Written By:
Jelena Kabić
About Author
Jelena Kabic is a sports betting writer that focusses on responsible gambling. A psychologist by vocation, Jelena volunteered in a rehab facility, where she worked with gambling addicts. She now reviews all our content to ensure it discusses betting in a socially responsible way.
Fact Checked By:
Amy Webb
About Author
Amy's introduction to the gambling world was 6 years ago, when she joined a casino operator as a content specialist. Since then, she's helped launch and maintain gambling review sites in over 8 different countries. She's tested dozens of casinos and sportsbooks, which is how she can spot a subpar brand in an instant!
Last Update
November 15, 2023
Last Update:
The Best NBA Betting Sites for Canada
NBA Betting Sites
Welcome to my NBA betting guide! On this page, you’ll find everything you need to bet on the NBA in Canada, including a list of the best NBA betting sites.
You can also learn about different NBA bets, reading NBA odds and tips to up your betting game.
Let’s dive right in!
You can also visit LBC’s page featuring all the NBA 2023/24 predictions in one place!
Best Betting Sites for NBA in Canada
In Canada and not sure where to bet? I’ve compiled a list of reputable online sportsbooks that accept Canadians.
Note that many of these sportsbooks will also let you bet on women’s basketball. This includes the WNBA as well.
I’ve picked these sites based on their:
- NBA Betting Options
- Competitive NBA Odds
- Mobile Experience
- Range of Payment Methods
Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to legal, secure, and safe betting in Canada.
top nba betting sites
The very best ones include Bet99, Betano (Ontario only), bet365, and Sports Interaction. They offer a wide variety of NBA betting options, each with its own virtues.
Bet99
Offers one of the most extensive same-game parlay offerings of the group, allowing you to pick from a broad selection of NBA game props and player props for your SGP.
Bet99 also displays live, updated game information right on the betting page.
That can be useful as sometimes League Pass or other ways to watch NBA games are slightly delayed while the Bet99 display is always up to date.
Bet99 also offers “Flash Bets” where you can bet on the precise outcome of the next possession, such as a made or missed two-pointer or three-pointer, free throw, or turnover.
While not a feature everyone will find useful, it’s reflective of the overall depth of betting options available at Bet99.
Betano
Betano typically offers the best prices of the four when it comes to betting on spreads and totals.
Betano also has novel combinations of props in their player props offerings, such as Points+Blocks, which is a betting market unique to them.
The major drawback with Betano is that it is only available to those located in Ontario at this time.
For those of you who reside in Ontario, however, it should be your first port of call when hunting for the best price.
bet365
Bet365 has the best variety of NBA betting options of any of the four and has some of the most competitive odds.
Bet365 offers a great variety of player props as well.
These include alternate prop numbers and milestone bets that most other sportsbooks don’t have.
They also carry a ton of NBA futures odds including team total wins, all regular season awards, as well as conference and division winners.
They even have futures available for the newly established In-Season Tournament, including the outright winner and MVP of the IST.
Sports Interaction
Sports Interaction carries options similar to the rest of the slate with competitive odds.
Particularly useful for NBA bettors is the speed at which Sports Interaction posts odds and lines for upcoming contests.
If you want to bet on an NBA game before public money shifts the odds, Sports Interaction is typically one of the first sites to offer odds.
Sports Interaction can be a bit difficult to navigate, but the speed at which they make lines available and the wide variety of wagers available make them a compelling option in their own right.
How to Bet on NBA Games
Betting on the NBA in Canada is a straightforward process, and we’re going to walk you through it step by step.
1. Select your sportsbook and register an account.
2. Go to the cashier section and deposit money.
3. Choose the NBA game you want to bet on.
4. Choose your bet type. Once you select it, your betting slip is immediately updated.
5. Proceed to pay the bet.
How to Read NBA Odds
Once you get the hang of it, reading NBA odds is super easy! I’m going to use a straightforward example:
In this NBA game, the Indiana Pacers are playing the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks have odds of -175, while the Atlanta Hawks have odds of +150.
Let’s say I bet $100 on the Hawks, with odds of +150, we’d get a payout of $250, for a profit of $150.
On the other hand, betting $100 on the Milwaukee Bucks can get us a profit of $57.14 and a payout of $157.14.
Easy, right?
There are other betting options that might be a bit more complicated, but I’m going to walk you through them in detail on this page.
Also, take note that the example I used is for American odds.
You can also easily change the odds format to Decimal or Fractional on your chosen betting site.
LBC has a handy guide on reading different types of odds if you want to read about this in more detail!
Types of Bets at NBA Betting Sites
When you register at a sportsbook, you’ll find various betting options for NBA games.
Let’s look at the most common bets you’ll find at NBA betting sites!
Moneyline Bets
Moneyline betting is one of the most straightforward bets, and you essentially bet on which NBA team will win the game.
The odds will reflect who is the underdog and the favourite, and the returns you will get.
My earlier example for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks is the perfect illustration of a moneyline bet, but here’s another one to make it as clear as possible:
In this example, the Milwaukee Bucks are playing against the New York Knicks, with odds of -160 and +140.
In this case, a $100 bet on the underdog Knicks would return $240, a 140% return on your bet.
Alternatively, a $100 on the Bucks would return $162.50, or a $62.50 profit.
The odds are in favour of Milwaukee here, so the return on betting them to win is lesser than the riskier but potentially higher return from betting on New York.
must-know!
An important tip to keep in mind is that betting lines often move after enough people have had a chance to make a wager, which can retroactively change the relative value of a bet you made.
For instance, if enough people bet on the Milwaukee Bucks to win outright, that could see their moneyline odds shorten from -160 to -170 or even lower.
Thus, placing a bet on the Bucks after such movement has happened makes it a lower-value bet to you.
On the other hand, if you make a bet on the Bucks before the line moves, you are beating the line movement and increasing the chance of adding expected value.
Quote
Expert Quote
With NBA betting, a general rule is if you are betting on a favourite, you should do so soon as you can because bets by the public typically move lines further in the direction of the favourite.
Conversely, if you like the underdog in a given matchup, it’s often worth waiting until closer to tip-off to see if you can get a better price.
Point Spread Bets
Point spread betting takes it a step further than moneyline betting.
With a point spread bet, you will wager on which team will win the game and the points margin by which they’ll win.
spread betting
In other words, the point spread is the number of points by which the team is expected to win.
Let’s return to the Knicks vs. Bucks game for a concrete example.
The +3.5 next to New York Knicks indicates that the New York Knicks are the underdog to win the game, while -3.5 for Milwaukee Bucks marks them as the favourites.
Depending on which team you bet on and how the game ends, here’s whether you will win or lose your bet.
| Betting on the New York Knicks | Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks |
| If the New York Knicks win by any number of points, you win your bet. | If the Milwaukee Bucks win the game by more than 3.5 points, you win the bet. |
| If the New York Knicks lose the game by less than 3.5 points, you win your bet. | If the Milwaukee Bucks win the game by less than 3.5 points, you lose the bet. |
| If the New York Knicks lose the game by more than 3.5 points, you lose your bet. | If the Milwaukee Bucks lose the game, you lose the bet. |
As you can see in the example, the odds are evenly spread out at -110.
In fact, sportsbooks use the point spread as a handicap and usually have -110 odds.
understanding handicap betting
Handicap betting is used to even out the playing field between two teams that are not evenly matched.
This allows you to still have reason to bet on the favourites in any given game.
What Does Alternate Spread Mean in NBA Betting?
Alternate spreads are spreads that differ from the original point spread for the NBA game.
Most NBA betting sites will offer these.
An alternate spread will have a different point total and odds, as you can see in the example from bet365 below:
Alternate point spreads allow you to make wagers at the line of your choosing with odds that are adjusted accordingly.
They give you greater flexibility and the potential to prioritize risk and greater payouts or a bigger chance of winning.
Total Bets
A total bet, also known as over/under betting, is a bet on the total points scored in a game.
For example, in Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, the Under bet will result in a win if the total game points amount to less than 236.5.
On the other hand, the Over bet will win if the total number of points is above 236.5.
The size of the “total” depends on whether the teams are known to score a lot or not, so it will vary across different games.
Some factors you should consider when making a wager on a total are how fast the teams play, how many 3-pointers they shoot, and how well they can defend the paint.
Prop Bets
A prop bet is a wager based on occurrences or non-occurrences during an NBA game.
NBA prop bets can be anything ranging from the number of assists of a player, the first team to score, if there will be overtime, players with the most points, and a lot more.
For example, the most basic type of prop bet is wagering on whether a player will score more or less than a certain number of points, like Giannis Antetokounmpo Over or Under 32.5.
A standard player prop is tied to a player’s average productivity.
Giannis, at the time of this example, was averaging 30 points per game, so oddsmakers expect him to slightly outperform that number.
That makes prop bets all about matchups, minutes, and roles.
Quote
Expert Quote
For instance, if you think an opposing defence is well suited to stop a player from scoring, taking the Under on their points prop might make sense.
The same goes for a strong defensive rebounder like Anthony Davis going against a poor offensive rebounding team like the New Orleans Pelicans:
The key is that matchups will be factored into the line and price, but not consistently.
Anthony Davis is averaging just slightly above 12.5 rebounds this season, so oddsmakers expect an average performance.
If you look carefully, every day there are a few player props available where matchups are not weighed heavily enough, which provides positive expected value to the bettor.
top tip!
The best places to look are often at props for non-star players, as their play is less consistent on a game-to-game basis.
Injuries to top performers can also mean minutes increases for role players, and with increased minutes comes bigger production.
To see how a player might produce with more opportunity, check out Basketball Reference and click through to a player’s per 36-minute statistic.
That adjusts a player’s production to approximate how much they would produce in box score if they played 36 minutes, an average amount for an NBA starter.
But it’s important to remember that just because a player increases minutes, their production doesn’t necessarily follow at one-to-one ratio.
Quote
Expert Quote
Always keep in mind how a player is used, what their role on the team is, and what they’ll be asked to do given their matchup when making a player prop bet.
Game props are a subset of prop bets focused on outcomes of specific segments of a game, such as a team who wins a quarter, a race to a certain number of points, or spread, moneyline, or total for a quarter or a half of the game.
A useful tool for these bets is to look at a team’s net rating, or how much they outscore an opponent on average per game, broken down by game segment which can be found on NBA.com.
Simply use the advanced filters to specify what segment of a game you want and you can find out which teams thrive or struggle and when to bet on or against them.
good to know!
The outcome of the NBA game does not matter for most prop bets.
Parlay Betting
Parlay betting is when you make multiple wagers (at least two) and tie them in the same bet.
The higher the number of NBA bets, the higher the total payout.
Something to keep in mind is that adding certain types of wagers to a parlay may make it ineligible for a cashout bet.
For instance, on Betway, only moneyline bets are eligible for cashouts.
If you add a spread or total wager to a parlay with two moneyline bets, you can no longer cash out.
This is an example of a three-leg parlay, where the bet will cash if the Orlando Magic lose by 13 points or less, the Philadelphia 76ers win by at least five points, and the Memphis Grizzlies win by at least four.
The odds for that bet are boosted far above what you would make betting on three separate outcomes.
In this case, a $100 bet would yield $682, or a $582 payout, but only if all three of the bets cash.
Parlay bets can be made on wagers across multiple games, or same-game parlays can all be tied to events within a specific game.
good to know!
Same-game parlays tend to give you slightly better odds than normal parlays, but the house still has a considerable edge over straight betting.
When making a same-game parlay, the key is to build a series of bets that make coherent sense to bet together.
In other words, you have to construct a theory of how the game will play out based on matchups and probabilities.
Identifying a key player’s strengths or weaknesses can be a good starting place.
For example, the Philadelphia 76ers are one of the NBA’s best at defending the paint, in large part because their centre, Joel Embiid, is an outstanding shot blocker.
The Washington Wizards are not good at scoring from the perimeter, so Embiid’s presence is likely to depress their overall offence more than the typical team.
So a same-game parlay on Bet99, taking these factors into account, might look like this:
You’ve built a coherent narrative for why the 76ers will win the game, why it will be low-scoring, and the role that Embiid will have in it.
By rolling those three bets into one SGP, you get +300 odds.
top tip!
Although payouts are bigger, I do not recommend that you use parlays too often, as the risk of losing bets increases.
For the most part, parlay betting should be the province of smaller wagers and not a serious focus of your bankroll.
While the higher payouts will look enticing, the odds of success quickly turn against you the more legs, or parts, of a parlay you add.
Quote
Expert Quote
Straight betting is the more reliable way to increase your bankroll and should be the focus of your wagering if you want to play sustainably.
In fact, sportsbooks tend to have a whopping 30% house edge on parlay bets, which is a lot more than the average 5% house edge.
View parlay bets as a fun way to bet on some NBA games, but do not try to chase those big payouts if your bankroll does not allow it.
Futures Bets
NBA Futures are bets on an event that is happening in the future. For example, you can bet on:
- NBA Finals winner
- Most Valuable Player
- Whether a team will make the NBA playoffs, etc.
Odds will vary depending on what you bet on.
Here’s an example from Bet99, which is a sportsbook that has a multitude of options for NBA futures:
Futures bets are a test of your overall knowledge of NBA trends and outcomes.
With awards betting in particular, it is useful to look at the voting outcomes for previous awards to get a sense of how voters think.
Oftentimes, the winner of this season’s award will have been on the peripheral of the ballot in prior seasons.
The Basketball Reference awards page provides an easy index where you can see how voters have made their selections in the past.
Live Betting
Live betting takes NBA betting to the next level.
With live betting options, you can place bets while the game is in full swing.
This allows you to spot advantageous bets while the game develops.
good for NBA
For NBA betting, this is useful because of the high-scoring nature of professional basketball.
More scoring means the in-game lines for all three of the moneyline, spread, and total can shift dozens of times per game.
A live wager on any of those three bet types can make sense.
Odds typically don’t move much unless there is a change on the scoreboard.
By watching the game closely, you can bet on context bigger than the current score, such as substitutions of star players, injuries, or foul trouble.
Quote
Expert Quote
For example, If both teams end up in the bonus early and will shoot free throws for the rest of the quarter, that will likely make the total go higher without shifting the odds.
Betting the moneyline or spread on a favourite who gets down big early against a weaker opponent is another time a live bet can make sense.
Leads are never safe in the NBA, and teams with big leads often let their guard down.
Team quality also tends to show itself more over 48 minutes, and a first-quarter deficit can often equalize over the course of a full game.
If a team at the top of the standings, like the Boston Celtics, goes down early against a weaker team like the Portland Trail Blazers because they just happen to miss good shots early, you can get good value to bet on the game’s original favourite.
good to know!
Some sportsbooks like bet365 even offer live streaming of NBA events, which really help you speed up your betting process!
Do keep in mind that in order to place live bets, you should ideally be familiar with the game and can make accurate predictions without a lot of research.
With that in mind, I wouldn’t recommend live betting to a complete beginner, as it can lead to some unfavourable results.
In particular, it is critical not to chase losses.
Quote
Expert Quote
Live betting is great because you can bet on a favourite who is down six points in the fourth quarter, but if that same team goes down 15, don’t compound your first loss on a good bet with a second one on a bad one.
You will inevitably lose some good bets, but you will lose most bad ones.
NBA Betting Tips to Keep in Mind
Sports betting is always partly based on luck, which is why there is no foolproof strategy to win all bets.
Having said that, the following tips are good to keep in mind and will help you bet more strategically.
Compare Different Odds
Although the sportsbooks I listed all have good NBA odds, odds will still vary slightly from one game to the next.
That is why you should take the time to compare different NBA betting sites and choose the best for your bet.
For instance, I analyzed the odds for Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, and this is how the sportsbooks compared to each other:
| Betano | Bet99 | bet365 | Sports Interaction | |
| Indiana Pacers | +157 | +160 | +165 | +155 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -189 | -190 | -185 | -189 |
According to this example, the best odds for both the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks are at bet365, but there’s slight variation between all four sportsbooks.
| Betano | Bet99 | bet365 | Sports Interaction | |
| Indiana Pacers | -111 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -110 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Meanwhile, when it comes to the O/U, Betano is the only one offering slightly higher odds, at least for one of the teams.
Hunting for the best odds becomes even more important when betting on totals because there are often bigger differences between different sportsbooks.
For example, for the first game on Christmas Day, Betano and Bet99 offer similar prices for the Over and the Under, but the total is two points higher on Betano (Bet99 offers 222.5).
That might not seem like much, but that is a huge difference.
A two-point difference in the total is much more important than the slightly different price being offered.
If you like this matchup to be lower scoring, it makes most sense to go with the sportsbook offering the higher total, which in this case is Betano.
The same principle applies when considering player props.
Quote
Expert Quote
If one sportsbook is offering a better price on say, Steph Curry Over 4.5 3-pointers made, but the other is still offering a good price on Over 3.5, it’s often worth taking the worse price for the significant edge in probability.
Stay Informed on Player Injuries
Make sure to check for potential player injuries before placing a bet.
Because of the way that one player can dominate the ball, more than almost any other team sport, an injured or a resting player can significantly impact the outcome of an NBA game.
So before considering any bet, you should always have all the facts.
You should consistently be checking the injury report before considering a wager.
The ESPN injuries tab collects information and reports from local news reporters and details the official likelihood that a player will suit up.
Reading between the lines of an injury report is a skill that you can develop to become a more skilled bettor.
good to know!
Injury reports are released at 5 p.m. local time the day before a game except in the case of a back-to-back.
While it comes with risk, sometimes it’s advisable to lay a wager before the official injury report is released if you have a good sense of whether a player is going to play or not.
Once the injury report is released, all odds will move to reflect the availability of the player in question immediately, which could turn a bet you liked into one no longer worth making.
Some key factors to consider when judging whether a player will suit up include the severity of their injury or illness and the importance of the game.
Quote
Expert Quote
NBA teams are likely to ramp up their star players slowly from serious injuries, particularly if they have a history of injuries. Players are also much more likely to play through injuries for signature regular season contests and the playoffs compared to a normal game.
Players who have a history of injuries and are older are also much less likely to play on the second night of a back-to-back.
Pay Attention to the Schedule
A tired team with back-to-back games is likely to underperform.
Check the team’s schedule and take note of any games that might be a struggle for the team.
Sites like ESPN can be useful to check the NBA schedule.
Travel is also a huge factor in the quality of play in NBA basketball.
know where to look!
When you spot a line or a spread that seems off, always check the recent schedules of the team in question.
What you’ll often find is that the team that is proposed to underperform has been on a long road trip, which can be mentally and physically taxing.
NBA players are creatures of rhythm and habit, so never underestimate the importance of having their daily routine altered or potentially disrupted.
Examine Matchups and Consider Team Tendencies
When considering a wager, especially one on a player prop, understanding matchups is crucial.
NBA teams have different defensive and offensive philosophies, but in simple terms can often be boiled down to whether they want to prioritize scoring inside the three-point arc or outside of it and, in turn, whether they want to limit opponent shots near the basket or from three.
The NBA.com’s Shot Dashboard is one way to get a sense of this information for every team.
For example, if you are considering a points prop by a scoring wing like RJ Barrett, you should take into account how he likes to score.
Mostly, a player like Barrett wants to attack the rim and score his points in the paint.
Quote
Expert Quote
So a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who employ the league’s best shot blocker in Rudy Gobert, is going to impact him more than a typical player.
Sometimes props will be set with this in mind, but typically only for star players.
You can often find that role players’ props are simply tied to their season average in production or what they’ve accomplished recently, regardless of the current matchup.
By noting where these odds don’t shift, you can make bets with better chances to succeed than their listed odds.
Understanding 3-point shooting
The NBA is currently in an era where the frequency and importance of 3-point shooting have never been higher.
3-point shooting player props have thus never been more popular, and you can bet on the Over or Under on the number of threes a player will hit in a certain game.
These can be profitable prop bets, as long as you understand the factors to consider when betting on them.
Quote
Expert Quote
An easy mistake to make is to simply look at a player’s 3-point percentage, which is simply how often they hit a 3-pointer when they shoot one.
But a player’s shooting ability can’t be boiled down to just that number.
Equally important is how easily they can get up the needed amount of 3-point attempts to hit the Over.
Similarly, 3-point defence is often misunderstood.
A defending team has little to no control over what percentage an offensive team shoots from three, that number is proven to be practically random.
top tip!
So just because a team has held their opponents to 30% from deep for a week doesn’t suggest anything about whether that will continue.
What can be predicted with some confidence is how many 3-point attempts a team allows per game.
Some teams force opponents to take fewer threes and fewer of the most valuable ones from the corner where the distance to the basket is shortest.
When betting a player prop on threes, the first thing you should check is NBA.com/stats to see how many opponent threes the team in question typically allows and from what spots on the court.
That will give you a great edge when considering your bet that a simple 3-point percentage cannot account for.
It’s worth noting that these are all valid tips for betting on NCAAB as well.
Can You Bet on the NBA Draft?
The NBA is a 12-month sport, so while there are a few summer months without games, there is rarely a time in which you can’t find some way to bet on it.
The premiere event of the NBA offseason is the NBA draft, and there are a variety of ways you can wager on it.
nba draft betting
The most common way to bet on the draft is to predict the exact spot a certain player will be drafted, for example, picking Victor Wembanyama to go No.1 overall to the San Antonio Spurs last season.
You can also bet on a player to be drafted in a certain range, say between fifth and tenth overall.
While you can bet on the NBA Draft, you should not put serious bankroll into doing so.
Unlike the edges you can gain when betting on team performance, there aren’t reliable ways to gain an edge in predicting where a certain player will be drafted.
Furthermore, the cut that sportsbooks collect for betting on the draft hamper your ability to make a profit.
While a small wager on the draft is fine for entertainment purposes, it should not be a key feature of your betting.
How to Legally Bet on the 2023 NBA Christmas Games
NBA Christmas games have a long-standing tradition, and many bettors are looking forward to placing a bet precisely on one of these five games.
Luckily, Canadians can legally bet on these games as well, by choosing a safe and legal sportsbook that offers good odds (which I compare in the segment below).
Which Game to Bet On?
If you’re looking to place a bet on the NBA Christmas Day slate, you’ll want to go with the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets are the defending champions, and the elevation in the Mile High City gives them the best homecourt advantage in the NBA.
The Warriors are a formidable opponent, but their Achilles heel is their lack of size.
Nikola Jokic is the reigning Finals MVP and the best big man in basketball, so I expect him to help the Nuggets cover the -5.5 spread.
Two of the best teams in the NBA are sure to bring a lot of excitement, and should you bet on the Nuggets to win by six points or more, Bet99’s odds of +100 could result in $200 on a $100 bet.
FAQs
How can I bet on the NBA in Canada?
Betting on the NBA in Canada is easy. First, find a sportsbook that accepts Canadian bettors. Our selection of recommended NBA betting sites can be of use here. Once you’ve found the sportsbook, you can sign up, deposit, and place a bet on an NBA game of your choice.
How do NBA spreads work?
An NBA spread, or a point spread is a bet on the number of points by which the favourite team is expected to win.
A favourite is represented with a minus sign (-), while the underdog will be marked with a positive sign (+). For example: Milwaukee Bucks (-5.5) vs. Atlanta Hawks (+5.5). In said scenario, you are either betting on the Bucks to win by more than five points or for the Hawks to lose by five or fewer.
What is the best NBA betting site?
Our list of NBA betting sites for Canada will give you some of the top recommendations for Canadian players. I rate them as the best based on factors like their NBA betting options, live betting action, how competitive the odds they offer are, and more.
What is a parlay bet in the NBA?
An NBA parlay bet is when you make multiple wagers (at least two) and tie them into the same bet.
Is the NBA easy to bet on?
Like other major markets, NBA is quite difficult to bet on and have successful outcomes. Other (smaller) leagues, like the MLB, can be easier for beginners.
What is the best betting market in basketball?
The player prop market is the best for betting on NBA basketball. The NBA is the most predictive of any of the four major North American sports, in part because of the high number of possessions.
Oddsmakers are very good at setting appropriate lines for full game outcomes. However, predicting the specifics within any given game is much harder. The odds of beating a player prop line for the average bettor are higher than that of a spread or a total if you give appropriate attention to things like matchups and style of play.
Rory Breasail
Rory has been writing about basketball for the last decade plus for outlets including Covers.com, The TwinSpires Edge, and NBA Math. His focus over the three last three years has been as a professional handicapper and sports betting analyst covering the NBA, WNBA, and international basketball competitions.
