Sports Betting Canada

Before 2021, Canadians could only legally bet on sports through parlay-style wagers at provincial lottery terminals. Single-event betting — wagering on the outcome of one game — was prohibited. That changed on August 27, 2021, when Bill C-218 received Royal Assent, amending the Criminal Code to allow provinces to regulate single-event sports wagering. [S1]

Each province controls its own framework. Ontario moved first, launching a fully competitive regulated market on April 4, 2022, operated jointly by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and its subsidiary, iGaming Ontario (iGO). As of March 2026, the iGaming Ontario directory lists 44 regulated operators and 76 gaming websites. [S2]

Alberta is following with its own licensed market in 2026, regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). Other provinces, including British Columbia, continue to operate single-operator provincial models.

Not all offshore or grey-market sportsbooks are safe to use. A licensed operator provides legal recourse if disputes arise, keeps your funds in segregated accounts, and must comply with responsible gambling standards set by the regulator. [S3]

For a deeper look at vetting sportsbooks, read our guide on spotting unlicensed operators. For payment guidance, see our Interac betting guide.

Canadian sportsbooks typically display odds in American (moneyline) format. A negative number shows how much you must wager to win $100; a positive number shows how much a $100 wager returns in profit.

For a full breakdown of odds formats including decimal and fractional odds, see our Canadian betting odds guide.