Sports Betting Websites: Finding the Ideal Sportsbook for Canadians

Cameron Kozinets
By:
Cameron Kozinets
Betting Inspiration
Sports Betting Websites
Sports Betting Websites: Finding the Ideal Sportsbook for Canadians

There are countless betting websites on the internet, so bettors are faced with a ton of choices. There is a lot to know about these sportsbooks, and the number of Canadian sports betting sites continues to grow. Finding your ideal website is not easy, but in this guide, we are here to help. There is no such thing as a perfect online betting site, but below, we will provide you with a breakdown of what makes a betting site great and some key details that you need to know. We'll introduce you to some top sites and break down crucial information. Essentially, we'll do the research, so you don't have to. Ready? Let's dive in. 

Best Sports Betting Websites

#
Betting Site
Promotion
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Sports Interaction
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Bodog
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Bettors Choice
PowerPlay
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GREATwin Review
GREATwin
4.8
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888Sport
888Sport
4.8
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888Sport
888Sport
4.8
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BetPlays
4.7
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shangrila review
HOT
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NEW
Betonic
4.7
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Fezbet review
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Fezbet
4.6
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Rollino
4.6
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Luckland
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Bet C$15 & Get C$10
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BetAndYou
4.6
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Palm Slots
4.6
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LuckyKoala
LuckyKoala
4.6
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Spinzwin
4.6
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Rabona
4.5
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Betway Sport
Betway
4.5
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BetVictor review
BetVictor
4.5
100% Bonus Up to $500
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Bet99
Bet99
4.5
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Tonybet review
TonyBet
4.4
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powbet review
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Powbet
4.4
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ComeOn Review
ComeOn!
4.4
Bet $25 Get $25 Free Bets
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Betrophy review
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4.4
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bet365
Bet365
4.3
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Neo.bet
Neo.Bet
4.3
$400 welcome package
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bwin sport
bwin
4.3
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GG.BET Review
GG.BET
4.2
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NEW
Cobrabet
4.2
100 EUR Free Bets
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truenorth.bet
4.2
200% Deposit Match Up To $6000
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Thrillsy review
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Thrillsy
4.2
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4.1
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20bet Review
NEW
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4.1
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Betiton
Betiton
4.0
Bet $15 Get 10$ Welcome Bonus
35
Unibet sport
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Unibet
3.9
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36
Pinnacle
Pinnacle
3.9
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Mr. Play
3.8
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Mr. Green
3.4
Release up to $200 in Free Bets
39
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Bethard
3.3
100% Matched Deposit Up to $200
40
Tiger Gaming
3.0
100% up tp 1,000$ Bonus
41
KTOsports
KTO
3.0
$50 Risk-free bet

Sports Betting Websites for New Players

Starting your sports betting journey can be extremely difficult. If you have never bet before, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the countless options, the betting jargon, and the novelty of it all. Well, we are here to help you navigate this process. The most important step in your journey might be the first step, which is choosing which of the Canadian sports betting websites you are going to use.

There are dozens and dozens of websites for sports betting that are legal to use in Canada. They each have something unique to offer bettors. Whether it is a smooth user interface, exciting bonuses and promotions, unique sports to bet on, or fun features, every sportsbook has a different selling point to try and stand out to bettors.

One of the most popular ways sportsbooks try to lure in new users is through a welcome offer. This is a bonus that is exclusive to people that have never signed up or deposited with an operator before. It offers bettors something for joining up with their website. Let’s look at a couple of the different kinds of welcome bonuses to be aware of.

  • Matched Deposit: This is the most common form of a welcome offer. Sportsbooks will match the initial deposit a user makes up to a certain amount. A typical matched deposit would be something like a 100% Matched Deposit Up to $200. So bettors that deposit $200 would receive the $200 they deposited plus an additional matched $200.
  • Free Bet: A Free Bet is another common form of a welcome bonus. Sportsbooks will provide one or several risk-free bets to bettors. These bets don't cost the bettor anything, but the winnings from them are paid out to the bettor. A typical welcome free bet offer would be to deposit $100 and get an extra $50 free bet.
  • Boosted Odds: This is a less common form of a welcome offer. How this works is that sportsbooks will take certain odds and change them to be more favourable to the bettor, even if nothing has changed in the actual sporting event. An example of a boosted odd welcome offer would be deposit $100, and all odds are boosted to 2.0 for one bet.

Bonuses and Promotions’ Terms and Conditions

So how can you pick these welcome packages? The key is to look at the terms and conditions. While many bonuses reel users in with catchy-sounding titles, the truth always lies in the terms and conditions. These are the rules that govern how a bonus can be used, and they often drastically change the value of the offer. It is crucial to always read them carefully. Here are some of the common terms to read over and consider.

  • Expiry Date: Bonuses don't last forever. Expiry dates are how long the bonuses last after you claim them.
  • Wagering Requirements: These are requirements that dictate how you can wager with a betting bonus.
  • Rollover Rate: This is a term that dictates how much you need to spend to be eligible to withdraw winnings from the bonus.
  • Eligible Payment Types: Some bonuses only work with certain payment methods, so ensure you look at this before depositing.

Sports Betting Websites for Existing Users

If you have already signed up for a sportsbook, you likely have gained some experience and used their welcome offer. If that is the case, there are still many excellent ways to enjoy offers from the best sports betting websites. If sportsbooks only gave bonuses to their new users, they’d be isolating the core people that keep them in business, so many operators provide plenty of exciting offers for their existing users.

Sports betting websites offer plenty of bonuses and promotions to users that have already signed up and deposited with them. These bonuses encompass a wide range of things. Let’s look at some of the most common promos that existing users can receive from sportsbooks.

  • Reload Bonus: A Reload Bonus is a promo bettors receive for re-depositing into their account on a certain day. Typically, sportsbooks will match their deposit up to a certain percentage or amount.
  • Boosted Odds: Boosted Odds are when sportsbooks enhance the odds of a certain event to be more favourable to bettors. That means the bettor has a more advantageous bet without any change in the game.
  • Parlay Boosts: Parlay Boosts are when sportsbooks boost the winnings bettors receive from parlay bets. Typically, it is scaled, so the more legs the parlay is, the more it is boosted.
  • Free Bets: Free Bets are a bonus that allows bettors to place risk-free bets on certain games or markets, with no risk to the bettor. The bettor doesn't have to spend any of their own money, but winnings are paid as cash.
  • You Lead, You Win: You Lead, You Win is a bonus where bets are paid out as wins in certain games or sports if a team leads by a certain margin. The bet is cashed once the team has that lead, even if they then blow it.

Free Bonuses vs. Paid Bonuses

Betting websites provide a lot of bonus options for users, and they typically rotate throughout the year. There are a million different kinds of bonuses, but the most important differentiator to be aware of with bonuses is the difference between free bonuses and paid bonuses.

These are essentially the two primary options for an offer. Either you will have to pay to use and enjoy the bonus, or you'll be able to access them for free. Paid bonuses tend to be more common because it is easier for sportsbooks to benefit from them, but there are also many free bonuses that you can find available on the many online sports betting websites Canadians use.

A free promotion doesn’t need bettors to deposit or place any specific bets to access it. An example of a free promotion would be a no-deposit welcome bonus. This doesn’t require users to deposit to receive their bonus funds. Similarly, a free bet bonus with no requirements to receive the bet will also not need bettors to pay any money to receive the offer. 

Paid bonuses are the more common type of the two. Typically, to receive a bonus, a bettor will have to take a specific action. As for a paid welcome bonus, users will have to deposit and receive a percentage of that deposit paid as a bonus. Or with a paid free bet bonus, users will have to take a specific action, like placing $25 worth of NHL bets, to receive the free bet offer.

Both bonus types can be found on many betting websites Canada. Free bonuses are lower risk and don’t require anything from bettors, but paid bonuses often pay out more.

Banking with Sports Betting Websites

Before you can get started with your betting journey, you’re going to need to go through the banking process. Banking with sports betting websites is a necessity, as you will need to deposit funds to place bets and hopefully withdraw your winnings. Many bettors might feel a little concerned about banking with an online operator. It might feel not safe or secure. But if you are using a licensed, legal sportsbook with strong cybersecurity, which all of Canada’s best sports betting websites are, then your money is in safe hands.

Sportsbooks today offer a massive number of payment options for users to pick from. There isn't one that is the best or the worst; it largely depends on your own preferences. There are many different deposit and withdrawal options that bettors should be aware of, and if you are trying to choose, we are here to help. Below, we'll look at some of the most popular banking methods and what they offer their users.

  • Credit/Debit Cards: This is the most standard banking option that will be provided by nearly every sportsbook you'll find. It is the one that most bettors use. Using your debit card for deposits is easy and fast, and all you need is your card details. However, for withdrawals, you need all your banking information, and it tends to take longer than other methods. Debit transactions have high maximum deposit or withdrawal amounts.
  • Interac: Interac is similar to debit transactions but even more efficient. Interac transactions require very little information from users, and some sportsbooks will allow you to just send an e-transfer right to their account to fill up your website bank account. Withdrawals are also easy, and some sportsbooks will just e-transfer you directly your requested amount. The maximum withdrawal or deposit amounts tend to be high.
  • E-Wallet: E-wallets are virtual wallets that hold currency and allow transactions. Some e-wallets that sportsbooks accept transactions from include ecoPayz, Neteller, and Skrill. The pros to e-wallets are that the transactions tend to be very fast, so you can have quick deposits and withdrawals. The biggest con with e-wallets is that many sportsbooks don’t accept transactions with e-wallets for certain bonuses, like welcome offers.
  • Cryptocurrency: This is the latest deposit and withdrawal method to become popular. Cryptocurrency transactions have both upsides and downsides. The upside is their speed, which is the best of any deposit method. You can have near-instant transactions. The downside is that this payment method is far less common, so it is hard to find on most betting sites. There are also many scam websites that use crypto transactions because they are the least regulated, so ensure you are banking with a safe sportsbook when you see crypto options.

Banking FAQs

  • Do I need to pay fees? - It depends on the website and the deposit method, but most of the time, the answer to this is a definite no. There are typically no fees for transactions unless your payment method assesses them.

  • How fast are the withdrawals? - The typical timing for withdrawals depends on the method you use. With crypto, transactions can be instant. With bank transfers, it can take anywhere from a few days to over a week.

  • How can I be sure a sportsbook can be trusted to pay out? - You should definitely research how trustworthy a sportsbook is before depositing. The most popular and best betting websites can all be trusted to honour their withdrawals.
125% Up To $250

Sports, Markets, and Odds

The average sportsbook is massive, with so much to explore. Three of the defining aspects of a modern operator are their sports, markets, and odds. Below, we’ll explore what all three of these things mean and what you need to know about each of them to succeed in betting.

Sports

The world of sports betting revolves around sports. If you are using any of the top Canadian sports betting websites, it is likely because you are interested in sports and want to get in on the action. But what defines how good a sportsbook is for betting is its sports coverage. These are the different sports and leagues they'll have betting options available for.

Nearly every sportsbook will have odds on the big sports and leagues, particularly if they are available in Canada. You'll find NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, and an array of soccer betting options on most Canadian sportsbooks. It is also highly likely you'll find options for boxing, tennis, golf, and UFC. What defines how deep a sportsbook's coverage goes is the number of options they have for each game. A sportsbook with deep coverage will have an array of markets for all the biggest sports.

Markets

Markets are the individual things that bettors are placing bets on within a game or league. They are the outcomes that bettors are placing their money on to either happen or not happen. Let’s look at some of the most popular markets and types of bets to be aware of.

  • Moneyline: A Moneyline bet is a bet on the direct outcome of a game, meaning if you bet a team on the Moneyline, you've picked them to win.
  • Point Spread: The Spread is a line that indicates the projected score differential in favour of one team. Bettors can pick for or against the spread.
  • Total: The Total is a line that represents the projected total amount of points or goals scored in a game between both teams combined. Bettors can pick the over for more points/goals than the line or the under.
  • Futures: Futures are long-term bets within a league. These are things like who will win MVP, who will win a championship, and so on.
  • Prop Bets: Prop Bets are bets on outcomes within a game that might not be tied to the final score. There are game props, which revolve around teams, and player props, which are centred around individuals.
  • Singles: Singles are a type of bet that is on one outcome. This can be a single Moneyline, spread, future, or any other market bet. The key thing to know is that only one outcome needs to occur for it to hit.
  • Parlays: Parlays are bets that tie multiple outcomes into one bet. The odds are boosted higher according to how many bets are in it. Every outcome within a parlay needs to hit for it to cash.

Odds

Odds are the different lines that determine the likelihood of an event occurring. They show you how much money you will make if you place a bet and win on that line. Every sportsbook has different odds, although they are typically very similar. You should always shop odds. What this means is if you want to bet on a specific event and outcome, find a sportsbook with the odds most favourable to you, as they all have different odds. 

There are three common types of odds you’ll see. They are American, decimal, and fractional. American is the most commonly used on Canadian sports betting websites, so we’ll explain how they work briefly.

American odds work on a + and - system. + shows bettors how much profit they would make on a $100 bet. If something is +300, that means a bet of $100 would yield $300 profit, as well as the staked $100 returned. - shows how much bettors would need to bet to make $100 in profit. If something is -300, bettors need to bet $300 to receive a $100 profit, as well as their staked $300 back.

Other Aspects of a Betting Website

While sports betting is what draws most people in, the typical sports betting site will have more on tap than just that. Many operators double as sportsbooks and casinos. A lot of these betting websites allow you to deposit into a shared wallet, which means you can use the funds to bet on both casino games and sports betting events. There are even shared bonuses, where you can access sportsbook and casino bonuses.

This is fun for bettors as it adds some diversity to their betting experience. Casino games aren’t for everyone, but if you enjoy them, finding a shared wallet betting site can be a blast.

Features

One important consideration with a sportsbook is the embedded features that it will have available to users. Features are the different inherent offerings that a sportsbook will provide. These are things that go beyond markets; they are an embedded aspect of a sportsbook.

All the top websites for sports betting will have different features. They are the distinct aspects of an operator that set them apart. There are many kinds of features that bring something fun and unique to the table for bettors. Let’s look at some of the different ones that bettors should be aware of and seek out from their next betting site.

  • Live Betting: Live betting is a sportsbook feature that allows bettors to place bets on games that are already underway. Live betting has odds that update as the game is played, with each change impacting the team's projected outcomes.
  • Live Streaming: Live streaming is a feature that only very established operators have. It is a feature that allows bettors to watch certain games live directly from the sportsbook. Typically, it will only be available in specific leagues.
  • Bet Builder: The bet builder feature allows users to make custom bets that include same-game parlays.
  • Daily Odds Boosts: Daily odds boosts are when sportsbooks take different odds every day and boost their outcome to be more favourable to bettors.
  • Free Pick’Ems: Free pick’ems are a kind of feature where sportsbooks let users pick a bunch of different outcomes for free, with the bettor who picks the most correct receiving cash prizes. It is fun and free.
  • Statistics Page: A statistics page is a resource where bettors can find stats and information on a bunch of sports. This information can be extremely useful for bettors to make informed decisions for their next bets.

Mobile

The modern sports bettor isn't typically tied to their laptop or desktop; they love betting on the go. To accommodate this, most online sports betting websites have learned to create mobile offerings that enable users to place bets from their phones. There are two primary mobile formats that bettors will typically have available. These are mobile apps and mobile-optimized betting sites.

Mobile apps are a downloadable version of the sportsbook that you can get either on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. These can be downloaded directly to your home screen. They take up space on your phone but offer the easiest access and the best user experience. Betting apps will often have bonuses for users specific to them, so if you download the app, you get a bonus. These are probably the best way to bet from your phone.

A mobile-optimized site is similar to a betting app but is accessed through the browser of your phone. It is a version of the sportsbook that is designed specifically for a mobile format. It condenses the desktop experience to a phone and will typically function smoothly and efficiently. There are no bonuses specific to mobile sites, and it can be annoying to have to go to your browser every time you want to access the sportsbook. But if there is no app, this is an excellent option.

Both mobile sites and betting apps allow users to place bets from their phones, enabling them to bet on the go. They are both excellent options for bettors and something that all sports betting websites should provide.

125% Up To $250

Safety of Sports Betting Websites

Arguably the pivotal consideration that every bettor should have before they begin their sports betting journey is the safety of the website they use. The best sports betting websites provide a secure, safe, and legal place for bettors to enjoy sports betting, and there are a lot of factors that go into this. Considering you input your personal information and payment details and are banking on the sportsbook to be fair, safety might be the most important aspect of sports betting.

Let’s look at the three components of a safe betting experience.

Security

Security is something bettors need to pay close attention to. If a sportsbook isn’t secure, even if it is legal, you are at serious risk of having your information stolen. Hacks are common on the internet, so you should really only use a sportsbook that has a strong track record of cybersecurity with significant steps taken to protect bettors.

So how do you find out about the security of a website? There are steps you should take. If you scroll to the bottom of a sportsbook's home page, you should see a tab that says security or data protection policy. This will provide you with insight into what the sportsbook offers for its cybersecurity.

Some examples of things you should want are 128-bit Secure Socket Layer data encryption and certifications from third-party cybersecurity analysts.

Licensing

Licensing is something that will tell you all you need to know about the safety of a sportsbook. For a sportsbook to be legal and safe, it has to be licensed by an accredited online gaming regulator. There are many regulators all over the world.

The two most important ones in Canada are iGaming Ontario, the Ontario government’s regulatory body, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, a tribal sportsbook regulator from Quebec. There are also licensing regulators from places like Malta and Curacao that license some of the biggest sportsbooks in the world.

The license a sportsbook has shows you who oversees them. Each regulator has different fairness and security policies that they enforce, and you can read up on those by Googling the regulator. If a sportsbook is unlicensed or doesn't display any license, avoid using it. Licenses are a near guarantee of safety and fairness.

Legality

The final consideration is legality. If a sportsbook is legal, that is because it is overseen by a regulator that protects users by ensuring cybersecurity and fairness. While every province in Canada has different rules pertaining to sports betting, it is generally legal everywhere. While Ontario is the only place where the province officially licenses and oversees the industry, in every other province, you can legally use licensed offshore websites, which essentially makes online sports betting legal.

Sign-Up Process

We’ve given you a lot of details to digest about sportsbooks, and you’re probably now feeling ready to get started. If that’s the case, you’re going to have to undergo the sign-up process. This is a relatively straightforward process, where you input some personal details to construct an account.

Many people are initially hesitant about this process, as signing up with a sportsbook requires personal information like your address and contact information. It is natural to have concerns, but if you are registering with the best online sports betting websites, you are in safe hands. The top sports betting websites have excellent security and a commitment to user data protection.

If you've heard enough and are ready to get started, we've provided a quick step-by-step guide to creating a sportsbook account below.

  • Step One: Find the Right sportsbook. Pick a sportsbook that has all the primary things you are looking for and a track record of safety and security.
  • Step Two: Click the Sign-Up tab. Visit the home page of the sportsbook you are hoping to sign up with. Click on the tab that says Sign-Up or Create an Account.
  • Step Three: Follow the Sign-Up Process. When you sign up, the sportsbook will put you through a step-by-step process to create an account. You will need to enter your name, contact information like email and phone number, address, date of birth, and more. This is the most important process, and ensure you are being honest because sportsbooks often require identity verification for withdrawals.
  • Step Four: Claim a Bonus. The sign-up process is typically when users will have to claim their welcome offer. While you sign up, there is typically a box you can check where you state that you want to claim a welcome offer. Check that box. Read up on the offer beforehand to ensure you want to use it.
  • Step Five: Let the Fun Begin. You should now have an account and be good to get rolling.

Customer support

Sportsbooks are massive websites that have a million moving parts, and even the best Canadian sports betting sites can have some problems. Whether it is a confusing screen display or a technical issue, there is a good chance you will run into some confusion while using a sportsbook. If that is the case, every operator has customer support features designed to help users overcome these obstacles.

There are many customer support options, with each meeting the different needs of users. Here are some options you can expect to see in a typical sportsbook.

  • FAQ Page: An FAQ page is a helpful resource for bettors. Essentially, it is a place you can go to find a huge amount of answers to some of the most common questions you are likely to have about your sportsbook. Some will have hundreds of answers on their page.
  • Email Line: An email line is good if you have concerns that aren’t particularly pressing. You can reach out to the sportsbook with a question or request, and they’ll get back to you via email. Typically, it takes between hours and days to hear back.
  • Live Chat: Live Chat is a customer support feature that allows users to message back and forth with a representative in real-time. This is good for people that don't like phone calls because you can get the same sense of immediacy without the need to be on the phone.
  • Phone Line: A phone line is a resource where you can call the sportsbook directly and have someone pick up and walk you through whatever issue you're having. It is the fastest form of customer support because it involves direct contact, but not every operator has one of these lines.

Conclusion

There are more betting websites Canada than ever before, and the number gets added to every day. If you are looking to get started on a sports betting journey, we advise that you keep in mind that betting is a form of entertainment, so be smart with your budgeting. Sportsbooks are savvy businesses, so don't overextend yourself and start losing money. There are ways to set limits to how much you can bet in a day so that you don't go overboard. With that said, betting is some of the most fun you can have while watching sports, and there are countless sports betting websites that promise a ton of fun experiences with exciting features, innovative interfaces, and thrilling bonuses. Exercise caution, but find the operator that is best for your betting needs, and you will be in line for a betting experience to remember.