Best Sports Betting Sites Canada
Sports betting has been around for centuries and is one of the oldest forms of gambling. Wagering on the outcomes of sports fixtures and tournaments can be traced back to the first Olympic games and beyond. Interestingly enough, this popular gambling form has only become regulated and official in many regions of the world over the last 15 years. Sports betting is particularly popular in Canada as it combines two Canadian passions, sports and gambling!
We at CasinoTop have listed the best sports betting sites for Canadian players below. Regardless of whether you’re an avid sports fan, seasoned bettor or both, you’re likely to want to ensure that you choose an online sportsbook site that will cater to your every need, provide you with the necessary information and create beneficial odds.
Blacklisted Sports Betting Sites in Canada
While our expert team has been tasked with finding the best online sportsbook for our Canadian players, we have come across certain sportsbook offerings that are subpar and we do not recommend to our readers. These sites have been put through exactly the same testing process as our top-rated sites and have found to be lacking. Below are sports betting sites to avoid.
2.1/5
Incorrect and misleading marketing relating to safety measures
Confusing wagering requirements
Inferior quality of games displayed
2.1/5
Customer complaints remain unresolved
Unprofessional customer service received
Stalled winnings being paid out
2.1/5
Consumer complaints ignored
Misleading claims to proper international licensing
Improper online casino practices in use
Popular Sports to Bet on in Canada
Canada is known around the world for being one of the most diverse regions in the world. As such, this diversity can be seen in everything from food to music and even sports. Beginner sports bettors might be surprised to find that Canada’s best sportsbook sites have included lines and odds for a wide variety of sporting genres and events to cater to the interests of every bettor. If we had to list all of the sports that are watched in Canada, we would be here all day so we’ve condensed this list to bring the most popular sports for online wagering.
Basketball
Basketball is considered to be a favourite American pastime but this is not necessarily true. While Basketball is huge in the US, Canadian bettors could give Americans a run for their money. As such, the National Basketball Association and all its games and tournaments are a popular betting chance for our Canadian players. In addition to this, the NBA hosts a number of in-season and off-season games, ensuring that there is always something to bet on.
Hockey
Hockey is to Canadians what basketball is to Americans, a favourite pastime. The vast majority of Canadian nationals have either grown up playing or watching hockey games. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Canada has produced some of the greatest hockey players in recent history. These professional Hockey players from Canada receive a lot of support from the nation, leading to the National Hockey League being the biggest and most exciting sporting league for Canadian bettors.
Horse Racing
While Horse racing might not offer leagues for bettors to enjoy, it does have something else going for it: longevity. Horse racing is one of the oldest and most accepted forms of sports betting in the world. In history, horse racing was reserved for the wealthy but these days, even average Joe’s have access to the fun it provides. Horse racing is especially popular in Canada, with the country hosting huge horse racing events which have even attracted royalty.
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts, more commonly known as MMA, has become one of the most popular full-contact sports in the world. MMA was once considered to be a niche sport and played second fiddle to long-time favourites like boxing. However, the last five years have brought drastic changes. These days, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is a Canadian favourite that provides year-round entertainment and hundreds of fights to bet on.
Football
Many Canadians are unaware of this but American football was actually invented in Canada. This explains why football is still such a big part of Canadian sports culture and why so many of our Canadian players place bets on the National Football League and even on collegiate teams in the CFL.
Online Sports Betting VS. Offline
Over the last few years, there has been a mass migration of traditional land-based services to online platforms. Improvements in connectivity and technology have made activities, such as online sports betting, more convenient and more easily accessible for many Canadians. While there is much to be said for the traditional methods of sports betting that have entertained people for thousands of years, the shift to online can be seen as the next step in the evolution of this niche genre. Online sportsbooks now provide Canadian bettors with a host of advantages that were previously impossible with retail venues such as:
Options
There are hundreds of great online sportsbook operators that provide services to Canadian residents. While the sheer amount of sportsbook options available can be overwhelming at first, efficient sports bettors have come up with ways to take advantage of this. Long gone are the days of having to be tied to one sports betting account. Online sportsbooks do not prohibit their members from signing up with other operators. This allows you, as the bettor, to take advantage of the revolving promotions and deals when they come up to get more entertainment out of your bankroll.
Earlier Cash Outs
Online sportsbooks offer players a wide range of bets. Some of these wagers are not placed on the outcomes of the tournaments, matches or events but rather on something specific happening. For example, you could place a bet on when a touchdown will be scored in a football game. Since you are betting on a specific occurrence that will take place within a specific time, there is no need to wait until the end of the game to cash out your winnings. Some sportsbook operators will Canadian bettors to put in requests for cash-outs before the end of the game, depending on the type of wager you placed.
Bonuses and Promotions
As has become the norm with the majority of online operators, welcome bonuses and promotions are an integral part of the online gaming experience. This applies to sportsbook offerings too, where new sign-ups could be eligible for free cash or bonus credits. This means that new players can make use of the promotional or free credits to place a few bets and understand the processes in place. In other instances, seasoned players will use the free cash to place strategic wagers that will extend, and even grow, their bankrolls.
What We Look For in a Canadian Sports Betting Site
As previously mentioned, there are hundreds of online sportsbook sites available to our Canadian players. While we can agree, the vast majority of these sites do appear top-tier and offer attractive welcome bonuses, not everything that glitters is gold. That’s why our expert team, who has been in business since 1998, have combined their expertise to develop a multi-step process to separate the exceptional sites from the mediocre. The sites that receive our endorsement will offer our players a plethora of betting types and markets for major league and collegiate events and tournaments. Here is exactly what we look for in an online sports betting site:
Security and Customer Support
Security and Customer support are two of the most important aspects of an online sportsbook site as these directly affect your experience and peace of mind. As such, our team has taken a thorough look into all of the casinos listed on this page to ensure that you will receive top-notch security, powered by cutting-edge technology, and be privy to stellar customer service on the platforms that suit your needs best.