Betting on sports is hugely popular around the world. There are some sports that attract more betting attention than others, depending on the country. In the UK and most of Europe soccer is the top betting sport, in India cricket holds that spot, while in the USA football leads by a lot. In Canada, hockey is obviously a big betting sport alongside football, soccer, and basketball.
The Four Nations final was an exciting end to an intense competition further fueled by current political tensions. Canada’s win in sudden death overtime was a massive moment for fans — a big hit with the sports bettors who had pinned their money on something wild happening in the final moments of the match.
Betting online has become the top way to place bets. It’s more convenient, offers more variety, and gives bettors access to more markets. There are lots of Ontario bookies who provide their services to bettors in the province.
It’s impossible to say if there is one top bookmaker. That’s because each sportsbook has its own positives and negatives. Some specialize in certain markets, others always have competitive odds but don’t offer many bet types, others have lots of special features and bonuses that make up for having less competitive odds.
This post will help Canadian bettors navigate this crowded market. These are our top tips for finding the best sports betting odds in Canada.
Do your research
There are many legal sportsbooks in Canada, with each province having their own regulations. Some sportsbooks have been trusted brands for decades and have very recognizable names. Others are brand new businesses set up in recent years to cater to the new online betting market. This can lead to some confusion.
Reading about sports betting sites can give you a good idea of which bookmakers are the best for specific sports or types of bets. There are dedicated sports betting guides that provide lots of information. Sports information sites, like ESPN and Sports Illustrated are also good sources of information of sportsbooks, odds, and betting markets.
Pick a licensed bookmaker
An essential step in finding the best odds and having the best betting experience is to only bet with fully licensed and regulated bookmakers. There have always been underground bookmakers that seem like a better deal because they offer great odds and are more flexible with the rules.
In reality, there are no protections for bettors who use these sportsbooks. That opens up the player to huge risks and the potential for fraud. Using a licensed bookmaker puts players in a better position. It shows that the bookmaker has gone through the steps to prove they are trustworthy and secure. It also means that if there are any problems that the bettor is protected.
In Canada, each province has its own regulatory agency. In Ontario, the licensing body is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Consider your loyalties
Sports fans have a reputation for being incredibly loyal to their teams. Sometimes they make buying decisions based on team sponsorships or on the recommendation of players. The same can be true for sportsbooks.
Most major teams or leagues in Canada have at least one sports betting partner. Bettors who are unsure about where to create an account can turn to the sportsbook that sponsors their favorite team. Since sports franchises are such major businesses, they have a lot of incentive to maintain a positive relationship with their fans. This means that they have done plenty of vetting of the companies that they have sponsorship deals with. Bettors can trust that team-affiliated sportsbooks will be legitimate and reliable.
Create more than one account
Some bettors feel like they can only have one sports betting account. There’s no reason to have any particular loyalty to one sportsbook. There can be some benefits to being loyal in the form of extra bets or bet protection but these are limited.
The smartest step is to create accounts with several sportsbooks. That way you can always bet on the site that has the best odds for the bet you want to place instead of having to settle for whatever odds a single sportsbook is offering.
Just keep in mind that every sportsbook has its own terms and conditions that need to be met. If you struggle to keep track of multiple accounts, simply start with one or two sportsbooks and then grow from there.
