Is Sports Betting Legal in Canada?

The legalisation of Canada online sports betting has been a popular topic in recent years. 

Whether looking to bet on football or beginning to evaluate the hockey betting markets, it’s important that all bettors understand how to bet on sports in Canada. 

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Canada?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in Ontario and Alberta. 

Single-event sports betting was legalised in 2021, but each province controls its own legislation. 

How To Bet on Sports in Canada

An account is required to begin betting on sports in Canada. Bettors need to provide the required information when registering. This will include their address, name, and age.

The next step is verifying that this information is accurate. Uploading a personal document is usually required. This is to verify the name, age, and location of the bettor.

Once this is complete, it’s time to select a deposit method and input the necessary information. Then bettors need to decide how much to add to their accounts. 

Once money has been added, bettors can browse the sportsbook’s markets and decide what they want to place a wager on. 

Can I Use BetMGM In Canada?

Yes, BetMGM is available in Alberta and Ontario. 

Is Online Gambling Legal In Canada?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Canada.

The precise regulations vary between provinces. Licensed gambling sites, like BetMGM, are available in Alberta and Ontario. 

Popular Bet Types

Spreads

A spread is a way to handicap the favoured team. The favourite will have a negative number on the spread. For example, the Toronto Raptors might be -4.5 against the Boston Celtics. 

A wager on the Raptors would only win if Toronto won by five or more points.

On the other side of the spread, the Celtics would be +4.5. A bet on Celtics +4.5 would win if Boston won the game or lost by four or fewer points. 

In MLB and NHL, the spread is usually referred to as the “run line” and “puck line,” respectively. 

Moneyline

Moneylines are straightforward. It’s a bet on a team or player to win their game/match. The favourite has shorter odds.

For example, the Toronto Blue Jays could be -150 on the moneyline. A $10 wager on the Jays would carry potential winnings of $6.70 for a total payout of $16.70.

A moneyline bet only wins if the team/player wins the game/match. Bettors should always check if the moneyline wager includes overtime. 

Totals

Total bets are a simple over/under wager. The sportsbook sets a line for the game, and the bettor then wagers on whether there will be over or under that number of runs, points, goals, or sets. 

In the NFL, the total between the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks might be 39.5. A bet on the over would only pay out if the teams combined for 40 or more points. 

An under wager would win if the teams combined to score 39 or fewer points.

Total markets can also focus on how many runs/points/goals/sets a team/player scores in a game/match, or they can look at a specific period of the game, such as the first quarter or the first half. 

Parlays

Parlays are when a bettor combines multiple selections into a single wager. All of the picks must land for the bet to win, which can lead to some long odds. 

Along with standard parlays, bettors in Canada can also place single-game parlays. These follow the same format, but all of the selections come from the same game/match.

A parlay example could be the Edmonton Elks to cover the spread, the Calgary Flames to win, and the Toronto Tempo to go over their points total. All three components of this treble would need to land for the bet to be marked as a winner. 

Live Betting

Live betting is the catch-all term for any wager placed after an event has started. Most markets remain available once a game/match has begun, including the moneyline, spread, total, and various props. 

Odds are updated throughout events as the action unfolds. For instance, an early goal could see Toronto FC’s odds shorten significantly, whereas conceding a touchdown would see the BC Lions’ odds lengthen. 

Futures

Future bets are a wager on the outcome of a future event. Some futures markets are available many months, or even years, in advance. 

For instance, odds on the next FIFA World Cup go live a long time before the tournament gets underway. Fans can bet on the next Grey Cup winner or the next Stanley Cup champion soon after the conclusion of the previous season. 

Player Props

Player props are wagers on a specific player. These are wide-ranging, from whether a player will score a touchdown to how many assists a player will record in an NBA game. 

Prop bets are not impacted by the outcome of the game/match. For example, a bet on a quarterback to have 250-plus passing yards can win whether their team wins or loses. 

These markets are available across different sports and are often combined in parlays.