Canada's sports betting landscape has transformed dramatically since Bill C-218 legalised single-event wagering in August 2021. For the first time, Canadians can legally place a bet on a single NHL game, an NFL Sunday showdown, or a Champions League semifinal without bundling it into a parlay. Ontario led the way by launching its fully regulated iGaming market in April 2022, and the province now hosts dozens of licensed sportsbooks overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Here at Slapshot Diaries, hockey runs through everything we do. That is why our sportsbook reviews pay special attention to NHL coverage — from puck lines and player props to live in-play betting during a heated third period. We have tested each operator's hockey markets, mobile experience, deposit speeds, and bonus terms so you do not have to.
Below you will find our 6 best sports betting sites for Canadians in 2026, ranked by overall quality, NHL market depth, and real-money testing. Every sportsbook on this list is licensed, regulated, and accepts Canadian dollars.
Best Sports Betting Sites in Canada —
Top 3 Sportsbooks Reviewed
- Industry-leading NHL live betting with fast odds updates
- 35+ sports markets including CFL and MLS
- Same-game parlays with boosted odds on hockey
- Established brand with 25+ years in the industry
- Interac, Visa, and bank transfer deposits
888sport leads our 2026 ranking thanks to its outstanding NHL coverage. The platform offers puck lines, player props, period betting, and some of the fastest live odds we have tested. Their same-game parlay builder makes it simple to combine multiple hockey bets into one slip, and the C$500 free bet welcome offer gives new bettors serious value from the start.
- Award-winning mobile sportsbook app (multiple EGR awards)
- Live streaming of select NHL and international matches
- Full cash out and partial cash out on pre-match and live bets
- 30+ sports markets with competitive hockey odds
- Fast Interac deposits processed in under 60 seconds
LeoVegas Sport is the undisputed king of mobile betting. Their app is fast, clean, and purpose-built for placing bets on the go — perfect for live wagering during an NHL intermission. Live streaming lets you watch select games directly in the app, and the cash-out feature gives you control over your bets right up until the final buzzer. With up to C$500 in free bets, new users get plenty of room to explore.
- Hockey odds specialist with consistently competitive puck lines
- Ontario licensed and regulated by the AGCO
- Smooth live betting interface with real-time stats
- 28+ sports including KHL and international hockey
- C$10 minimum deposit — low barrier to entry
TonyBet Sport has earned a reputation as the hockey bettor's sportsbook. Their puck line odds consistently rank among the most competitive we track, and the platform covers not just the NHL but also the KHL, SHL, and Liiga for serious hockey fans. The live betting interface is responsive and data-rich, showing real-time shot counts and power play stats. A C$350 free bet bonus rounds out a strong package for Canadian bettors.
Sportsbook Comparison Table
| Rank | Sportsbook | Welcome Offer | Sports Markets | Live Betting | Cash Out | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 888sport |
C$500 Free Bet | 35+ | Yes | Yes | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | LeoVegas Sport |
Up to C$500 Free Bet | 30+ | Yes | Yes | 9.2/10 |
| 3 | TonyBet Sport |
C$350 Free Bet | 28+ | Yes | Yes | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Caesars Sportsbook |
Up to C$1,000 | 30+ | Yes | Yes | 8.8/10 |
| 5 | TooNieBet Sport |
C$200 Free Bet | 25+ | Yes | Yes | 8.6/10 |
| 6 | NorthStar Bets |
C$200 Free Bet | 25+ | Yes | Yes | 8.4/10 |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Canada?
Yes, sports betting is fully legal in Canada. The pivotal moment came on June 22, 2021, when the Canadian Parliament passed Bill C-218 (the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act), amending Section 207 of the Criminal Code to permit single-event sports wagering. The law received Royal Assent on August 27, 2021, ending decades of restrictions that had limited Canadians to parlay-only betting through provincial lottery corporations.
Ontario moved fastest among the provinces. On April 4, 2022, the province launched its regulated iGaming market, allowing private operators to obtain licences through iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of the AGCO. Every sportsbook that operates legally in Ontario must meet strict standards covering responsible gambling tools, fair odds, secure payment processing, and player fund segregation.
Other provinces continue to operate sports betting through their provincial lottery corporations — BCLC in British Columbia, Loto-Québec in Quebec, and PlayAlberta in Alberta, among others. However, Ontario remains the only province with a fully open, privately regulated market. All 6 sportsbooks on our list hold valid Ontario licences and comply with AGCO regulations, which means your funds and personal data are protected by law.
How to Bet on Hockey in Canada
As any Slapshot Diaries reader knows, hockey is more than a sport — it is woven into the fabric of Canadian life. And now that single-event betting is legal, you can put your hockey knowledge to work. Whether you have been following the NHL since you were a kid lacing up skates on a backyard rink or you are just starting to follow the game, here is how hockey betting works.
Moneyline Bets
The simplest hockey bet. You pick which team will win the game outright. Odds are displayed in American format: a favourite might be -160 (you wager $160 to win $100), while an underdog could be +140 (a $100 bet returns $140 in profit). Moneylines include overtime and the shootout in the NHL regular season.
Puck Line (Spread) Bets
The puck line is hockey's version of the point spread, almost always set at -1.5 or +1.5 goals. Betting on a favourite at -1.5 means they must win by 2 or more goals for your bet to cash. Taking the underdog at +1.5 means they can lose by a single goal and you still win. Puck line betting offers better payouts on favourites compared to the moneyline.
Over/Under (Totals)
The sportsbook sets a combined goal total for both teams — commonly around 5.5 or 6.0 in the NHL. You bet whether the actual combined score will go over or under that line. If you know two teams play a grinding, defensive style, the under could be a smart play. High-scoring divisional rivalries? Consider the over.
Player Props
Player prop bets let you wager on individual performances: Will Connor McDavid score a goal? Will the starting goalie record over 28.5 saves? Will a specific player register 3+ shots on goal? Props add an extra layer of strategy and are especially popular during the NHL playoffs.
Same-Game Parlays
Combine multiple bets from the same game into a single wager. For example: Maple Leafs moneyline + Auston Matthews to score + over 5.5 goals. All legs must hit for the parlay to pay out, but the combined odds make for potentially large payouts from small stakes.
For a deeper dive into NHL wagering strategies, check out our hockey betting sites in Canada and our NHL betting Canada covering every team and conference.
Sports Markets Available
While hockey sits at the heart of what we do, licensed Canadian sportsbooks cover a massive range of sports. Here are the most popular markets available to Canadian bettors in 2026:
| Sport | League / Event | Bet Types |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey | NHL, KHL, SHL, WJC, Olympics | Moneyline, puck line, totals, props, futures |
| Football | NFL, CFL, NCAA | Spreads, moneyline, totals, player props, same-game parlays |
| Soccer | MLS, EPL, La Liga, Champions League, World Cup | Match result, both teams to score, over/under, Asian handicap |
| Basketball | NBA, NCAA, FIBA | Spreads, moneyline, totals, quarter bets, player props |
| Baseball | MLB, KBO | Moneyline, run line, totals, first 5 innings |
| Tennis | ATP, WTA, Grand Slams | Match winner, set betting, total games, live betting |
| MMA / Boxing | UFC, Bellator, PBC | Moneyline, method of victory, round betting |
| Golf | PGA Tour, Majors, DP World Tour | Outright winner, top 5/10/20, matchups, round leader |
Most operators on our list cover 25 to 35+ sports, including niche markets like darts, snooker, table tennis, esports, and cycling. NHL and NFL remain the two highest-volume markets for Canadian bettors, followed closely by soccer and basketball.
Payment Methods for Sports Betting
Funding your sportsbook account should be fast, safe, and hassle-free. All 6 recommended sportsbooks accept the most popular Canadian payment methods. Deposits are typically instant, while withdrawals take 1 to 3 business days depending on the method.
Interac is the preferred method for most Canadian bettors. Interac e-Transfer deposits land in your sportsbook account within minutes at most operators, and withdrawals back to your bank are processed in 1 to 2 business days. There are no fees from the sportsbook side for Interac transactions.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted universally for deposits, though some Canadian banks may decline transactions to gambling sites. If your card is declined, Interac or iDebit are reliable alternatives. For withdrawals, bank transfer is the most common fallback when card withdrawals are unavailable.
All transactions are processed in Canadian dollars (CAD), so you will never pay currency conversion fees at the sportsbooks we recommend.
Understanding Betting Bonuses
Every sportsbook on our list offers a welcome bonus to new customers. Understanding how these promotions work helps you get the most value from your first deposits.
Free Bets
The most common sportsbook bonus in Canada. You place a qualifying bet, and the operator credits your account with a free bet token. If your free bet wins, you keep the profit only (the stake is not returned). For example, a C$500 free bet that wins at +100 odds would return C$500 in profit. Free bets typically expire within 7 to 30 days.
Deposit Matches
Some operators match your first deposit up to a certain amount. A 100% match up to C$1,000 means depositing C$500 gives you an extra C$500 in bonus funds. Deposit match bonuses come with wagering requirements — usually 5x to 10x the bonus amount on sports bets with minimum odds of -200 or higher.
Wagering Requirements
Before you can withdraw bonus funds or free bet winnings, you must meet the wagering requirement. A 5x wagering requirement on a C$200 bonus means you need to place C$1,000 in qualifying bets before the funds become withdrawable. Always check the minimum odds, time limits, and eligible bet types in the terms and conditions.
Sports Betting Guides
Hockey Betting Guide
Master NHL moneylines, puck lines, over/unders, and player props.
Read Guide →
How to Read Betting Odds
American, decimal, and fractional odds explained for beginners.
Read Guide →
Types of Bets Explained
Singles, parlays, teasers, futures, and live bets demystified.
Read Guide →
Bankroll Management
Set limits, manage your stakes, and bet responsibly long-term.
Read Guide →
What Is Handicap Betting?
Puck lines, point spreads, and Asian handicaps explained.
Read Guide →Explore Sports Betting Canada
More from Slapshot Diaries
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Since August 2021, single-event sports betting has been legal across Canada following the passage of Bill C-218. In Ontario, the market is fully regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) through iGaming Ontario, with licensed operators offering legal online sportsbooks to residents aged 19 and older.
Single-event sports betting became legal across Canada on August 27, 2021, when Bill C-218 received Royal Assent. Ontario launched its regulated iGaming market on April 4, 2022, allowing privately operated and licensed sportsbooks to serve Ontario residents through the iGaming Ontario framework.
Based on our 2026 reviews, 888sport ranks as the top overall sports betting app in Canada with a 9.4/10 score, offering excellent NHL live betting, 35+ sports markets, and same-game parlays. LeoVegas Sport (9.2/10) stands out for its award-winning mobile experience with live streaming, while TonyBet Sport (9.0/10) is the top pick for hockey specialists.
Absolutely. NHL betting is one of the most popular markets at every licensed Canadian sportsbook. You can place moneyline bets, puck line wagers, over/under totals, player props, same-game parlays, and live in-play bets on every NHL regular season and playoff game. All 6 sportsbooks we recommend offer comprehensive NHL coverage.
Hockey odds in Canada are typically displayed in American format. A favourite might be listed at -150 (bet $150 to win $100) while an underdog shows +130 (bet $100 to win $130). The puck line works like a point spread, usually set at -1.5 or +1.5 goals. Over/under lines set a total combined goals figure, and you bet whether the actual total goes over or under that number.
For the vast majority of Canadians, no. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not tax gambling winnings for recreational bettors. Sports betting profits are considered windfall gains, not income. However, if the CRA determines that betting is your primary source of income or a professional activity, those earnings could be subject to income tax.
A parlay (also called an accumulator) combines two or more individual bets into a single wager. All selections must win for the parlay to pay out. The advantage is significantly higher potential payouts compared to single bets. For example, combining three NHL moneyline picks into a parlay multiplies the odds together. The risk is higher since one wrong pick loses the entire bet.
Live betting (also called in-play betting) lets you place wagers on games that are already underway. Odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, and game flow. For NHL games, you can bet on the next goal scorer, period outcomes, updated moneylines, and more. All 6 sportsbooks we recommend offer live betting with fast odds updates.
Licensed Ontario sportsbooks offer betting on a wide range of sports including NHL hockey, NFL and CFL football, NBA basketball, MLB baseball, MLS and international soccer, tennis, golf, MMA/UFC, boxing, cricket, rugby, and more. Most operators cover 30 or more sports, with NHL, NFL, and soccer among the most popular markets for Canadian bettors.
Yes, provided you use a licensed and regulated sportsbook. In Ontario, operators regulated by iGaming Ontario and the AGCO must meet strict standards for player protection, fair play, responsible gambling tools, and secure payment processing. All 6 sportsbooks recommended on this page are properly licensed and use industry-standard SSL encryption to protect your data.
Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget before you bet and never wager more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or visit connexontario.ca. You can also reach the Responsible Gambling Council at responsiblegambling.org. All licensed sportsbooks offer self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and session time reminders. You must be 19+ to gamble in Ontario. Please play responsibly.