Online Bookmakers: Top 5 Best Bookies of Canada

In the world of online betting, there are numerous sites where you can place your bets. We try to review as many as possible to help you find the right online bookmaker. Below you can find the complete overview of all our reviews. Read our reviews of these bookmakers and choose wisely!

online bookmakers

Top-Rated Bookmakers of March 2024

Betway Sports
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100% up to $30 Free Bet
Bodog
Bodog
8.5 stars
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100% Bonus up to $200
GGBET
GGBET
7 stars
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200% Bonuses up tu $200
Pinnacle Sports
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50% Bonus
Sports Interaction
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100% Bonus up to $100

Understanding online bookmakers

Sports betting online is a growing business, but this can make it very hard to know which is the best bookmaker Canada has to offer. The websites will also offer a range of different features, making the decision even harder. With this in mind, we’ve got a complete list of bookmakers online, perfect for Canadian players.

But you might have other questions. Throughout this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about these websites, and betting at one, to give you the best start to your online gaming. Keep reading this online bookmaker guide to find out more.

What is a bookmaker?

An online bookmaker is simply an organization or person that accepts bets. Not only will they accept these bets, but they will also pay out any bets that are won. Often known as a bookie, bookmakers will also set and adjust odds to try to create a balance between the wins and losses.

This does mean that some bookmakers will be offering better odds than others for similar events. This is one of the key things you will need to consider when taking on a bet or choosing where to play. We’re going to cover all this and more.

How do bookmakers calculate odds?

It may sound like it’s an easy job to be a bookmaker, but actually it is not. Bookmakers have to deal with the fact that correct predictions are hard to make and they have to do this in one of the most competitive jobs.

Calculating odds is a fine art, as it has to walk the line with giving the bookmaker the opportunity of making a profit while also being appealing to the player. Odds are simply the likelihood of an outcome, but they don’t just reflect the probability of an outcome.

Bookie odds also reflect the outcome to the right proportion. This is so that they can make a profit no matter which outcome occurs — enough players have bet on each option. Essentially, the bookmaker removes any variance.

Odds are calculated by setting a starting margin, often 5%, then setting the odds to include this small commission. This is called the Overround or Vig and is then part of the odds that players will see and use. The main odds are then calculated carefully based on statistics of the games, history, form of a team and of course, human opinion.

Why bet at a bookmaker online?

With online bookmakers making the transition to the online platform, it will come as no surprise that this is a great way for you to enjoy online betting. Really, betting online is just much more convenient than having to head into a land-based bookie.

On top of that, payouts are much more instant than they are in a land-based bookmaker. When you get a win, the bookmaker online automatically registers this, adding the payout to your account. In contrast, for a land-based site, you’d actually need to go into the shop to collect a win.

Better still is the fact that online bookmakers are able to offer you a range of bonuses that include free bets, cashback bonuses and more — something unheard of in a brick and mortar venue. And finally, there’s a chance to get the most competitive odds in the industry, as you can shop around.

best bookmakers Canada

What is the best online bookmaker?

So, what makes a good online bookmaker? Well, there are a number of things that you, and we, consider when choosing the best bookmakers. As a starting point, good bookmakers have an easy-to-use interface that’s easily navigable. Their page also needs to be compatible across a range of devices, allowing you to play on a mobile.

Top bookmaker websites need to be highly secure, using the latest encryption protocols to protect your private data. This includes offering quality, secure payment methods that operate in a timely fashion. Security is also covered by gaming licenses and reputable software providers, which always need to be checked.

A bookmaker Canada that wants to rank high will also offer a wide range of markets. This means covering a vast array of different matches as well as offering the chance to bet on political events. Top bookmakers Canada will also include virtual and live betting opportunities to ensure 24/7 betting is available.

Finally, good bookmakers also provide a range of bonuses, promotions, competitive odds and a range of betting types, enabling you to choose an option that suits you.

Bookmaker tips

With so much going on, it can be hard to know if you’re actually able to make money at a bookmaker. Happily, there are a number of tips available that can help you to generate a relatively regular turnover. Here are some of the top tips to consider:

  • Choose a good bookie with competitive odds
  • Create a working betting strategy
  • Do research — head over heart when placing bets
  • Be consistent in your betting
  • Avoid accumulators as they are not good value for money

However, none of these tips will guarantee you betting success; they’re just here to help you on your way a little. After all, the matches are unpredictable – that’s part of the fun!

How to become a bookmakers site

With all this going on, you may be thinking it’s easier to just become one of the bookmakers websites. So, how do you do this? Well, you need to learn the art of getting the amount of money on each bet to give you a profit on all results. This means getting good at adjusting odds. This does require a lot of skill and knowledge.

You will also need to get legally set up, which means getting the right license in Canada, choosing whether to go independently or partner up, whether to go online or physically and so on. This all takes a lot of money, so it may not be worth it for you in the long run.

At the end of the day, playing at bookmakers is a lot easier than becoming one. Play your cards right, and you’ll make some profit as a bettor.

Frequently Asked Questions


Do you have any questions regarding Canadian bookmaker sites or gambling in general? We tried to answer the most critical issues for you below. If your question is still not answered, you can always contact us. We are happy to help everyone!

Is online betting legal in Canada?

In short, it is illegal to operate an online gambling service in Canada without a license, however, it is perfectly safe and legal for Canadians to bet at any offshore bookmaker. The Canadian government has ran several online lottery schemes all across the country and even the Kahnawake Gaming Commission based in Quebec, which has licensed Sports Interactive just to name a few.

What is the legal age for online sports betting in Canada?

Each province has its own set of regulations for internet betting. The legal gambling age in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec is 18. The legal gambling age is 19 in the other seven provinces (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan).

What are the best Canadian online bookmakers?

Which Canadian online bookmakers are best all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a bookmaker with a variety of matches to choose from, we recommend Bodog and GG.BET. For a more experienced online bookmaker, have a look at Pinnacle Sports and Sports Interaction. Lastly, if you want to be able to places bets on-the-go, Bodog and Betway are the way to go.

What are the most popular matches to bet on online with bookmakers?

With a wide variety of matches to choose from on online bookmakers, it can get a little overwhelming to make a decision on which match to stick with. There are, however, some matches that always end up at the top of the rankings. For instance, the outcome of the Super Bowl is one of the most wagered events in the world. But that doesn’t necessarily mean American football is the most popular events to bet on, as it only happens once a year and tennis and race horse events are held almost around the whole year. Also, soccer is the biggest bitting subject in the world, with billions being wagered annually with several bookmakers.

So to summarize, whether you’re betting on American football, horse races, soccer and tennis, you can’t go wrong with any of those matches.

What are the payment options at online bookmakers?

All of the online bookmakers have their own options when it comes payment, but the choice usually consists of:

  • Direct bank transfer
  • Credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express)
  • Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency
  • e-Wallets

Check out each the each of the online bookmakers to view the full list of supported payment methods.

Can I use PayPal to make a deposit to a Canadian online bookmaker?

PayPal does not handle online gambling transactions for Canadians at the time. They used to, but after the United States enacted legislation prohibiting online gambling transactions, PayPal grouped Canada with the rest of North America, despite the fact that online gaming is allowed in Canada.