The Most Popular Sports in Canada for Betting

The gaming scene in Canada has become more exciting, with notable growth in admiration. Investors and players are coming into the industry to boost revenue and participation. 

As a result, a lot of opportunities that come with bonuses are available for new and experienced players. Thus, gamblers should be well-informed about the best options on offer to allow them to choose right. This article provides a detailed explanation of the legal laws in the industry. Read on to learn how to legally stake and identify the most popular sports for betting in Canada.

Legal Sports Betting & Gambling Laws in Canada

Sports betting has existed in Canada for years, even though illegal, due to the legal grey areas. Yet on August 27th, 2021, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-218 which legalised sports betting in the country. This bill was an amendment to the Canadian criminal code. It means players didn’t have to wager only on parlays through government sources.

With this amendment, provinces in Canada could make their own rules and regulations. As a result, most provinces offer single-game staking options, with the rules varying based on jurisdiction. For example, after legalizing sports betting, provinces like Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta offered players their single-game staking option through their sportsbooks. The provinces regulate the platform through their lottery and gaming commissions. Players in these provinces could place wagers online through the province-regulated platforms. They might also place their wagers in person.

With the gaming industry evolving, more provinces are looking to exploit this wave. For example, Ontario set up iGaming Ontario to oversee their province. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission will provide regulations for private sportsbooks. Furthermore, the legal gambling age for bettors varies depending on the province’s regulations. However, the generally accepted legal betting age is 18 or 19.

How to Legally Bet On Sports In Canada

With sports betting now legal in Canada, players must know how to legally stake in any sport. Hence, the best avenue for placing a bet on sports legally is Canadian sports betting sites, which have been carefully checked by professionals to guarantee they follow rules and care about players’ well-being. With these betting sites, gamblers will enjoy diverse sports betting options, competitive odds, and regulated payout schedules.

Depending on the province, everyone wagers on a certain gambling platform. For instance, Play Alberta for Alberta province and PlayNow for British Columbia province. Ontario residents may gamble legally through the private sportsbooks in their province. They also use the province-run sportsbook Proline. 

Moreover, players can wager through online sports betting platforms that are licensed outside of Canada. These platforms are known as grey-market sportsbooks, and provide sports betting options. Yet, most of them are not regulated by the Canadian administration and do not contribute to the economy.

Top 5 Most Popular Sports in Canada for Betting

With the various sports available in Canada, choosing the most popular betting games may be a complex task. Yet, based on statistics, there are the most popular sports for betting in Canada.

Ice Hockey

This is the undisputed most popular sport in Canada for betting. Research shows that 59% of Canadians picked it as the sport with the most interest. Millions of ice hockey fans are in the country, and you can use your love and game knowledge to wager on ice hockey games.

The National Hockey League (NHL), is the primary focus market for hockey staking due to national attraction and game options. Some of Canada’s historic teams like the Montreal Canadiens (1917), Toronto Maple Leafs (1917), Vancouver Canucks (1970), Edmonton Oilers (1979) and Calgary Flames (1980) play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

These teams have a storied history in the NHL and a large following of fans with a national passion for the sport. Players have access to various game options on ice hockey to wager on and maximise their winnings.

Football (Soccer)

Football is a trendy game in Canada for individuals to watch and stake in. It is behind only the National Hockey League (NHL) and in line with the Canadian Football League CFL.

In 2022, Canada qualified for the 2022 World Cup for only the second time in history. It ended a 36-year drought, and the sport’s popularity has grown in leaps and bounds. Canadian soccer stars like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David have increased the popularity of the game.

The country is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mexico and the United States. Different Canadian betting platforms now have a lot of sports betting options available for players including the live betting option.

Canadian Football (CFL)

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is Canada’s highest football competition level.

It has a different global popularity than the National Football League NFL and premier league. Yet, it provides players with a unique gaming experience.

With tournaments like the Grey Cup, Canadian sports staking lovers have diverse wager options. The tournament features teams like the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Elks, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Due to these teams’ large following, online sports betting platforms provide game options.

Basketball

Another trendy game in Canada is basketball. The game’s popularity grew in 2019 when the Toronto Raptors won the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship. As the country’s only basketball team in the NBA, their victory against the Golden State Warriors raised its popularity in the country.

Currently, it ranks 43% among sports lovers which is above the National Football League (NFL). With Canadian players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins, and Jamal Murray thriving in the NBA, the game has many fans in the country. 

Baseball

Baseball has long been played in Canada for decades, it may not be as popular as some other sports. Yet, it sits pretty among the most popular sports in the country. It ranks at 39% thanks in large to the Toronto Blue Jays. The team participates in Major League Baseball MLB. The long nature of each season (162 games) allows sports betting lovers to use the diff options to their benefit.

Other Popular Sports for Betting

Tennis

While not as popular as other sports for betting, tennis is also quite popular in the country. Players like Bianca Vanessa Andreescu are drawing many followers to the game. With international tournaments like Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the U.S. Open, players have many betting opportunities to maximise.

Golf

In the Canadian gaming industry, golf is one of the popular sports for betting. It provides thrilling entertainment and many winning opportunities for players. From individual player staking options to different competitions, players can enjoy the game and make money.

Esports

It gained extensive global recognition over the years, with Canada inclusive. With its growing popularity, it is one of the most popular sports for betting in Canada. With several leagues and tournaments available, Canadian sports betting sites have betting options. These different options allow players to explore the betting world of Esports.

Conclusion

With the active rise of online sports betting platforms in Canada, new and existing players can use this opportunity to make money. Popular types of sports for betting in Canada include ice hockey, football (soccer), Canadian football (CFL), basketball, and baseball. Each sport offers unique betting opportunities supported by various regulated platforms like Play Alberta and PlayNow. Staying informed and choosing the right platforms improves the betting experience in Canada’s dynamic sports landscape. A good understanding of the industry laws and the most popular sports to bet on will help players maximise their opportunities.