Is Sports Betting Legal in Canada? The Definitive 2026 Guide to Canada's Legal Sports Betting Status

The demand for sports betting across Canada has shot up dramatically, so much so that in 2021 the Bill C-128 was introduced to legalize it. This means that sports betting in Canada is legal, but there are still some restrictions.

Provinces like Ontario benefit from an open market where privately owned sportsbooks are welcome to operate. However, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec are all limited to the province-run betting sites. There are many discussions ongoing about potentially opening this up, but Canadian bettors can often access international sportsbooks too. This means sites like Bet365, 1xBet and Betsafe are available.

Top Legal Betting Sites in Canada for July

Pros and cons legal sports betting in Canada

Pros and Cons

• Sports betting is legal in Canada
• Private sportsbooks can operate in Ontario
• Competitive odds

• Rules vary by province

Is sports betting legal in Canada?

If you had asked us this question a few years ago then we would have had a whole different answer to the one we’re about to give you. As of 2021, sports betting is legal in Canada, more specifically single game sports betting.

Five years ago the Canadian government introduced Bill C-218 which meant that sports betting was no longer illegal at the federal level. Before this bill came into effect, only parlay betting was permitted with Canada. With that in mind though, it’s up to each province to decide how it’s going to regulate this activity.

Some provinces like Ontario allow privately owned sportsbooks to operate, whereas others like Alberta and Quebec only offer sportsbooks that are run by the province itself. So depending on where in Canada you live, the regulations that you need to adhere to when it comes to sports betting could be very different.

Many sportsbooks in Canada exist in a bit of a grey area where they’re not technically licensed to operate, but they’re also not sanctioned by local regulations, due to being licensed in other jurisdictions.

Provinces in Canada where sports betting is legal

Although sports betting is legal across Canada, the way that it's regulated and what’s allowed varies from depending on the province that you’re in. As a result of the C-128 Bill, you’ll have access to different sportsbooks and betting markets depending on where you live. So let’s take a peek into what this might look like for you.

Ontario

This province has one of the most open and competitive sports markets in Canada. Following the introduction of the new sports betting bill, Ontario launched a brand new framework that allowed sportsbooks to apply for licenses to operate in this province. This means that Ontario bettors usually have the most options when it comes to choosing a sportsbook to join. Just keep in mind that to place wagers at one of these sportsbooks, you need to be physically located in Ontario at the time.

Alberta

Sports betting is legal in Alberta, just like in the rest of Canada, but this province uses a government-controlled model. What does this mean? Well, in essence it means that you can only place bets at sites that are controlled by the province's local authorities. So, unlike Ontario, there isn’t a regulated and privately owned sportsbook market for Alberta, although there have been many discussions about doing exactly that — which would allow new betting sites in Canada to be accessed by Alberta residents. Many bettors in Alberta can access international sportsbooks which aren’t strictly prohibited.

British Colombia

British Columbia offers their legal sports betting through a province-owned site called PlayNow. Bettors can place wagers on a variety of sports, just like you would at any sportsbook. For the most part it operates in exactly the same way, offering markets on hockey, football, basketball, tennis and soccer. This is an example of another province that doesn’t yet have regulations in place to license privately owned sportsbooks. Instead, most residents will access PlayNow for their sports betting needs.

Quebec

Anyone who’s located in Quebec will have to stick to placing bets at Mise-o-jeu, which is the province government’s betting platform. The site is managed by Loto-Quebec and offers plenty of betting markets on major sports leagues along with international events like the World Cup. Just like the other provinces, Quebec doesn’t allow private sportsbooks to operate locally. However, there are several international sportsbooks that accept Canadian bettors due to having licenses with other jurisdictions.

Where to bet on sports in Canada

Even though sports betting in Canada comes with significant restrictions, there are still quite a few sportsbooks that are available to choose from. Some provinces even have dedicated betting shops that you can go to in person, but for the purposes of this guide we’re going to stick to online betting sites.

1xBet: A sign up offer worth considering

At 1xBet you can place wagers on hundreds of markets and a huge variety of sports including North American leagues and beyond. This includes popular sports like the NBA, NFL, NHL and the English Premier League. Speaking of international soccer, 1xBet also offers a range of markets for the World Cup which is currently ongoing.

One thing that draws bettors to 1xBet is the extensive range of promotional offers that it has available. We’re talking No Risk Bets and a competitive welcome sports betting bonus where you could get a 120% bonus on your first deposit. Sounds pretty good, right? The only caveat is that the wagering requirements are quite high, requiring bettors to place 10 accumulator-style bets before the bonus is withdrawable.

BC game: Bet on 35+ different sports

BC Game offers sports betting on 35 different sports including both traditional and more niche markets like eSports and racing. When it comes to international soccer, BC Game has over 1,000 markets to choose from, so you’re spoilt for choice here. This platform also offers some pretty competitive odds on these markets, that can compare to even the biggest and most established sites in Canada.

New bettors can get a boost on your first four deposits to this site. The first deposit gets a 180% bonus, the second gets a 240% bonus, the third gets a 300% bonus and the fourth gets a 360% bonus. Each deposit bonus has a different minimum deposit requirement and a maximum bonus that you can be awarded. And here’s some good news, there are a range of betting payment methods in Canada that you can use for these deposits.

Bet365: A renowned global brand

Bet365 is one of the most globally recognised betting brands so it doesn’t need much of an introduction. You can expect a huge range of betting markets on all major leagues, plus some super exciting live betting options that set this site apart from others. Bet365 has both an intuitive desktop site and a fantastic mobile app, so how you place your wagers is entirely up to you. Betting apps in Canada are becoming more popular with bettors so it’s always useful to know which sites offer them.

If you sign up to this site, you can also pick up a $50 bonus when you deposit and wager $10. This may not seem like a huge sign up offer compared to others, but the T&Cs around claiming it are far more straight forward. Sometimes simple is better than big but complicated.

Betsafe: Claim plenty of promotional offers

The sports betting options at Betsafe are impressive, with the site making it very easy to compare odds and add wagers to your betslip. You shouldn’t have any issues finding the sports you’re looking for as Betsafe has a long list of available markets. Currently you can make bets on football, basketball, eSports, hockey, tennis and even more niche sports like handball.

Prepare to be rewarded when you sign up too as Betsafe has a huge number of promotions running at the moment. This includes plenty of World Cup specific offers like parlay boosts, early payouts and leaderboard contests with impressive prize pools. You’ll find all of these and more in the promotions page at Betsafe.

Betsson: Competitive odds on every sport

This platform offers competitive odds on hundreds of sports markets, from football to international soccer, and tennis to eSports. We found the mobile experience to be just as solid as the desktop, with handy navigation menus tucked away so they don’t get in the way of your sports betting. Here you’ll also find features like the Bet Builder, Live Stream Calendar and promotions.

Speaking of offers, new bettors can grab a 100% deposit bonus up to $160 when you sign up and place a qualifying bet. There are always sports specific offers to be claimed too like the Cup of Champions, Basketball Early Payout, and the Soccer Acca Boost. Overall, a great place for those looking to wager on many different sports.

Legal sports betting in Canada on mobile

When it comes to sports betting, where you place your wagers is a pretty personal choice. Some like to be at home with their laptop, while others prefer to place a few wagers during your lunch break or in the bar while watching the game. The good news is that most betting sites in Canada are also mobile optimized which means that you can access them from any device.

This gives you a much greater flexibility in how you choose to bet. Gone are the days where you’re forced to bet only one way — now it’s entirely up to you. Be sure to check how the mobile version of a sportsbook feels before signing up, as some are much better designed than others. If there’s a mobile app then we’d recommend checking this out too as they have been specifically tailored to suit the smaller screen. There is also the added bonus and convenience of being able to access them with just one tap.

Conclusion – Sports betting is legal in Canada

So, is sports betting legal in Canada? The answer is yes! Since the introduction of Bill C-128 five years ago, Canadians have been able to enjoy the excitement of placing wagers on single-event sports. However, the rules and regulations can vary heavily between provinces.

Ontario has the most open market of any Canadian province, as it’s the only one that allows privately owned sportsbooks to operate. On the other hand, provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec only allow province-run betting platforms. But regardless of province-specific regulations, sports betting across Canada is now far more accessible than it used to be, with a wide range of markets to choose from.

Now, are you ready to take part for the first time? Maybe you’re looking to move to a new site? Whatever it is, check out the page banners for links to different sites that we’ve recommended, and always double check what’s available in your province.

FAQs: Legal sports betting in Canada