Most popular sports to bet on in Canada
Sports betting in Canada has seen a significant rise in popularity, thanks in part to the legalization of single-event betting and online sports betting. These changes have opened up a multitude of betting opportunities for both seasoned bettors and newcomers alike, who now enjoy a wider range of options and more competitive odds.
According to the experts of bestsportsbettingcanada.ca, the best sports betting sites in Canada include many that offer great sign-up bonuses and promotional incentives. Adding to the experience, there are now more ways than ever for punters to bet on sporting events in Canada. The most popular among these are expanded on at the end of the article for newbies interested in getting in on this rapidly growing craze. For now, here are the most popular sports that Canadians bet on, and why these sports attract so much attention from punters.
Hockey is undeniably the most popular sport in Canada when it comes to both watching and betting. The NHL, featuring several Canadian teams, is the primary focus for hockey betting. The sport’s fast pace and the national passion for hockey combine to make NHL games, especially the Stanley Cup playoffs, highly anticipated events for placing bets. Beyond the professional level, the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships also see a lot of betting activity, largely because of the involvement of Canadian teams and the country’s deep connection to the sport.
In Canada, the most popular ice hockey teams to bet on hail from the NHL, reflecting the deep-rooted passion for the sport across the country. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are two of the most storied franchises in the league, with large and loyal fan bases that enthusiastically support and bet on their games.
The Maple Leafs, known for their long history and fervent fan following, often see high betting volumes, especially given their recent competitive performances. Similarly, the Canadiens, with their rich history of 24 Stanley Cup wins, attract significant betting interest whenever they hit the ice.
Football follows closely, with the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL) being the main attractions. The CFL, with its unique rules and shorter season, offers a distinct betting experience compared to its American counterpart. The Grey Cup, the championship game of the CFL, garners widespread national interest for, making it one of the biggest betting events in the country. Meanwhile, the NFL enjoys a strong following in Canada, with events like the Super Bowl creating massive football betting volumes due to its high profile and extensive media coverage.
In Canada, the most popular football teams to bet on are those in the Canadian Football League (CFL), with the Toronto Argonauts, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Edmonton Elks at the forefront. The Toronto Argonauts, one of the oldest professional sports teams in North America, attract significant betting interest due to their storied history and numerous Grey Cup championships.
Basketball has also grown in popularity, particularly following the Toronto Raptors’ unlikely 2019 NBA Championship win, which significantly boosted interest in the sport across Canada. The NBA season offers numerous betting opportunities, from individual games to futures bets on season winners. The sport’s fast-scoring nature and star-driven appeal for basketball betting and make it particularly exciting for live betting, where odds update rapidly as the game progresses.
Soccer is another key player in the Canadian betting scene, with Major League Soccer (MLS) providing a local outlet for enthusiasm. International competitions like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and English Premier League also draw considerable attention, showcasing a growing interest in global soccer events. Soccer betting features a variety of markets, from simple match outcomes to more complex bets like exact scores or the number of corners in a game.
Canada is poised to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 alongside the United States and Mexico, marking a significant milestone in Canadian soccer. This event will be the first time Canada hosts the World Cup, presenting a unique opportunity to boost the sport’s profile across the country.
Hosting duties are expected to catalyze infrastructure developments and promote local talent, potentially elevating the Canadian soccer scene to new heights. The event is also anticipated to draw substantial international attention and tourism, significantly impacting the economy. As a co-host, Canada will automatically participate in the tournament, providing an unprecedented platform for Canadian athletes on the global stage.
Baseball also sees its fair share of betting action, particularly with the Toronto Blue Jays storied history as Canada’s sole MLB team. The regular season’s length, with each team playing 162 games, allows for a multitude of baseball betting opportunities, ranging from daily matchups to season-long predictions like division winners or total season wins.
Horse Racing, though not as universally followed as team sports, holds a niche yet historic segment of the Canadian sports betting market. Iconic events for betting on horses such as the Queen’s Plate, Canada’s oldest thoroughbred horse race, attract bets both from seasoned punters and casual fans alike. The tradition and pageantry of horse racing, combined with the detailed handicapping involved, make it a uniquely engaging betting experience.
Tennis and Golf are sports with less frequent events but significant betting interest during major tournaments like the Grand Slams in tennis or the Majors in golf. These sports offer different betting dynamics, focusing more on individual performance rather than team dynamics, and often involve a wider range of potential winners, which can offer more attractive odds for bettors.
The evolution of sports betting in Canada has been influenced by technological advancements and regulatory changes. Online betting platforms have become increasingly popular, offering convenient access to a wide range of sports and markets, along with tools like live betting and mobile apps that enhance the betting experience.
These platforms compete with traditional brick-and-mortar betting shops and real money online casinos, providing Canadian bettors with comprehensive and accessible options to wager on their favorite sports. In Canada, sports betting enthusiasts have a variety of popular bet types they commonly place.
Moneyline bets are straightforward and prevalent, where punters simply choose which team they think will win the game. This type of bet is especially popular in hockey and football. However, point spread bets are also favored, involving a bet not just on who will win, but by how much they will win, adding a layer of complexity and excitement. In sports like basketball and football, this type of betting is common.
Over/under bets, or totals, where bettors wager on whether the total score by all teams will be over or under a predetermined amount, are popular across various sports due to their simplicity and applicability to almost any game. Meanwhile, parlays offer the potential for a high return on a small wager, as they involve multiple bets on one ticket, but require all selections to win.
Lastly, prop bets, which can involve betting on specific events within a game (like which player will score first), add an element of depth and are particularly engaging during major events like the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl. These varied betting options cater to different levels of risk and involvement, making sports betting a dynamic activity for Canadian punters.
The landscape of sports betting in Canada is rich and varied, with a blend of North American and international sports capturing the betting public’s imagination. Whether it’s the national obsession with hockey, the excitement of football, or the global allure of soccer and basketball, Canadian sports fans have a wide array of choices for their betting activities. This diversity not only reflects the multicultural nature of Canada but also represents the broad array of interests among Canadian sports fans.
