What’s the Online Sports Betting Scene Like in Canada?

The sports betting scene in Canada has transformed a lot over the last few years. Thanks to the major legal changes, the rise of digital platforms, and growing fan interest, Canadians now have access to a solid and expanding online sports betting market. From changing regulations to diverse betting options and sports, let’s take a look at what the online sports betting scene is like in Canada today. 

Laws Around Betting in Canada

For many years, Canadians could only place parlay bets, which are wagers that required multiple selections on a single ticket. This restricted simple bets on the outcome of a single game or event, and pushed many bettors toward unregulated grey market sites.

Everything changed in 2021 when the Bill C-218 was passed, legalizing single-event sports wagering. This marked a major turning point, because it now allows bettors to legally wager on individual games. Now, punters have access to legal betting sites in Canada to play now.

But Canada doesn’t have a single federal regulator for betting. Instead, each province and territory is in charge of regulating online sports betting within its borders. Ontario is the most open market that allows players to bet on sports using domestic and international online sportsbooks. 

It’s overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario, so you can check for this tag when choosing an online casino. There are other organizations in other regions, like PlayNow.com in British Columbia, Mise-o-jeu in Quebec, and Pro-line in Atlantic provinces.

One perk for Canadian bettors is that gambling winnings are generally not taxed as income for casual players. Only professional gamblers, who earn their livelihood from betting, would pay income tax.

Growth of Online Sports Betting in Canada

Online sports betting has become very popular in Canada. A lot of Canadians are betting on sports online thanks to greater convenience, more betting markets, and sports betting apps. 

Ontario’s regulated market is especially interesting. Recently, billions of dollars in sports wagers have been placed by residents, showing consistent growth year after year. This is especially because of the convenience of live betting which allows you to place wagers while games are in progress.

Aside from traditional sports, newer markets like esports betting are becoming even more mainstream, especially with younger bettors. There are even video gaming events and unique sporting options. 

Popular Betting Options

Online sportsbooks in Canada now offer many betting options, far beyond the simple moneyline wagers. These options give Canadian bettors a lot of flexibility in how they engage with sports betting. Some of the most common types of bets include:

• Moneyline bets
• Point spread
• Total (over/under)
• Parlays
• Live/in-play betting
• Future bets

Popular Sports for Betting in Canada

Canadians can bet on many types of sports, and it reflects local enthusiasm and global sporting interests. Some of the most popular sports for online betting include:

• Hockey: As you can expect, ice hockey remains king in Canada. With strong national pride and passionate fanbases for NHL teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, hockey generates a massive volume throughout the year.
• Basketball: Basketball, especially the NBA, has grown a lot in Canadian betting volume. Despite having only one Canadian NBA franchise, which is the Toronto Raptors, basketball attracts bettors for the regular season and international competitions.
• Football: Both NFL and CFL see very high betting activity. The Super Bowl and CFL playoff games are especially popular betting events, attracting large audiences and heavy wagering.
• Soccer and More: Many Canadians also like betting on soccer from international leagues, like the English Premier League and UEFA competitions. It draws consistent betting interest, along with other sports like baseball, tennis, and niche markets like esports. 

Conclusion

The online sports betting landscape in Canada is evolving fast. Many provinces that haven’t fully opened their markets might expand what they offer in the future. There would also be regulatory updates which affect how Canadians bet online.