbooks, which is how she can easily spot a subpar brand!
Read MoreLegal Betting in Canada: An Overview
Is online betting legal in Canada?
Yes! Online betting became legal in Canada in 1985, when state-sponsored lotteries started offering parlay bets in a limited form. In 2021, single-event sports bets became fully legal as well.
In 2022 Ontario opened its market to privately-owned betting sites (private operators), meaning that users from this province now have access to a wider variety of regulated betting options.
What are private operators?
Private operators are online casinos and sportsbooks like Bet365 or Sports Interaction that are owned by companies rather than by the state. Only Ontario allows these brands to legally offer their services in the province.
Other Canadian provinces and territories don’t have a legal framework for privately-owned brands. However, since these sportsbooks are based overseas, they still offer their services all throughout Canada.
Are all private operators legal in Ontario?
No! Only betting websites with an iGaming Ontario license (listed here) are legal in Ontario. Those without it operate illegaly in the province.
iGaming Ontario (or iGO) is the subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) that was created to supervise online betting.
What if I don’t live in Ontario?
Outside of Ontario, private operators from abroad are unregulated, but not illegal. This means that you are free to use betting sites like Bet365 anywhere in Canada!
Sports lotteries like Mise-o-jeu (Quebec) or PlayNow (BC or Manitoba) are fully legal and available as well, although their offering varies per province or territory.
Are brands licensed in Ontario relevant for all Canadians?
We think so! Betting sites that have an iGaming Ontario license are thoroughly vetted by the Ontario regulator. That’s why we exclusively recommend them to all Canadians!
In our opinion, even if you’re in any other province or territory, an Ontario sports betting license is a strong indicator of the website’s legitimacy.
Will regular betting sites become legal across Canada?
This is unclear. While there’s no news of a federal law opening the market to private betting sites, some provinces like Alberta have shown an interest in doing so.
Only the future will tell if all Canadians will enjoy the protection afforded by a regulated legal betting market. Our timeline below will update you on any news.
Sports Lotteries vs. Private Sportsbook: Pros and Cons
To help you better understand the difference in features and licenses, we compared private sportsbooks with provincial lottery sites.
Private Sportsbooks | Provincial Lotteries | |
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Live Stream | Private Sportsbooks Limited Matches | Provincial Lotteries No Streaming |
Betting Markets | Private Sportsbooks More Props and Markets | Provincial Lotteries Fewer Markets |
Odds | Private Sportsbooks Higher Odds | Provincial Lotteries Lower Odds |
Offline Betting | Private Sportsbooks No | Provincial Lotteries Yes |
Cashouts | Private Sportsbooks Yes with Auto Cashouts | Provincial Lotteries Yes |
License | Private Sportsbooks iGO | Provincial Lotteries Provincially Regulated |
Who Can Use | Private Sportsbooks Anyone 18+ | Provincial Lotteries Provincial Residents Only |
Online Betting Legislation in Canada: The Latest Updates
Bill 16 is passed by Alberta’s lawmakers paving the way for the provincial government to create a separate entity to “conduct and manage” online gambling. That’s because the amendments state that Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission is not the only entity that can do so.
Alberta tables Bill 16, titled the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act suggesting amendments to Alberta’s Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act that could help legalize private sportsbooks, in turn, expanding iGaming in Alberta.
In an effort to protect children, Ontario bans sports betting ads featuring current or retired athletes, celebrities and social media influencers.
Betano withdraws from unregulated markets in Canada. This means it will only be available for Ontarians, while users from provinces such as Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, etc., will have to look at alternatives like Bet99.
In 2024, Unibet will no longer be available to Ontarians. By the end of the second quarter of 2024, Kindred Group, which owns the brand Unibet, will be pulling out of Canada.
bet365 starts offering horse race betting in Ontario once more, thanks to the brand’s partnership with Woodbine Entertainment.
This is the first time horse racing bets are legal online in private operators in Canada.
Coolbet, which was one of the first legal betting brands in Ontario, announces it will be exiting the market on April 3rd, 2023.
The platform will not be accepting new deposits starting from March 21st, and it will close its gaming operatons on March 22nd.
Saskatchewan sports betting lovers got their first regulated online betting operator: PlayNow.
The new betting site and casino is operated by SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority), which means extra revenue for the province.
Ontario launches its online regulated market! Ontarians can enjoy new legal sports betting sites, including well-known names like FanDuel Canada and LeoVegas.
For the latest updates on legal betting in Ontario, check out our Ontario betting guide.
Single-event sports betting becomes available online in all Canadian provinces with Pro-Line expanding into Nova Scotia.
Only the three Canadian territories don’t support this option online (although in-person single-event bets are allowed at local retailers).
iGaming Ontario announced that single-game betting can be offered by private operators in the province on the 4th of April, 2022.
The specific number of operators remains to be seen, although operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers are confirmed.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission announced that it is accepting bids from private operators that wish to enter the province’s sports betting market.
However, the AGLC will initially limit to two private operators to speed up the process as much as possible.
Only two months after single-event betting became legal, British Columbia bettors wager a record $25+ million in these betting markets.
Although there is no official news, there’s a lot of speculation that BC might open the market to private operators in the future.
Single-event betting is officially legal in Canada. Provinces can now regulate single-event betting as they wish.
Most provinces and territories follow suit, with Ontario, BC, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick all including single-event betting on their provincial lottery sites.
The Canadian Senate approves Bill C-218, which allows single-event sports betting, without any amendments.
Why Play on Sites Offered by Regulated Operators?
Secure Payments
Regulated, legal sites ensure that your your winnings are paid out in full and in a timely fashion. They also tend to have an array of payment options, and most of them don’t have withdrawal fees.
Protected Deposits
Legal sites protect your deposits and cannot misappropriate them in any way, regardless of the amount — the iGO license makes them liable if they try. And while this license doesn’t apply to the rest of Canada, brands owning it that do offer their services there can still be trusted.
Various Betting Tools
Betting would be dull without tools such as in-play betting, live streaming, or having a cash out option. With licensed brands, you’ll also have access to extensive responsible gambling tools, including betting limits, account timeout, and a help line.
Good User Experience
You won’t find shady-looking sportsbooks amongst ones with an Ontario license. They are aware the field is competitive and go above and beyond to make it as easy and intuitive as possible to place a bet.
Secure Data
When playing at legal sportsbooks, you’ll need to verify your identity via personal documents in order to be protected from scams. But, thanks to several layers of online safety, the personal data you have to share when signing up is secure.
Fair Odds
Legal sites cannot stack odds against the player, but have to keep them fair and competitive. What’s more, legal sportsbooks also tend to have a wide variety of sports and betting markets available.
What Sets Each Sportsbooks Apart
Below, we talk about the what stands out about each of the sportsbooks, so you can make an informed decision.
bet365
Thanks to their partnership with Woodbine Entertainment, bet365 is the only legal sportsbook in Canada where you can bet on horse racing from Ontario. They also provide the most HD live streams. Plus, they have auto cashout and higher odds for the underdogs.
Visit bet365Sports Interaction
Not only does Sports Interaction have sports like Soccer, NFL, NHL, but caters better to Canadian users with curling, lacrosse, and niche Canadian leagues. It is also popular for faster withdrawals and payment modes that make deposits and withdrawals easy.
Visit Sports InteractionBetway
Betway is the ideal choice for eSports. From League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty to StarCraft 2, and Rainbow Six, there’s every game you’d want. Furthermore, they have also competitive eSports odds. Plus, they also live stream eSports matches.
Visit BetwayBwin
If you are a soccer fan, you’ll also appreciate the Teams option which gives you all the matches of a team with a simple click. They also have 20+ payment modes that includes Interac, Google pay, Apple pay, MuchBetter, Visa, Mastercard, etc.
Visit BwinTonybet
Tonybet is one of the very few sportsbooks that accept cryptocurrencies as a payment mode. However, this option is limited to users outside of Ontario. There’s also a handy Forecast feature where you are rewarded for guessing the outcomes of 8 to 10 matches.
Visit TonybetBet99
Bet99 is most famous for its variety of prop bets across sports like the NHL, the NBA, the MLB, etc. Not just that, Bet99 also has unique betting markets closer to big sporting events like the Stanley Cup and the Super Bowl. Plus, we generally found higher odds for favourites.
Visit Bet99Top-Rated Sites per Feature
Cash Out: bet365
bet365 is our top pick if you care about cash out feature. Why? Because you get auto cash out that allows you to cash out as per set limit even if you aren’t glued to your laptop or mobile.
Minimum Deposit: Betway
Betway is the ideal pick if you are a newbie and want to start small. Not only can you start with as little as $5, they also have a variety of payment modes to choose from.
Live Streaming: bet365
The live streaming at bet365 is lightning-fast, offers HD quality, and has consistently provided the most extensive coverage in our testing, especially for the NBA. You won’t be disappointed!
Prop Bets: bet365
Bet365 is our team’s favourite for prop bets, especially during major events like the Super Bowl or sports like the NBA. They offer a wide range of betting options, from points scored to player shoe colors, all with competitive odds.
Trusted Payment Methods at Sportsbooks
Here are the most popular payment methods available at Canadian sportsbooks, along with the sportsbooks that accept them.
Payment Method | Withdrawal Time | Best Betting Site |
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Payment Method Paysafecard | Withdrawal Time Up to 3 Days | Best Betting Site bet365 |
Payment Method Bank Transfer | Withdrawal Time Up to 5 Business Days | Best Betting Site Betway |
Payment Method Much Better | Withdrawal Time Up to 3 Business Days | Best Betting Site Sports Interaction |
Payment Method iDebit | Withdrawal Time Up to 5 Business Days | Best Betting Site bet365 |
Payment Method Flexepin | Withdrawal Time Up to 5 Business Days | Best Betting Site Betway |
Payment Method Cryptocurrencies | Withdrawal Time Up to 5 Business Days | Best Betting Site TonyBet |