Single-game betting is wagering on the outcome of one sporting event — a single game, match, or fight — rather than a multi-event parlay. Canada legalized single-game sports betting federally in August 2021 via Bill C-218, ending a decades-old parlay-only restriction.
Also known as: single-event wagering
Before Bill C-218, Canadians could only legally bet on sports through provincial lotteries (PROLINE, Mise-o-jeu) and only as parlays of two or more events — a deliberately worse product than the offshore black market offered.
Today, AGCO-registered Ontario operators, AGLC PlayAlberta, and provincial lottery sportsbooks all offer single-game bets on NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, UFC, and major international leagues.
Single-game betting is the foundation for live (in-play) wagering, prop bets, and futures — none of which work cleanly as parlays. Its legalization is what made Canadian sportsbook brands like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel viable here.