Canadian Sports Betting

Betting Sites in Canada

The majority of you reading this guide will be recreational sports bettors and your needs in terms of a sportsbook will be dependent on the sport(s) you favour and your intended level of participation in sports betting. However, before you make a final choice and place your first bet, there are a few relevant factors you may wish to consider. Below are some we think should be at the top of your list:

Mobile Gambling

The ability to enjoy sports betting on the move is particularly important to many people these days and they find it incredibly frustrating when a website does not operate correctly via their mobile device! The majority of sportsbooks available to Canadians have taken this firmly on board. Almost without exception, the sportsbooks you encounter will allow you full access, using Android or iOS mobile devices, as well as PC and Mac availability as standard.

Bonuses And Incentives

There is a great deal of competitiveness between sportsbooks and the vast choice of offers out there can be overwhelming. Initially, there are different types of bonuses and incentives, all designed to attract and retain customers. Every Canadian sportsbook advertises an enticing welcome bonus, usually on a ‘match your bet’ basis, which can range in value from C$100 to C$1000, some will add more to that if you deposit using a popular cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Additional incentives may include no deposit bonuses, loyalty schemes, referral rewards and free wagers for VIP clientele.

Great Payouts

In reality, there is very little to choose between any of the Canadian sportsbooks in terms of payout amounts for standard bets, especially for the most popular sports and the most-publicised sporting events. However, there are sometimes opportunities for getting much better odds or spreads (and bigger payouts) if you delve into a more niche sporting market. If you want to stick to the mainstream, go for the sportsbook with the most diverse range of betting opportunities.

Customer Support

It is always good to know that if you have a question, or in the unlikely event of a problem with your account, your sportsbook is available to assist you promptly and professionally. When exploring your choices, always make a point of checking its ‘Contact Us’ section to find out what options you have for getting in touch about customer service issues. You may need an e-mail address for matters you wish to raise in writing and at a minimum, a toll-free phone number and preferably a ‘Live Chat’ facility should be available at all times.

Canadian Licensing

Although Canada may be soft on personal taxation matters, it is quite a different story where gambling rules and regulations are concerned. The Canadian government is well known for its stringent standards, applying them to almost every activity; sports betting is certainly no exception to that philosophy.

There is no single regulatory body covering Canada. Instead, licensing and regulation of sportsbooks is the responsibility of separate commissions, one for each of the ten Canadian states, plus a further three which have jurisdiction over the territories. The most prevalent is the Kahnawake Gambling Commission, which is responsible for around 25% of all Canadian-based sportsbooks.

With so many online scams these days, security is just as important as licensing. While there is no legal reason you cannot patronise offshore sportsbooks, remember that you have no protection under Canadian regulations and it is best to avoid any authorities which are known to be particularly lax. As a rule of thumb, stick to those sportsbooks you know are operated under the more ‘strict’ jurisdictions. The list below are considered the ‘Top 4’ in the world:

• The UK Gambling Commission
• The Isle of Man Control Commission
• The Alderney Control Commission
• The Gibraltar Gambling Commission