What are the pros and cons of
NHL betting online?
- Tons of betting platforms to pick from
- Sensational odds are commonplace
- Many brands offer NHL bonuses
- Some also have 24/7 support
- It ain’t legal everywhere
NHL betting in Canada
– is it legal?
Sports betting laws in Canada are a bit like a box of chocolates – depending on your province, you don’t quite know what you’re gonna get. Unless you’re reading my NHL betting guide right here, that is – because I’m about to bare all.
Basically, way back in the mid-1980s, pretty much all Canadians had access to legal sports betting on NHL, NBA, and a ton of other sports. But fast-forward to modern times, and 2021’s Bill C-218 has thrown a bit of spanner into the works.
How? Well, post-C-218, every individual Canadian province can pick its own rules in regards to iGaming – and many of them have apparently done so out of a hat, because there are wild differences from place to place.
“Single game sports betting” – which is what most NHL betting sites offer in Canada – is generally deemed “legal” in:
- Ontario.
- Quebec.
- British Columbia.
- Alberta.
- Sasketcehwan.
- Manitoba.
- New Brunswick.
- Newfoundland and Labrador.
Having said that, though, virtually all regions only permit residents to play at NHL betting sites that are regulated locally by the likes of say, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, or the Alberta Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Organization.
Elsewhere, you might even be limited solely to sites that are actually run and managed by the regulators themselves. Naturally, this means some Canucks have more choice than others.
So… what’s the
best NHL betting site in Canada
overall?
Well, for the weird and wonderful reasons stated above, it’s nigh on impossible for me to give a catch-all answer to that one.
Basically, the best NHL betting sites out there are dramatically different from one province to the next, as the likes of you and I can of course only bet with locally-regulated (or run) brands.
But don’t start thinking you’ll need to get a shovel and start digging around the internet to locate the best sites for, say, BC or Quebec right now, because I’ve done the legwork for you already – big time.
Assuming you’re visiting this page without a VPN enabled, you’ll find targeted banners for the best NHL betting sites in your area displayed right here. And have a guess what? Each and every one of these offers:
- The right licence for your region.
- A bunch of competitive NHL odds.
- NHL-friendly bonus offers.
- Rewards for longer-term bettors.
Some essential features the
best NHL betting sites
should always have
Once you’re properly acquainted with the betting rules for your province, pinning down the best betting sites is simple. It’s a lot easier than, say securing tickets to an actual NHL game, anyway – that’s for sure.
Of course, you can find the best online NHL betting sites for your area in my lists and banners here. Or, alternatively, you can get your skates on and go shopping around elsewhere. Though if you do, you’d better keep your eyes peeled for these must-have features:
| Essential feature | Why the best NHL sites should offer it |
| A provincial license | I feel like we’ve been here before… It’s the law, yeah? |
| Access to a broad and balanced range of leagues | NHL is a blast, but it ain’t the be all and end all. If you’re a real hockey fan, make sure any betting sites in your line of sight offer odds on the US’ National Hockey League, the England Hockey League, and more. |
| Fair and fantastic odds | I wouldn’t look twice at a site offering sucky numbers, and neither should you. My advice? Pit NHL odds from upcoming games against each other to see which bookie comes out on in pole position. |
| Top-notch customer support | I hate to say it, but betting sites can sometimes get a little fiddly. So of course, it pays to have easy, 24/7 access to support staff who can lend a helping hand sometimes. |
| NHL live-streams | Because who wouldn’t want to bet and watch at the same time, eh? |
Our bookmakers of choice
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+
A few
NHL betting
strategies worth a whirl
Features-wise, what you ought to look for in a top NHL site is identical to what all good
NFL betting sites
or soccer bookmakers should offer – the right license, fair odds, decent support and what not.
But when it comes to betting strategy, all sports of course differ. And I’m a firm believer that variety is the spice of life, so I always advise my NHL buddies to try on several different NHL betting strategies for size. Some of my own personal favorites, include:
NHL gets mad coverage in Canada, and simply keeping up-to-speed with the goings on of the day can be great for influencing your overall betting approach at NHL betting sites. At my end, I religiously follow:
- NHL news.
- Commentators’ podcasts.
- NHL YouTube Channels.
- The latest games and scores.
I’m a bit of a nerd to be honest; I like to crunch numbers, create spreadsheets and try to second-guess potential outcomes before I place my bets. You don’t have to go calculator-crazy like yours truly, but being in-the-know can definitely up the fun – and put you in a better-informed position for NHL betting more generally. Here’s to data and analytics, yeah…
Bet in real-time – and preferably mid-stream
Many of the NHL-friendly bookmakers you’ll find yourselves face-to-face with when perusing my banners double-up as
live betting sites. Now, what this means in a nutshell is that they offer:
- Live and in-play betting.
- Real-time customizable betting slips.
- Live streams of prominent NHL games.
For me, the above features wholeheartedly transform everyday NHL betting sites into sort of immersive, live betting paradises – and I’d definitely recommend pulling out a sun lounger if you haven’t basked in the bliss of such features before.
Real-time betting and live streaming are, quite frankly, sensational, because they offer-up the opportunity to:
- Bet midway through games.
- Get right up close with the action.
- Change your strategy last-minute.
And who wouldn’t want to enjoy all that? Safely and responsibly, of course…
How can you spot whether NHL betting sites are reliable and trustworthy?
Well… to level with you guys, the simple answer would just be to find your betting sites using my banners – because all the brands mentioned here have already been put under the microscope by yours truly, and I genuinely have scrutinized their licensing, encryption and security credentials science lab-style.
New sport betting sites in Canada
are cropping up every other week, though, and it’s important to think twice if ever a new bookie catches your eye with, say, a generous free NHL bet bonus or some sickly-sweet odds.
For your own safety – and to ensure you’re on the right side of the law, of course – make it a habit to double-check any such sites offer the following before donning your bucket and hitting the biscuit with your first NHL bet:
- A license from your local regulator.
- SSL encryption and 2FA.
- Squeaky-clean TrustPilot reviews.
- A comprehensive responsible gambling page.
The big wrap-up – use my banners to lock-down dependable
NHL betting sites
now
Once upon a time, I had a rather unfriendly run-in with an unlicensed betting operator, and you know what? I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone. So yeah… if you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this – betting with licensed, SSL-secure brands is a must. And actually, it’s the very reason I work so hard to shortlist the best NHL betting sites for Canadians here, there and everywhere.
The be all and end all is this: any brands you bet with need to be trusted and safe, but they also ought to offer great features that’ll keep you entertained for the long-haul. And for that reason, I’d also recommend keeping an eye-out for NHL-friendly bookies that offer:
- Exceptional odds.
- 24/7 support.
- NHL live-streaming and betting.
Many of the brands outlined in my banners pack in all three features, and more – so why not make them your first port of call on your next betting adventure?
Discover the sportsbook bonuses we recommend
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+
NHL betting
FAQ
My favorite bookmakers get pretty dynamic when it comes to NHL-friendly bonuses. You guys can expect to grab a hold of anything from free bet and bet insurance promotions, to two-in-one sports and casino offers. Find out how these all work, and how to claim them, with my expert guides today.
🔎 How do I register a new account with NHL betting sites?
Getting started with a new bookmaker is a real cinch. There’s a pretty standardized five-step sign-up process most NHL bookies tend to roll with. It basically just involves entering a few personal details, verifying yourself via email or SMS and depositing some online betting funds using a trusted payment method. My guide here walks you through everything you need to know.
❓ Which NHL betting strategy is best?
To be honest, there are a lot to choose from, but I’m one of those annoying mathematically-minded people, so I’m a big fan of collating game data, watching interviews, following NHL news and developments and adapting my approach as I go. Of course, perhaps parlays, handicaps or even live betting will be more to your tastes – in which case you might want to check out some of my iGaming guides on these types of strategies now.
