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In 2018, the United States Supreme Court repealed PASPA, opening sports betting for any state in the US that wanted to regulate it.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.

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

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)

Canadian Sports Betting Markets

The number of sports that you can bet on in Canada are near endless regardless of if they are a massive market like the NFL or something small like snowboarding or handball. You’ll be able to find plenty of odds on them all that extend far beyond just the normal gamelines. They’ll offer game props, player props, futures odds, and much more. Some of the sports you’ll be able to bet on include:

• NFL
• NBA
• MLB
• NHL
• Soccer
• UFC
• Boxing
• Darts
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Futsal
• Rugby
• Table Tennis
• Handball

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.

Betting On The Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have been one of the more successful teams when betting on the NBA in recent years. They brought an NBA Championship to the country, the first in history, in the 2018-2019 season after going in with +1800 preseason odds. Also over the last five seasons, many have enjoyed a profit of $193.43 when betting $100 on the Raptors to make the playoffs in those seasons. When it comes to their play against the spread in that period of time, it has been profitable as well.

Raptors Past ATS Records

• 2023: 41-40-2
• 2022: 48-39-1
• 2021: 31-40-1
• 2020: 46-36-1
• 2019: 51-53-2
• 2018: 48-43-1

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. That comes when betting on them to make the playoffs each year as they have made it in each of their last six seasons. If you were to have started with $100 and bet on them to make the playoffs six seasons ago and rolled that profit over to the next year, you’d be up $677.89. At their -1000 opening odds to make the playoffs in 2023, you could see that profit rise to $745.68 once they clinch the postseason.

Betting On The Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have only made the playoffs a few times in the last decade. But there is still a profit when betting on Toronto Blue Jays. With hundreds of wagers at legal MLB sportsbooks, look into the futures bets. Taking under on the Blue Jays win total projection has been a smart bet, earning four units since 2017.

Blue Jays Past Win Totals

• 2024: 78.5 (Under)
• 2023: 91.5 (Under)
• 2022: 92.5 (Under)
• 2021: 86.5 (Over)
• 2020: 27.5 (Over)
• 2019: 74.5 (Under)
• 2018: 81.5 (Under)
• 2017: 85.5 (Under)

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