Legal Sports Betting In Canada

Sports Betting Laws In Canada

Sports betting in Canada was limited to parlay betting through government-run provincial lotteries like Proline (Ontario) or PlayNow (British Columbia), where bettors had to wager on multiple outcomes rather than single-game events. Section 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibited betting on a single sporting event – aimed to prevent match-fixing and maintain control over gambling. However, this changed in 2021 with the passage of Bill C-218, which legalized single-event sports betting.

The idea was years in the making as MP Joe Comartin introduced Bill C-290 in the early 2010s. While the House of Commons unanimously passed it in 2012, the measure died in the Senate in 2015 without a vote. Another failed attempt happened in 2016 with Bill C-221, this time from MP Brian Masse. Seeking to amend the Criminal Code to allow single-game betting. it was defeated in the House of Commons.

In 2018, the United States Supreme Court repealed PASPA, opening sports betting for any state in the US that wanted to regulate it. This pushed the Canadian Government in 2021 to approve Bill C-218 – the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. Introduced by MP Kevin Waugh, it followed the PASPA-method, remove the Criminal Code prohibition on single-event sports betting and allow provinces and territories to regulate it.

• February 2020: Bill C-218 introduced.
• April 2021: Passed in the House of Commons (303–15 vote).
• June 2021: Passed in the Senate.
• June 29, 2021: Received Royal Assent.
• August 27, 2021: Law goes into effect.

Sports Betting By Province

Since gambling is regulated at the provincial level, each province set its own rules. The legalization of single-event sports betting in Canada through Bill C-218 has significantly changed the gambling landscape, with provinces taking control of regulation. Ontario leads with a fully open market, while other provinces mostly offer government-run options like PlayNow or Proline.

• Alberta: Allowed private sportsbooks through The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
• Atlantic Canada: Single-game betting available via Proline (Atlantic Lottery Corporation).
• British Columbia: Expanded PlayNow.com to include single-game betting.
• Manitoba: Sports betting is legal in Manitoba and has been for decades
• Ontario: Launched iGaming Ontario on April 4, 2022 forming a massive market with private sportsbooks (DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, etc.).
• Quebec: Loto-Québec runs single-event betting through Mise-o-jeu+.
• Saskatchewan: Introduced regulated sports betting in 2022 via the PlayNow platform.

Legal Sports Betting In Ontario

Ontario is home to a thriving online sports betting market, offering over a dozen casino and betting apps to choose from. Each offer unique features, odds, and promotions, as the legalization of private online sportsbooks in Ontario created a competitive market.

List of Legal Sportsbooks in Ontario

• 888 Sport
• Bally Bet
• Bet365
• Bet99
• Betano
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• BetRivers
• Betsafe
• BetVictor
• Betway
• Bwin
• Caesars
• Casumo
• ComeOn!
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel
• Fitzdares
• LeoVegas
• Lucky Casino
• Neo.bet
• NorthStar Bets
• Partysports
• Pinnacle
• Play Fallsview
• PointsBet
• PokerStars Sports
• Power Play
• Rivalry
• Sports Interaction
• STX
• TheScore Bet
• Titan Play
• TonyBet

Fitzdares Exits Ontario iGaming Market

UK-based sportsbook Fitzdares shut down its Ontario operations due to intense market competition. The operator stopped accepting deposits on March 11, ceased betting on March 25, and officially closed on March 31, 2025. Fitzdares cited high costs as a key reason for exiting but remains open to future opportunities.

How Can I Bet Real Money At A Canadian Sportsbook?

In Ontario, sportsbooks do not accept cryptocurrency deposits due to regulations set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which require deposits to come from authorized financial service providers. Credit Cards also are restricted or come with massive fees as transactions are often processed as cash advances. Given the potential drawbacks, try one of these sports betting deposit methods instead. Keep in mind, each sportsbook may have specific deposit limits and processing times, so it’s recommended to check the payment policies of your chosen operator.

• E-Wallets: Options like PayPal and Skrill are popular for their security and quick processing times.
• Interac: A widely used method in Canada, Interac allows for direct transfers from your bank account to the sportsbook.
• Bank Transfers: Direct deposits from your bank account are available but may take longer to process.
• Prepaid Cards: Methods such as Paysafecard offer security by not linking to your bank account and don’t come with fees.

Using Cryptocurrency To Bet On Sports In Canada

It makes sense that some online betting sites in Canada use crypto for money transfers. It’s fast, it’s cheap, and it goes past any credit card sportsbook restrictions. The only way to withdraw crypto is by depositing with it. But, with the number of cryptos that sportsbooks accept, that shouldn’t be a challenge.

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Solana (SOL)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Shiba Inu (SHIB)
• Dogecoin (DOGE)
• USD Coin (USDC)

Canada’s Sports Betting Revenue

There is no financial data on Canada’s sports betting revenue; however, in Alberta, it is estimated that approximately 4% of the yearly budget is derived from general gambling revenue. An estimated $10 billion USD is wagered on sports in Canada per fiscal year. Helping feed into that sports betting revenue is a 30% tax rate on all gambling revenue.

Can I Bet With A US Sportsbook From Canada?

No, as United States law dictates, U.S.-based sportsbooks can only operate in the state they are regulated in. This is a result of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961, which prevents the transfer of sports betting funds across state or country lines.

Can I Use Bovada In Canada?

Yes, you can use Bovada in Canada, but it’s not the primary site for Canadian players. Instead, Bodog is Bovada’s sister site, offering the same sportsbook, casino, and poker experience specifically tailored for Canadians. While Bovada mainly caters to U.S. players, Canadians can still access it, though Bodog Canada is the better alternative with optimized payment options and local support.

Canadian Sports Betting Markets

Canada offers an exciting range of sports betting markets, with a strong emphasis on the country’s most popular leagues and events. Whether you’re betting on hockey—Canada’s national obsession—or major international competitions, there will be options beyond just standard game lines. Some of the top sports for Canadian bettors include:

• NHL – The heart of Canadian sports betting, featuring teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers.
• CFL – Canada’s own football league, offering unique betting opportunities throughout the season.
• Curling – A Canadian favorite, especially during major tournaments like the Brier and the Scotties.
• Lacrosse – With deep roots in Canada, the NLL and international competitions draw strong betting interest.
• MLB – The Toronto Blue Jays lead the charge for Canadian baseball fans.
• NBA – The Toronto Raptors drive basketball betting in Canada.
• Soccer – MLS teams like Toronto FC, CF Montréal, and Vancouver Whitecaps offer year-round action.
• Swimming – With great success from Team Canada in the Olympics, the women and men see great betting action.
• UFC – Find Fight Nights commonly in Canada, with locals supporting Mike Malott in events like UFC 315.

Toronto Sports Betting Teams

Betting On The Toronto Raptors

While it may be going against the home team, the best bets on the Toronto Raptors since 2020 have been betting their opponent whenever Toronto is an away favorite or home underdog. In these games, they cover the spread in about 43.5% of games, a strong indicator for lack of success over 60+ games. If you cannot bet against the Raptors, consider taking them when they are the home favorite against the spread. Over these 110+ games since 2020, they cover at a rate of around 54% – slightly good enough to beat -110 odds.

Betting On The Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the pride and joy of hockey in Canada and have turned one of the biggest betting profits in the league. When betting on the Maple Leafs to make the playoffs, bettors have come out ahead, as they have done so in almost all of their last 10 seasons. If you were to have started with $100 and bet on the Buds to make the playoffs (and rolled that profit over to the next year), you’d be up over $750!

Betting On The Toronto Blue Jays

Rogers Centre is known as a hitter-friendly ballpark, especially when the roof is open, leading to higher-scoring baseball games in Toronto. This makes Over bets on run totals and home run props attractive options. However, betting trends can shift depending on pitching matchups and weather conditions, so checking starting lineups and game-day factors is crucial.

• Looking for the best sportsbooks to bet on the Blue Jays? Check out MLB sportsbooks and their new member promos!

Betting on Curling in Canada

Curling is a popular sport in Canada, and many sportsbooks offer markets on major events, including the BKT World Men’s Curling Championship 2025. Bettors can place wagers on outright winners, individual matches, and even end-by-end outcomes. Odds are typically presented in the decimal or American format, with favorites having lower odds (e.g., Scotland +120) and underdogs offering higher payouts. To bet, Canadian users can access licensed sportsbooks that operate legally in Canada.

Election Betting In Canada

Election betting in Canada is gaining traction like never before, thanks to a mix of regulated sportsbooks, offshore operators, and emerging prediction markets. Ontario allows major sportsbooks to offer federal election odds. This marks a shift from previous elections, where such betting options were limited. Beyond Ontario, Canadians can access offshore sportsbooks and decentralized platforms like Polymarket, which operates via cryptocurrency. While provincial lottery-run sportsbooks shy away from being a presidential betting site, they readily take action on U.S. elections.

Latest Canadian Sports Betting News

Provinces With Legal Sports Betting

Countries With Legal Sports Betting