Before you bet: a brief legal history of
single game betting in Canada
Way, way back in the good ol’ days (I’m talking the mid-1980s here), Canadians far and wide enjoyed legal sports betting with pretty much no barriers whatsoever. But you see, when it comes to gambling, countries are quick to throw regulatory spanners into the works – and that’s exactly what’s happened in Canada over the years.
Fast-forward a few decades to 2021 though, and there’s good news: most Canadians can now legally bet online. Why? Well, 2021 was when the federal Canadian government unveiled Bill C-218 – and believe me, it was a game-changer. Now, I’ve labelled this a “brief” history, so I won’t bore you to tears here, but basically, this Bill
- Changed the face of iGaming
- Gave Canadian provinces the right to set their own rules regarding “single game sports betting”
In a sense, it was a step to regulate the market and encourage Canucks to start betting with home-grown
high stakes sports betting sites
as opposed to offshore providers that might not always be trustworthy – and it worked.
Today, there are a ton of top-notch betting brands out there that are either:
- Based in Canada, or;
- Licensed and regulated locally
And that second point is super-important – because as of now, single game sports betting in Canada is only permitted in most provinces if the brand you’re placing your bets with holds a recognized license with your local regulatory body. But don’t worry, because I’m going to explain exactly how you can ensure you never fall foul of this rule.
Single game sports betting in Canada
– what does it even mean?
As I said in my introduction already, in Canada, “single game betting” just means placing one, single bet on one outcome of one sports event.
The phrase first reared its ugly head when Bill C-218 first dropped in August 2021. As we’ve seen, this granted Canada’s ten provinces and three territories the right to set-up their own regulators and decide their own rules in relation to Canucks being able to bet on sports online – something which nowadays is in full-swing in most provinces, though some have been faster to support legal betting options than others.
In a nutshell, though, it doesn’t matter whether you’re enjoying a spot of
horse racing betting
or backing your favorite NBA player for a slam dunk – so long as you’re only putting down one bet on one individual event, and on one outcome, it’s gonna come under the remit of single game betting. An activity which is now regulated in:
- Ontario
- Quebec
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
Though if you’re based in the Yukon, or the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, I’m sorry to say you guys can only enjoy “retail” (i.e. “in-person”) betting for the time being. Dang.
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What pros and cons of
single game sports betting in Canada
should you be aware of?
- Worthwhile sites are plentiful
- Tons of sports markets are available
- Casino games are sometimes up-for-grabs
- Sports betting bonuses are also common
- Provincial laws can be confusing
How can you tell whether sites advertising
single game sports betting in Canada
are legit?
I’ve found that a general rule of thumb goes something like this: any brand you’re considering betting with ought to offer:
- An iGaming license from your local regulator
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- SSL encryption
- Responsible gambling tools and services
But depending on where you live, I’d definitely make a point of reading up on iGaming laws at a local level – as some provinces are way, way stricter about single game sports betting in Canada than others.
In both BC and Manitoba, for example, it’s not enough to simply bet with a bookie licensed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), or the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MLLC). Oh no – that’d be too simple, wouldn’t it? Instead, you can only bet at sites that are actually owned and run by these very regulators themselves.
Ontario, on the other hand, has gone all loosey-goosey – giving bettors like you and I free rein to enjoy NHL, soccer, and
golf betting sites
galore just so long as they’re licensed by the province’s all-important Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Which is ace.
But “hang on”… I can hear you thinking. “What are the best sites where I live?” Well, allow me to show you…
Which websites offer
single game sports betting in Canada
in your province?
As you can see, the fact that individual provinces set their own iGaming rules these days means that from Montreal to Vancouver, and anywhere else that offers regulated betting in between, the sportsbook options up-for-grabs are wildly different.
Fortunately, you won’t need to venture too far into the sticks to find what you’re looking for, because on this page, I’ve shortlisted the best single game sports betting options for your province – and they’re all sites I’ve tested, vetted and reviewed meticulously to ensure they’re:
- Licensed and regulated locally to you
- Fair and competitive, odds-wise
- Packed full of awesome betting features
If you’re feeling ready to dive right in, be my guest – go on right ahead and get better acquainted with everything these betting brands have to offer right now. Or shop around elsewhere, maybe? The decision’s yours.
What I will say, though, is before you start dabbling with any kind of single game betting in Canada, it’s vital you get to grips with the tell-tale signs of what makes the best betting sites tick first. Because let’s face it, you don’t want to sign-up with a dud now, do you?
Get more out of
single-game sports betting in Canada
by looking-out for sites with these killer features
Some sports betting sites are a blast, others are a bit of a bummer. Fact of life of iGaming, I’m afraid.
Of course, all the sites I’ve shortlisted for single game sports betting in Canada in the banners you’ll encounter throughout this guide fall into the former category – you can count on it. But whenever you go looking elsewhere, I’d say you should always keep the following in the back of your mind always.
| What to consider… | Why… |
| Odds ought to be fair and competitive. | Odds can really make or break a betting site. The good news? As you’ll have plenty of choice in most provinces, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding fair ones. |
| Responsible gambling tools should be readily available. | You never know when you might need a helping hand – so make sure there’s always one an easy reach away. |
| Bonuses can be a blast. | I for one love free bets, and I’m guessing you do to? Yeah… that’s why you want a bookie that’s gonna give you some. |
| The more markets, the better. | You might be limited to only being able to drop single bets in some provinces, but the world’s your oyster when it comes to markets you can bet on. So, lock down a brand that offers access to a bunch of ‘em. |
| Casino games are an added perk. | Many bookmakers double-up as online casinos – which of course means double the fun. In provinces where such Vegas-style games are permitted, that is… |
Start
single game sports betting in Canada
today – but do it sensibly and with the right site
I promised a no-nonsense guide to single game sports betting in Canada, and I’d say I delivered, right? To recap, then, single game betting simply involves putting down single bets on individual sports games or events – and it’s the kind of iGaming that appears to be most widely accessible across Canada right now.
As such, most of you Canucks have a fair few options to choose from when it comes to trusted betting sites – though local laws are always gonna apply. So, what should you do if you want to get involved legally and safely?
Well, it’s easy enough to be fair – keep your eyes peeled for sites with a local license, always bet responsibly with brands that offer access to support resources if ever you need them, and try to pin down a site that offers ample markets and generous bonuses. The easiest way to do that? Go take a look at my banners, then feel free to thank me later.
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Single game sports betting in Canada
FAQ
❓ Is online sports betting legal in Canada?
Well… it’s complicated. To cut a long story short, a landmark Bill passed in 2021 granted each Canadian province the right to regulate their own online betting market. Some did, some didn’t, and today, most Canadians can only bet with sportsbooks that hold a provincial license. Find out more with my latest guide…
🤔 Where can I legally enjoy single game sports betting in Canada?
Up in the Great White North, very localized laws apply to iGaming, though most provinces and territories permit “single game sports betting” of some way, shape or form – including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and more. Discover top betting sites in these regions and others with my expert bookmaker comparisons today.
💲 How do I bet on a single game?
It’s simple stuff, really. You pick a sport, make a bet selection and bet away. Though of course, you do need to take great care to ensure you’re betting with a fair and trusted bookmaker beforehand. Here’s how to spot one…
