Last Updated Sep 22, 2022, 10:29 AM ET
The federal ban on single-game sports betting in Canada was officially lifted on Aug. 27, 2021 — less than two months after Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, received royal assent. Nova Scotia became the final province to legalize single-event wagering on Feb. 11, 2022. Saskatchewan expects to launch its BCLC-powered PlayNow sportsbook in October 2022.
Ontario launched its new iGaming market on April 4, 2022, marking the first time a provincial government welcomed third-party online operators into the fold. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario have already approved 23 online sportsbooks, and 46 total gaming operators have completed at least one step in the registration process.
Our interactive map shows where each Canadian province and territory stands on its road to legalizing single-game online sports betting. Keep in mind that many licensed offshore websites offer legal alternatives, and this graphic represents provincially regulated options only.
Bookmark this page to stay updated with all of the latest single-game sports betting news in your province or territory.
Yes, Canadians have enjoyed legal sports betting since 1985, but the addition of single-game betting is about to take sports wagering to an unprecedented level in the Great White North. Prior to Aug. 27, 2021, parlay bets — two or more bets rolled into one — and pari-mutuel gambling have been the only types of sports betting permitted in the country. What’s more, these bets are only available through each province’s lottery system. This situation has prompted Canadians to seek more favourable online options and inject an estimated $14 billion annually into offshore gambling websites.
| Canada sports betting at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Single-game betting legalized | Aug. 27, 2021 |
| Regions with legal online sports betting | 9 |
| Regions with in-person sports betting | 13 |
| Best sportsbook in 2022 | bet365 |
| Largest sports betting market | Ontario |
The loss of sports betting revenue has been the primary driving force behind the legalization of single-game wagering in Canada. The successful implementation of legalized sports betting south of the border has also caused many naysayers, including several professional sports leagues, to change their tune.
In 2022, It remains unclear how most Canadian provinces will decide to regulate this new legal form of sports betting. Aside from Ontario and Alberta, no province has shown any indication they will welcome third-party operators to town. BC could eventually expand its sports betting offering to include commercial sportsbooks, but bettors shouldn't expect this to happen any time soon.
Still, at the very least, Canadian bettors are no longer tied to needlessly complicated parlay bets. The onus is now on each province and territory to make regulated sports betting appealing enough to prevent local bettors from flocking to offshore websites.
Canada’s single-game sports betting law came into effect on Aug. 27, 2021. Justice Minister David Lametti announced the initiative on Aug. 12, 2021, in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Interestingly, few Canadians are in the know when it comes to single-game wagering. According to a Fall 2021 survey sponsored by Deloitte Canada, only 19.2% of Canadians are aware they can bet on a single event.
While every province has made single-game betting available via their lottery-run platforms, expect a slower rollout for retail sportsbooks. Several provinces may decide to stick with their existing platforms and forego an extreme overhaul of their sports bet offerings.
Seven provinces — British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec — offered single-game online sports betting right out of the gate. Alberta quickly followed suit while Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon legalized single-event wagering at retail outlets in November 2021. Nova Scotia was the last province to introduce single-game bets to its residents. The Atlantic Lottery Corp. announced it had begun taking single event wagers on Feb. 11, 2022.
Bill C-218 allows each province to dictate how and when they regulate sports betting. Provincial governments have to determine who is authorized to offer sports betting, the sports eligible for wagering, and the types of bets that are permitted.
As mentioned, this will vary from province to province. For example, Ontario’s thirst for an open market has already led to big industry players putting their stamp on the ON sports betting market. Conversely, provinces with smaller populations may limit bettors to their respective lottery offerings. For this reason, grey market sportsbooks may very well continue to account for much of the sports gambling revenue in the country.
Here’s the latest on legal sports betting in each Canadian province and territory:
Legal - online and retail: Alberta | British Columbia | Manitoba | New Brunswick | Newfoundland and Labrador | Nova Scotia | Ontario | Prince Edward Island | Quebec
Legal - retail only: Northwest Territories | Nunavut | Saskatchewan | Yukon
Status: Legal (online + retail)
Single-game sports betting is now legal in Alberta. Provincially regulated online betting arrived on Sept. 1, 2021, via PlayAlberta.ca, an online gambling website regulated by Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC). WCLC introduced retail single-game betting on Nov. 1, 2021 — Sport Select now allows Albertans to confirm single-event picks in person.
AGLC is preparing to welcome two additional sportsbook operators to Alberta in 2022. The crown corporation began accepting applications from third-party vendors on Dec. 10, 2021, hoping to identify two operators that can work with the province's casinos to offer retail and online wagering.
As for online and mobile sports betting, PointsBet Canada has expressed early interest in becoming one of the first private digital operators in the province.
Alberta sports bettors do already have both online and offline options available to meet their legal gambling needs. Play Alberta is the sole online platform, while Sport Select — a Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) product — is the retail alternative. Sport Select offers single-game betting, parlays, point spreads, and prop bets. Futures betting was introduced in November 2021.
With no retail sportsbooks in the province, bets must be placed at a participating convenience store or gas station. In the future, retail locations could make their way into any of Alberta’s more than two dozen casinos. If Albertans choose to go the offshore route, there are plenty of reputable sportsbooks to choose from.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
Canada’s westernmost province launched single-game sports betting on PlayNow.com on Aug. 27, 2021. On Nov. 1, 2021, the BCLC announced PlayNow took in over $25 million in single-game sports bets in the two months following the legalization of single-game wagering.
British Columbia offers legal sports betting in person and online. The Pacific Province was well-positioned to offer single-game bets via the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s PlayNow.com — Canada’s largest online sportsbook. In February 2021, the BCLC estimated the province could generate an additional $125-$175 million in sports betting revenue with the legalization of single-event betting.
On Aug. 3, 2021, it was announced that the BCLC had chosen Genius Sports Limited as its official data provider in preparation for Canada’s new-look betting landscape.
Although B.C. now offers single-game sports betting, offshore sportsbooks account for much of the sports betting action on the west coast.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
Single-game bets are now available in Manitoba. The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL) has permitted bettors to place wagers on the outcome of a single event on PlayNow.com since Aug. 27, 2021. WCLC's Sport Select platform has offered retail single-game betting since Nov. 1, 2021.
Like British Columbians, Manitobans benefit from single-game legal online sports betting with PlayNow.com. Currently, it’s the only provincially regulated online option for sports gamblers. There are no retail sportsbooks in Manitoba, but bettors can place in-person single-game wagers with Sport Select at select retailers. Both online and in-person gambling is regulated by the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MBLL) in “Friendly Manitoba”.
In addition to PlayNow, Manitoba sports bettors are free to try their luck with numerous legal offshore sports betting websites. These sites offer a superior experience for new and seasoned bettors via better bonus offers, odds, and betting opportunities.
During a Jan. 11, 2022, legislative committee hearing, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries president and CEO Manny Atwal discussed the province's need to expand its online gaming presence. Still, PlayNow.com is expected to bring in $50-$60 million in revenue in the fiscal year 2021.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) legalized single-game sports betting in New Brunswick on Aug. 27, 2021.
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) regulates all gambling in New Brunswick, and the lone legal sports betting option is Pro•Line. Moneyline, Over/Under, point spreads, and more can be placed at an ALC retailer, and online bets can be confirmed on the Pro•Line Stadium website.
As the sports betting landscape continues to change in NB, it’s possible one of the province’s two casinos could house a retail sportsbook. At the very least, New Brunswick residents can now wager on single events with Pro•Line.
Legal offshore sports gambling websites offer the best bang for a New Brunswicker’s buck, however. With sharp odds, promotions, and betting options, these sportsbooks outperform provincially regulated offerings.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) legalized single-game sports betting in Newfoundland and Labrador on Aug. 27, 2021.
Like New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador are serviced by the Atlantic Lottery when it comes to legal sports wagering. Pro•Line is available both online and offline on The Rock and the heart of the Big Land.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can also place legal sports bets with offshore sportsbooks. These websites offer much better odds and bet types with fewer betting limitations than Pro•Line.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
Single-game betting arrived in Nova Scotia on Feb. 11, 2022 — just in time for Super Bowl 56. After launching single-event wagering in New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and P.E.I. in August 2021, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) finally received the go-ahead in "Canada's Ocean Playground."
On July 21, 2022, ALC launched its online casino product in Nova Scotia.
The ALC regulates and provides sports betting services to Nova Scotians. Legal bets can be placed in Nova Scotia online with Pro•Line Stadium or in-person at an ALC retailer — typically a convenience store, grocery store, or gas station.
A more favourable legal online sports betting alternative for Nova Scotians is to wager with one of many legal offshore websites currently operating in Canada. These sportsbooks offer better odds, fewer restrictions, and enticing promotions for new bettors.
There are no retail sportsbooks in NS, but the province is home to two casinos — Casino Nova Scotia Halifax and Casino Nova Scotia Sydney — which could host sportsbooks in the future.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. began offering legal online single-game betting via a brand new online product — PROLINE+ — on Aug. 27, 2021. On Feb. 1, 2022, OLG announced that single-event wagering had also launched offline via the province's PROLINE platform.
Ontario residents and visitors now have the ability to place legal wagers with two dozen provincially regulated sports betting sites.
Canada’s most populous province set its new competitive iGaming market live on April 4, 2022. The AGCO has approved 46 online gaming operators (27 sports betting sites) to date, including DraftKings, FanDuel Ontario, BetRivers Ontario, bet365 Ontario, PointsBet Canada, and theScore Bet. Twenty-four (24) of these sports betting sites have executed iGaming Ontario operating agreements and have launched in Ontario.
Sports Interaction is the latest sportsbook to join Ontario's regulated market. SIA launched its Ontario sportsbook and casino on Aug. 29, 2022.
PROLINE, OLG's sportsbook product, became an official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball on June 16, 2022. The partnership includes cross-promotion across MLB's digital channels, the use of MLB logos, and free-to-play digital games offered throughout the season.
On June 13, 2022, PointsBet Canada announced it had become the official sports betting partner of ClubLink, the largest owner and operator of golf clubs in Ontario.
On May 25, 2022, Kings Entertainment Group Inc. and Sports Venture Holdings Inc. (SVH) reached an agreement to combine their businesses. Bet99, an SVH subsidiary-owned sportsbook, expects to be among the beneficiaries of the merger should it successfully execute an iGaming Ontario operating agreement.
Industry titan DraftKings launched its online sportsbook and casino on May 18, 2022. Previously, on Nov. 4, 2021, the sportsbook joined FanDuel as the NBA's official sports betting partner in Canada.
iGaming Ontario — a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) — manages all online gambling through third-party operators.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) legalized single-game sports betting in P.E.I. on Aug. 27, 2021.
Sports betting in Prince Edward Island is regulated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). P.E.I. residents can place wagers online with Pro•Line Stadium, or in-person at an ALC retail location.
P.E.I.’s two casinos — Red Shores Charlottetown and Red Shores Summerside — could present themselves as prime locations for future retail sportsbooks, but no such facilities are operating on the Island yet.
Beyond Pro•Line, P.E.I. sports bettors are limited to offshore gambling websites. These sportsbooks are licensed to operate in other jurisdictions, and therefore able to operate in Canada as well.
Status: Legal (online + retail)
Sports bettors in Quebec (visit this Québec page for the en français version) have been able to place single-game bets online with Mise-o-jeu+ and at retail locations with Mise-o-jeu, Loto-Quebec’s sports wagering platform, since Aug. 27, 2021.
Quebec allows both online and in-person single-game betting with Mise-o-jeu. Online bets can be placed via the Mise-o-jeu+ website or app, while physical bets can be placed at select locations throughout the province. Mise-o-jeu also features live-betting, a rarity for Canadian sportsbooks. Notably, there are no retail sportsbooks in Quebec. However, the province has a handful of casinos — including Montreal's appropriately named Casino de Montréal — that could offer sports betting in the future.
Although single-game sports betting is live in La belle province, offshore sportsbooks will continue to account for much of the betting action.
Status: Legal (retail only)
Single-game sports betting has arrived in the Northwest Territories. As of Nov. 1, 2021, residents can now bet on the result of a single event with Sport Select. Northwesters are still awaiting fully online betting, however.
The Northwest Territories offer legalized sports betting via the same Sport Select platform found in Alberta, Manitoba, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. Northwesters can place bets at participating retail outlets like gas stations and convenience stores, but Sports Select does not allow online wagering.
Unsurprisingly, there are no retail sportsbooks located in the NWT. As an alternative, sports bettors in the north can place wagers with legal offshore sportsbooks. These websites offer a less restrictive betting experience, with the ability to place more bets at more reasonable price points.
Status: Legal (retail only)
On Nov. 1, 2021, WCLC launched a revamped Sport Select product. The platform now allows Nunavut bettors to place single-game wagers at local retail outlets. Residents can build their tickets online, generate a QR code, and confirm their picks in person.
Nunavut is serviced solely by Sport Select, a platform overseen by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC). Nunavut bettors experience the same betting limitations found in several other provinces and territories. Without any retail sportsbooks or online betting options, bettors are limited to in-person wagers at select retail outlets.
Offshore sportsbooks are the best bet for Nunavut sports gamblers. Much more favourable wagers can be placed online with these licensed operators.
Status: Legal (retail only)
Western Canada Lottery Corporation quietly introduced single-game sports betting on Nov. 1, 2021, via a new-look Sport Select. While all picks must still be confirmed in person at a participating retailer, Saskatchewan residents are now able to wager on a single sporting event.
On June 6, 2022, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) signed an agreement with the British Columbia Lottery Corp. (BCLC), which will provide its PlayNow.com platform to players in the province. The addition of PlayNow will help expand legal Saskatchewan sports betting. SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen anticipates an October 2022 online sports betting launch in SK.
On Sep. 23, 2021, SIGA announced plans to launch online single-game sports betting in 2022 via a new gambling website and app. Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority will grant the new app a five-year window of exclusivity, meaning no competing sports betting sites will enter the SK market until 2027 at the earliest.
Saskatchewan sports bettors are currently limited to the Western Canada Lottery Corporation's (WCLC) Sport Select platform. In-person wagers can be placed at WCLC retail locations such as convenience stores and gas stations. Of course, like all Canadians, Saskatchewanians have the option of betting online with any of the top offshore sportsbooks operating legally in Canada.
The Land of the Living Skies is home to nine casinos — six of which are owned and operated by SIGA — but none of these locations feature dedicated retail sportsbooks. If SIGA opts to launch physical locations down the road, they’ll have their pick of the many brick-and-mortar locations.
Status: Legal (retail only)
Yukon bettors received good news on Nov. 1, 2021, as single-game sports betting made its way to the Land of the Midnight Sun. Residents can now submit single-event wagers with Sport Select at participating retail outlets.
Yukon sports gambling is legal and regulated by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. Sport Select is the lone option for offline betting, as there are no legal online sports betting alternatives offered by the WCLC. While Yukoners can research and make their picks online, all sports bets must be submitted at a select WCLC retail location.
For sports bettors seeking online action in Yukon, offshore sportsbooks remain the only option. These websites allow bettors to make single-game bets and place fewer limitations on users.
Although it is legal to bet with offshore sportsbooks in Canada, it’s vital you stick with officially licensed platforms to have the safest online sports betting experience possible.
The team at Covers has poured hours of testing and analysis into each sportsbook to ensure Canadian bettors have the best experience possible when gambling online.
Here are Canada’s top five trusted sportsbooks for 2022:
Canadian sports bettors can confidently place wagers with Sports Interaction. Also known as SIA, the online provider is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada. Sports Interaction not only offers competitive betting odds but a wide variety of betting options. Their top-notch customer support and secure banking keep them atop our list of best sportsbooks in Canada.
Our Sports Interaction review | Sign up for Sports Interaction
BetVictor is a reputable sportsbook option across the Atlantic and has also become one of the top choices for Canadian sports gamblers. BetVictor features a mobile app for on-the-go bets, excellent welcome offers for new bettors, and free, secure withdrawals. BetVictor is headquartered in Gibraltar and is licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and the UK Gambling Commission.
Our BetVictor review | Sign up for BetVictor
Betway’s dedicated mobile app is perhaps the best available in Canada. Combine this with its loyalty program, bonus offers, and a convenient live chat option, and you have an attractive option for Canadian sports bettors. Betway is a world-renowned online sportsbook licensed with the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gaming Commission.
Our Betway review | Sign up for Betway
bet365 has been a worldwide leader in online sports betting for more than two decades. The UK-based platform features a mobile app, a full library of bet types, and generous bonuses for new Canadian bettors. bet365 is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.
Our bet365 review | Sign up for bet365
Pinnacle offers Canadian bettors some of the best odds in the sports betting game today. The online sportsbook’s no fluff, low-margin model allows it to serve up favourable lines and quick turnarounds on withdrawals. Pinnacle also offers plenty of banking options, fantastic customer support, and solid coverage of major professional sports. Licensed in both Curacao and Malta, Pinnacle remains one of the best sports betting options in Canada today.
Yes, it is legal to gamble online in Canada with any platform that has obtained a licence to operate in its jurisdiction. This allows many grey sportsbooks to operate in Canada without issue. Ontario remains the exception here, as the AGCO and iGO must regulate all legal sportsbooks.
Yes, bets can be placed online with any licensed online casino or sportsbook.
Absolutely! It is legal to bet on sports with Sports Interaction in Canada.
Yes, bet365 is a world-renowned online sportsbook that operates legally in Canada.
You bet! Canadian bettors place legal sports wagers with Pinnacle every day.
It sure is! Betway is legal and operating in Canada.
Yes, it's perfectly legal to place wagers with BetVictor in Canada.
Canadian sports bettors can place bets online or in-person at a retail outlet. Retail sportsbooks will also be introduced in some provinces in the future.
Sports bets can be placed on your mobile phone by visiting one of the legal sportsbook websites listed above or another legal sportsbook in your province. Just enter some personal information to complete the sign-up process, and you’ll be ready to place your first online sports bet.
No. Canadians are not required to pay taxes on sports bet winnings or any other form of gambling winnings. This money does not need to be reported to the CRA unless it is your main source of income. Then, taxes would be applicable.
Sportsbooks are required to report only their own gambling revenue to the CRA. Gamblers’ winnings do not need to be reported, as these funds are not taxable in Canada.
Jeff Watters is a content editor at Covers. Before pivoting to sports betting in 2021, the well-traveled Nova Scotian and Atlanta Braves fanatic spent time writing about education, software, and NHL prospects.
Established in 1995,
