Your complete guide to
live sports betting in Canada
Think all bets are off when the puck drops and the first pitch is thrown? Think again. With live betting, you can continue placing bets in play – perfect if you notice the momentum of a match shift or if you simply didn’t get your bet on in time for the off.
For me, having the ability to place live bets on sports is an absolute must-have for any online sportsbook. That’s why I’ve pulled together this essential guide to get you up to speed with the basics of live sports betting.
How does
live betting
work?
There’s no great mystery or secret sauce here – live sports betting works in exactly the same way as standard wagering, except you’ll be placing bets when a match is already under way. Exciting stuff, right?
Since live betting sites accept bets placed when a game is running, you do need to be mindful of the live odds and markets available. These are subject to change based on the current state of play. They update in real time and everything happens quickly, so you’ll need to be sharp.
Think about it: the odds for the Maple Leafs to win a NHL game may be in their favour in the pre-match build up, but if they fall behind in the early stages of the game, this could be a good opportunity to wager on the underdogs with a live, in-play bet.
What are the pros and cons of live betting?
Before we go any further, let’s take a second to highlight the benefits and downsides of live sports betting. That way you can decide if it’s a priority for you before we delve further into the nitty-gritty of what in-play wagering is all about.
Live Betting: Pros & Con
- Place bets during live play
- Get the best odds based on the current state of play
- Redeem sportsbook bonuses with in-play bets
- Never miss a chance to bet on your favourite teams
- Choose from a large number of sports, including hockey, football, soccer, and many more
- In-play betting can lead to poor, ill-considered wagers
What sports do the
best live betting sites
cover?
Generally speaking, I’ve found that there are very few restrictions on the types of sports you can place in-play bets on through the
top 10 Canada betting apps
and sites. So long as a sportsbook accepts in-play bets and covers the sports you’re into, you should technically be able to place wagers during live play.
When testing Canada’s top live betting sites, I found most of the nation’s favourite sports covered, including:
| Top 10 sports to place live bets on in Canada |
| #1 | Hockey |
| #2 | Football |
| #3 | Soccer |
| #4 | Golf |
| #5 | Baseball |
| #6 | Basketball |
| #7 | UFC |
| #8 | Cricket |
| #9 | Tennis |
| #10 | Esports |
That’s not an exhaustive list by any stretch, but I think it demonstrates just how expansive Canada’s live betting ecosystem is. And with a sporting calendar that’s chock-a-block with fixtures and events all year round, there are always new live wagers available.
Bookies we recommend
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
How to place a live sports bet in Canada
If you’re completely new to live betting and sportsbooks in general, I’ve got you covered with a no-nonsense, step-by-step guide on how these unique wagers work. Granted, it’s not rocket science by any means, but a quick primer should keep you on the straight and narrow and ensure you never miss a chance to place a quality live sports pick.
Step 1: Find a sportsbook that offers live betting
If you’re yet to join a sportsbook in Canada or your current vendor doesn’t offer in-play bets, your first task will be to sign up with a new sportsbook. There are several things to consider when finding a reliable and reputable bookie in Canada, including:
- Do they offer live betting?
- Are they licensed in your province?
- What sports do they offer?
- Do they offer live streaming?
- Is there a welcome bonus?
I’ve hand-selected some of my favourite live betting sites in Canada and added them to the banners on this page, so be sure to check them out.
Step 2: Register with your preferred Canadian bookmaker
Once you’ve landed on the betting site you like, you’ll need to register to create a new account. This shouldn’t take too long and I find that most modern sportsbooks make this as quick and streamlined as possible. Do bear in mind, though, that you’ll most likely need to pass verification checks before you can make your first sportsbook deposit; this involves submitting evidence of your ID and permanent full-time address.
Tip:
When registering for a new bookmaker, pay attention to promo code submission boxes. A bonus code may be required to claim a brand’s sign-up deal, so be sure to drop this in when prompted to do so to benefit from the rewards on offer.
Step 3: Make your first deposit
All signed up and verified? Then it’s time to deposit some funds into your new sportsbook account so that you can start betting.
Canadian sports bettors can choose from a wide selection of different deposit payment methods when
betting on NBA
and other sports. Whether you choose to pay via credit/debit card, e-wallet or cryptocurrency, you can expect the funds to land in your account within a couple of minutes on average.
Step 4: Choose your best
live betting
odds
To access live betting odds, simply navigate to the sport you’re looking to bet on and any current, in-play games should be displayed at the top of the screen, along with the live odds and betting markets. Make your selection and proceed to the next screen to finalise your wager.
Tip:
Most Canadian bookies allow you to “favourite” different sports and teams, which will then be displayed at the top of the screen each time you sign into your account or access the app. This is a great way to quickly access the latest live bets and odds so that you don’t miss out on the best deals.
Step 5: Finalise your selections as quickly as possible
When it comes to live betting in Canada, speed is everything. The momentum of a game can shift in the blink of an eye, and so too can the choice of odds and in-play bets available.
As such, you need to be assertive and decisive with your selections or face watching them disappear before your very eyes. This is no mean feat on
high stakes betting sites, but it’s the only approach available to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Lock in and finalise those wagers as quickly as possible to get the best odds at prime milestones in the game. And remember, the
best live streaming betting sites
usually let you follow all the action live directly from your bookmaker’s website or app – perfect if you’re short on places to watch a game unfold.
My verdict on
live betting sites
in Canada
Whether you’re looking for a new way to back your favourite teams or you simply forgot to place a moneyline bet before a match started – live sport betting is an invaluable feature that I for one wouldn’t be without. Having the ability to not only place in-play bets but to stream sporting action live is, in my opinion, a must-have feature of any good sportsbook, so if you agree, be sure to add this to your sportsbook wishlist.
And don’t forget that if you’re in the market for a new bookmaker that accepts live, in-play bets, I’ve featured some of Canada’s best in the banners on this page. Take a look and enjoy a special welcome bonus when you register for a new account.
Don’t miss out on these top betting bonuses
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Live betting
FAQs
⚖️ Is live betting legal in Canada?
100%, live betting is totally legal in Canada and some of the country’s best bookmakers accept in-play bets. Before you start wagering, however, make sure that a brand is legal in your jurisdiction.
💰 Can you claim sportsbook bonuses when placing live bets?
Sure you can! As mentioned, live sports betting is the same as any other type of sportsbook wager, so you can enjoy the same bonuses and rewards when placing in-play bets.
⚡ Can I live-stream games when placing in-play bets in Canada?
Sometimes, yes, although this will depend on the bookmaker in question. Some betting sites offer free live streaming on sports and fixtures, which is one of the great perks of placing in-play sports bets.
