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.
Last Update
9 months ago
Last Update: - 9 months ago
NorthStar Bets Review – Is NorthStar Bets Legal in Ontario?
website | northstarbets.ca |
Licenses | |
Provinces | ON |
Customer Support | |
App | |
Min. Deposit | $10 |
Payment Methods | +1 |
Min. Withdrawal | $10 |
By launching its operations on May 10, 2022, NorthStar Bets has become one of Ontario’s legal online gambling sites.
Its parent company, NorthStar Gaming, is a Canadian-owned and operated online gaming and betting brand, known to be a reliable gaming site.
In theory, that means the operator has a unique understanding of the Canadian gambling market, as well as Canadians’ betting preferences.
Our NorthStar Bets review is here to determine whether the same applies in practice. We’ll take a thorough look at:
- NorthStar’s betting options and tools
- Navigating the platform
- The platform’s safety
- Payment methods offered
- Customer support availability
Let’s dive right in!
NorthStar Bets Overview
Pros
Ontarian Company
Cash Out Feature
Various Payment Methods
Low Minimum Deposit
Cons
Customer Support Not 24/7
No Mobile App
No Live Streaming
Is NorthStar Bets Legal in Ontario, Canada?
Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. The good news is, NorthStar is now officially registered with the AGCO and has an iGO license.
This is great news for Ontarians who are looking for a trustworthy online sports betting site.
Will NorthStar Bets Be Available in Other Canadian Provinces?
It is unlikely that Canadians will see NorthStar Bets operating in other provinces at this time.
As it stands now, Ontario is the only province in Canada with a regulated market for private online betting operators like BetMGM, LeoVegas, PointsBet, and others.
For that reason, NorthStar Bets has only received a license to operate legally in Ontario.
Is NorthStar Safe?
Owned by Made-in-Ontario Northstar Gaming
Monitored by IBIA
Two-Factor Authentication Available
As we already mentioned, NorthStar Bets is owned and operated by the Ontario-made NorthStar Gaming, known to be a reliable gaming provider.
NorthStar Bets itself is overseen by IBIA (International Betting Integrity Association). IBIA monitors its partners for integrity with an anti-corruption tool, ensuring they adhere to the gambling rules and regulations.
What is more, the website allows you to set up two-factor authentication for your improved safety.
All of this makes NorthStar Bets a safe and legit brand to bet on.
How NorthStar Works
NorthStar Bets’ registration process is pretty straightforward:
1.Fill out your personal information, such as name, date of birth, and citizenship.
You’ll also need to disclose your occupation, choosing from some very specific options.
However, you can always choose “other” and add your occupation if it doesn’t appear in the original list.
2.Provide your physical address.
3.Next, you’ll be asked to enter your phone number, email address, and password for your account.
4.After confirming that you can gamble legally, you’ll be asked to verify your identity via a quick check, after which you’ll be ready to place your first bet!
NorthStar Sportsbook
Easy to Navigate
Niche Sports
Authorized Gaming Operator of the NBA
Insights and Statistics
Fewer Than 30 Sports
Once you’ve set up your account, you can start placing bets.
Besides the common bet types like moneyline and totals, NorthStar also offers some more interesting ones. Place future bets (guess the Champions League winner or NBA man of the year), or different proposition bets.
What caught our eye is the first/last goal bet, with a welcome addition: no goal means no bet.
Whichever bet type you opt for, you’ll easily find what you’re looking for, as Northstar makes browsing sports very simple.
On the left hand side, you can find both individual sports and most popular leagues. Some of the most popular sports are also shown right below the main menu.
We must say that with fewer than 30 sports, NorthStar Bets’ sport selection isn’t as wide as some other operators. For example, bet365 and LeoVegas both have 35+.
When it comes to sports NorthStar Bets does have, popular ones include:
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Baseball
- UFC/MMA
But you’ll also find more niche sports such as:
- Lacrosse
- Motorsports
- Snooker
- Surfing
- Chess
And even eSports. Among the popular leagues you can bet on are NBA, MLS, ATP, CFL.
One thing NorthStar holds over the competition is its focus on local teams. You’ll easily find the betting options for your favourite Ontarian teams and international championships.
NorthStar Bets’ main goal is to provide an online betting service for Ontarians that is uniquely local.
Northstar Bets x NBA
Northstar Bets recently became Authorized Gaming Operator of the National Basketball Association in Ontario.
This means that bettors can expect to see a plethora of useful insights, including real-time NBA data.
All of this helps improve the bettors’ overall experience, especially in lieu of the exciting NBA Playoffs!
Below, you can also check out Northstar Bets’ NBA odds.
Odds at NorthStar Bets
To bring you the most in-depth review possible, we checked how NorthStar’s odds compare to those of its biggest competitors.
NBA Odds
Sportsbook | Chicago Bulls | Philadelphia 76ers |
Northstar Bets | 3.45 | 1.33 |
Betano | 3.55 | 1.32 |
Bet99 | 3.40 | 1.33 |
Northstar Bets has the highest odds for the favourite, along with Bet99, and competitive odds for the underdog.
Soccer Odds
Sportsbook | Eintracht Frankfurt | Draw | Bayern München |
---|---|---|---|
Northstar Bets | 5.80 | 5.10 | 1.44 |
888Sport | 6.00 | 4.8 | 1.40 |
PointsBet | 5.75 | 5.10 | 1.44 |
Along with PointsBet, NorthStar Bets has the highest odds for the favourite, but it falls short when it comes to the underdog.
And what about MLB?
MLB Odds
Sportsbook | New York Mets | Atlanta Braves |
---|---|---|
Northstar Bets | 2.35 | 1.64 |
888Sport | 2.30 | 1.65 |
PointsBet | 2.35 | 1.64 |
Northstar Bets and PointsBet take the cake for odds for the underdog.
And of course, we couldn’t help but compare some NBA odds as well.
NorthStar Bets’ odds are overall competitive, though it depends on the sport.
When it comes to the odds for the underdog, it’s a mixed bag. In the case of soccer, 888Sport has significantly higher odds. However, for baseball, the same operator offers lower odds than NorthStar Bets.
As for the “draw” option, NorthStar has the same odds as LeoVegas, both of which have higher odds than 888Sport.
All in all, NorthStar’s odds for the favourite aren’t too different from those of its main competitors, but odds for the underdog somewhat differ.
Depending on the sport, they could be higher or lower, so you may need to do some research in order to place the best bets possible.
Betting Tools
Bet Builder
Sports Insights
Cash Out Option
No Live Streaming
Whichever bet type you go for, NorthStar Bets’ betting tools make it easy and fun. A wide array of useful tools is there to help bettors make the most of the experience:
- Live betting is available
- Opt to cash out on select (single and multiple) bets
- Use the Bet Builder option during selected events
NorthStar also helps you stay up to date via its Sports Insights section.
Inside NorthStar’s insights section, you’ll find betting insights, news, and related content, so you can be as knowledgeable about your bets as possible.
The pre-game statistics can be especially helpful.
However, the lack of live streaming does affect the overall betting experience.
NorthStar Casino Review
Live Dealer Games
Transparent and Secure Gambling Experience
200+ Games Only
Besides the sportsbook, NorthStar also has a casino section to offer to Ontarians. That said, its casino games are not huge in number, as there are only 200+ games to choose from.
Players can opt for table games (including hold’em poker), slots, and jackpots, or live dealer games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.
Among live casino options are also 10 game shows to choose from.
One thing we did like is that Northstar has premium slots such as Age of the Gods — Maze Keeper and Big Bad Wolf Megaways.
Still, those looking for casinos in Ontario that offer 1000+ games can visit Bet99 for its 1600+ choices or PlayOJO, which currently boasts 3000+ casino games.
NorthStar’s Partnership with Playtech and Kambi
Online betting is only as good as the software that keeps it running, so NorthStar partnered with Playtech to launch its gambling product.
This partnership will ensure that NorthStar casino has the technology platform to deliver Ontarians a transparent and secure gaming experience.
Playtech delivers world-class gambling software, services, content and platform technology across all types of online betting and gaming.
Furthermore, to power its online sportsbook, NorthStar Gaming has partnered with Kambi, an independent provider of sports betting technology and services.
Kambi works with over 30 operators worldwide to provide a top-notch betting experience for all their players.
Does NorthStar Bets Have an App?
Excellent Mobile Experience
No Mobile App
While NorthStar currently doesn’t have a mobile app, it offers a decent excellent mobile experience. We tested it, and it’s simple enough to navigate even on a small screen.
The only visible downside is that certain sports aren’t accessible from the main menu due to the screen size. However, you can still access (and list them) just a bit farther below.
Still, many bettors prefer having a downloadable app, especially those who enjoy live betting. If you’re among them, here are our picks for Canada’s best betting apps.
Payment Methods
Some Variety of Payment Methods
Low Minimum Deposit
Low Minimum Withdrawal Limit
No Transaction Fees
NorthStar currently supports deposits and withdrawals via:
- Interac
- iDebit
- credit/debit cards (both Visa and Mastercard)
- instant bank transfers
- eCheck.
Minimum and Maximum Deposits/Withdrawals
The minimum deposit at Northstar Bets is quite low at $10.
As for withdrawals, NorthStar Bets claims you can withdraw as much as you have on your account at that point, with no limits.
Meanwhile, the minimum withdrawal limit is also $10.
How Long Does NorthStar Withdrawal Take?
In general, Northstar Bets processes withdrawals in a matter of hours.
How long it actually takes for funds to reach your bank account depends on the payment method you choose. In general, it shouldn’t be more than five workdays unless you opt for a check, in which case it might take longer.
Why is My Deposit Not Showing?
If your deposit doesn’t go through immediately (which happens, although not often), give it 24 hours.
In case your deposit is still not visible, you’ll need to contact Northstar Bets’ customer service with proof of the deposit, along with the date and time of the payment.
At NorthStar Bets, there are no additional transaction fees.
Customer Support
Help Section and Chat Bot Available
Contact via Phone or Email
No 24/7 Support
Unlike many of its competitors, NorthStar Bets doesn’t offer 24/7 customer support. Their live chat does work 7 days a week, from 8am to 1am.
When we tried to contact them at 3am, we could only browse through their Help section or chat with a bot. When asked what payment methods NorthStar supports, the bot provided us with three articles it thought might help.
Helpful as it is, their bot really can’t replace a live chat and a knowledgeable person behind it, so you may end up having to wait a few hours to get the answers you need.
If your issue isn’t urgent, you can also contact their customer service via email.
Our Verdict
Our Northstar Bets review clearly shows that the brand offers Ontarians the chance to bet on local teams, while choosing between both popular and niche sports.
However, the lack of live streaming may deter some, and we can’t deny that many other sportsbooks have more sports on offer.
That being said, the pre-game statistics somewhat make up for it.
The odds are very similar to those of other major legal betting sites in Ontario, though it largely depends on the sport.
Decent payment methods and a low minimum deposit are definitely a huge plus.
But we had to lower Northstar’s rating mainly because of the lack of a mobile app and a relatively small selection of casino games.
However, we think that Northstar’s offering of a uniquely Ontarian experience will attract plenty of users and allow it to compete with the best online betting operators in Ontario.
Best NorthStar Bets Alternatives
Looking for live streaming or a wider variety of casino games? Here are our top alternatives:
FAQs
Is NorthStar Bets legit?
Yes, Northstar Bets is a legit and trustworthy sportsbook and casino thanks to its official iGO license. Since it’s fully regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, it’s perfectly safe for Ontarians.
Is there a Northstar Bets app?
Unfortunately, Northstar Bets doesn’t have an app. However, it does offer a superb mobile betting experience.
What payment methods can I use for Northstar Bets withdrawals?
Currently, Northstar Bets’ payment methods include Interac, iDebit, credit/debit cards, eCheck, and instant bank transfers.
Who owns North Star Bets?
NorthStar Bets is owned by Northstar Gaming, a reputable Canadian gaming and betting brand.