The Best Online Bookmakers for Canadian Sports Bettors

If you are serious about giving yourself the best chance at making money betting on sports, then finding the best online bookmakers should be a key part of your strategy. So, how do you find the best bookmaker? Well, that’s where we come in. We thoroughly examine online bookies from a variety of angles to see if they meet our high standards. We’ll let you know if they do or if they don’t. We’ll tell you everything you need to know so that you find the bookmaker that’s best for you.

What Defines a Truly Great Online Bookmaker?

What is the definition of the perfect online sportsbook? That’s probably the most common question that prospective sports bettors ask. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question. A lot depends on your own personal preferences.

Are you a recreational sports bettor who is comfortable starting with a $100 bankroll and making $5 wagers? Or are you an intrepid high roller who thinks nothing of risking several thousands of dollars on a game? Do you value a big welcome bonus over consistently getting the best odds? Are you content betting on a few of the most popular sports or do you like betting on some of the lesser-known sports? It’s all about what you want.

If you were to describe the perfect sportsbook, you might want to start with it being licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling authority such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. This is because licensing authorities such as these hold online bookmakers to the highest industry standards. Your ideal sportsbook will also offer a great welcome bonus, reload bonuses, plenty of regular promotions, and an excellent rewards program.

It should go without saying that this bookie would offer the best odds and widest variety of pre-game and in-play betting options on the most sports and other niches like horse racing, eSports, entertainment, and politics. Don’t forget about all those special features like up-to-date stats, handicapping tools, expert advice, and live streaming.

This sportsbook would also support plenty of payment options and would process your withdrawals as quickly as possible. Of course, the bookmaker would absolutely have to accept Canadians and support the Loonie as a betting currency. If you are a big bettor, the bookie has to have high limits on deposits, withdrawals, and wager amounts. You’d also expect unparalleled 24/7/365 customer support.

Finding such a sportsbook would be awesome, but it doesn’t exist. However, many of the world’s top online bookmakers come close. The key is finding the one that offers you the best combination of the above mentioned attributes.

Bookmakers that Offer the Most to Canadians

Canadian sports bettors are accepted at countless online betting sites. Some of them aren’t that good and some of them are half-decent. Here are a few of the really good ones.

Betway

Betway might not be the most famous brand in online sports betting, but it has established itself as a trustworthy and diverse bookmaker. Established in 2006, Betway was created by sports bettors for sports bettors. New members can claim a generous welcome bonus and then beef up their bankrolls through a nice selection of promotions. Soccer fans will be impressed by how many leagues and betting options Betway offers odds on.

Bodog

If a company’s longevity is important to you, then you’ll want to check out Bodog. This bookmaker launched in 1994 making it one of the oldest online bookmakers around. Of course, that’s not the only reason why you’d want to bet at Bodog. You’ll also want to consider that new members get a 100% match bonus up to $200 when they make their first deposit. The bonus is even bigger if you make that first deposit using Bitcoin.

LeoVegas

Having launched in 2012, LeoVegas is among the youngest bookmakers on this list. Nevertheless, the site has earned a huge amount of respect within the industry as proven by its many awards. Not only does LeoVegas offer competitive odds on popular sports like football, cricket, and hockey, but it also offers odds on niche markets like chess, table tennis, darts, and snooker. In addition to a welcome bonus that can net you up to $300, LeoVegas is always coming up with fresh and exciting sports promotions.

Bet365

Since its launch in 2005, Bet365 has become one of the most well-known brand names in the industry. This bookie covers a huge range of sports, and the number of betting options you’ll find there will make your head spin. While the welcome bonus might not be the most generous, Bet365 more than makes up for it by offering excellent odds and a plethora of promotions. Those who enjoy in-play betting will definitely appreciate the live streaming feature.

Sports Interaction

Sports Interaction is one of just a few Canadian-based online bookmakers. The site launched in 1997 and it is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. You’re a winner right out of the gate with Sports Interaction’s 100% match welcome bonus up to $100. You’ll love the competitive odds and selection of sports as well as the prompt payouts. As an official gaming partner of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Ottawa Redblacks, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, CFL bettors can rest assured that they will have the most Canadian football betting options at their disposal.

Pinnacle

Remember when we discussed the perfect sportsbook in the introduction? Well, Pinnacle is about as close as it gets. Perhaps the only thing that prevents Pinnacle from being perfect is the lack of a welcome bonus. However, this bookie operates with the lowest betting margins which means you’ll usually get the best odds for both underdogs and favorites.

Pinnacle also has some of the highest betting limits and they openly invite arbitrage bettors. You can place your pre-match wagers and then add a few in-play bets as you watch the game using Pinnacle’s live streaming feature.

HPIbet

Do you like betting on the ponies? If so, HPIbet is the place to be. The good times start as soon as you sign up. New members receive a $2.00 no-deposit bonus and they can take advantage of a variety of attractive promotional offers. HPIbet operates under the supervision of Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission as well as the Canadian Pari-mutuel agency so you know they are 100% legit. The site live streams races from over 450 tracks from around the globe and they have volumes of helpful statistics, expert advice, and other handicapping tools to help you make informed picks.

Payment Options at Online Bookmakers

A lot goes into creating and operating a sports betting site. For example, talented computer geeks develop betting platforms and website layouts while oddsmakers provide the betting lines. Of course, operators must have deep pockets and they must meet the strict standards that reputable licensing authorities demand. They must also figure out a way to receive and disburse your funds. That’s where the payment processors come into play. The best online bookmakers support a variety of fast and secure payment options.

Trustly

Trustly is a Swedish-based payment provider that has been offering its services since 2008. Many Canadian sports bettors might not be too familiar with Trustly. That’s likely because it just recently expanded into the Canadian market.

Trustly facilitates online payments to over 6,000 merchants through its customers’ bank accounts. Trustly’s operations are overseen by the Swedish Financial Supervisory and it’s licensed through European Payment Services. It is one of the most secure payment methods and it’s accepted at many online bookmakers.

Visa & Mastercard

There aren’t too many payment options as convenient as Visa and Mastercard. These credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere including the vast majority of online bookies. These companies also offer gift cards that can be purchased using cash at retail outlets like gas stations and drug stores. These gift cards are ideal alternatives for those who do not have a Visa or Mastercard of their own.

As convenient as Visa and Mastercard credit cards are, it’s worth mentioning that some of them do not facilitate withdrawals. Furthermore, those who use them to make deposits at online casinos can be hit with some added fees such as cash advance fees. Some people find it worth the cost if it means paying online using a highly secure method.

Bitcoin

While not all online bookmakers have embraced Bitcoin payments, a growing number of forward-thinking operators actually encourage you to use it. Because transactions using this popular cryptocurrency are peer-to-peer, there is no middleman collecting fees. Thus, Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals are the cheapest and fastest to make. They’re free in many cases. Several Bitcoin-friendly sportsbooks go so far as to offer larger than average bonuses when you deposit using bitcoin. Bitcoin is particularly popular among Canadians who value anonymity.

Paysafecard

Some people don’t have a credit card or even a bank account. All they have is cash on hand. They might think that this would prevent them from making online deposits, but they would be wrong. They can purchase a Paysafecard and use it to load funds into their betting account.

The Paysafecard is a type of voucher that you can buy at retail outlets or online. Once purchased, you are given a receipt with a 16-digit PIN code on it. You then choose Paysafecard as your preferred payment option at your online sportsbook and enter the PIN code. This method is safe, secure, and it doesn’t require you to divulge any personal or financial information.

Popular Sports for Canadians to Wager On

Online bookmakers offer a wide range of odds on dozens of sports as well as other niche areas such as horse racing, eSports, politics, and entertainment. Despite having such a diverse array of options, some are more popular than others. Here are some of the most popular things to wager on.

Football (Soccer)

Soccer is easily the most popular sport on the planet. Bookmakers offer odds on moneylines, spreads, totals, and a variety of other props ranging from winning margins and exact scores to the number of corner kicks and yellow cards.

Basketball

While the NBA is the most well-known basketball league around, several other professional and collegiate leagues attract huge betting volumes. While moneylines, totals and spread are the most common types of basketball bets, bookmakers also offer odds on such props as rebounds, fouls, and individual player production.

Tennis

People from all over the world enjoy watching tennis and online bookmakers generate immense handles when premier events occur. Some people like backing individual players or teams to win a tournament outright while others prefer betting on individual matches.

Hockey

Perhaps the most popular sport in the Great White North, hockey dominates the Canadian betting scene throughout the fall, winter, and spring months. Betting on 3-way regulation ties and the puckline, which is essentially a spread bet, can result in payouts that are significantly higher than moneylines.

eSports

Bookmakers have only started offering odds on eSports over the past decade. ESsports now account for a large portion of any bookie’s handle as a new breed of bettor proliferates. Betting options for traditional sports and eSports are very similar.

Golf

Golf’s rise in popularity over the past couple of decades has been impressive. Major tournaments keep online bookmakers hopping as money pours in on potential tournament winners. Canadians can also wager on head-to-head matchups along with many other props including such things as long drives, birdies, and total putts attempted.

American Football

Sportsbooks and bettors alike are in their glory when the NFL season rolls around. However, the NCAA and CFL also attract loads of wagers. In addition to spread bets, moneylines, and totals, Canadian sports bettors like wagering on a variety of team, player, and game props. Football season also attracts a great deal of teaser bets.

What are the Most Common Bet Types?

If there is a possibility that a certain event will happen during the course of a game, there’s a good chance that a bookie will offer odds on it. Here are a few of the most common bet types.

Straight Bets

A straight bet is basically a wager such as a spread bet or moneyline bet on a single event.

Total Bets

Bettors wager on the combined score of a match being over or under the posted total. You can also bet on individual team totals and assorted prop totals.

Moneyline Bets

This is the easiest bet to understand as it simply involves picking the winner of a given match.

Parlay Bets

Parlay bets are multiple single bets placed on one bet slip. All selections must win in order for the parlay to win. Just a single incorrect prediction blows the whole thing up.

Head-to-Head Bets

In sports like golf and auto racing that feature a field of competitors, you can bet on a specific competitor to do better than another competitor.

Teaser Bets

Teaser bets are the same as parlays except that bettors can adjust the spreads and totals to increase their chances of winning.

Conclusion

Canada is a wonderful place to live. This is especially true if you like betting on sports. Aside from the relatively new provincially run online bookmakers, Canadians and the Canadian dollar are welcome at a multitude of offshore sites. Because Canadians have so many sportsbooks to choose from, they have access to countless bonuses and promotions that can help them boost the bottom lines. Let us help you find the bookmaker that best suits your unique preferences. This will ensure you get the most out of your sports betting experience.