Sports fans across Canada were celebrating in 2021 as the government passed a bill to allow sing-event game betting. Previously, sports betting had been allowed, but only if the bet was placed as a parlay. Since the law changed, provinces have been able to introduce their own regulations, leading to legal and safe sports betting.
Now that more provinces across Canada are changing the laws to introduce legal sports betting, more people than ever want to start betting. Sports betting can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a sports fan, but it’s important to know how to get started. While you do have the potential to win money through sports betting, you can just as easily lose money too. For that reason, you should take care to understand how to bet and what your options are. In this guide, you can find out all the things you need to know to get started.
Choosing a Sportsbook
The sportsbooks that are available to you will depend on where you’re located. Some provinces have more options than others, and some still have strict laws against betting. If you’re in a province that has allowed sports betting, you’ll be able to choose from one of the licensed sportsbooks. These include both commercial sites such as BetMGM sportsbook Ontario and state-run options such as Proline Plus.
Alternatively, you can also sign up to use an offshore sports betting site. While these aren’t regulated and legal, signing up and betting at an offshore site doesn’t place you at risk of prosecution. When choosing a sportsbook, always make sure it’s safe and licensed. Reputable sportsbooks will have a license from a gambling authority such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission. The license shows that the site is safe and your money is protected.
Signing Up
When you’ve picked a good sportsbook that you’re sure is safe and offers good odds, it’s time to sign up. This process is actually very straightforward and simple. All you need to do is enter your personal details and contact information. Make sure this is all correct, as you’ll usually need to verify it later on when it comes to making withdrawals.
After creating your account, you’ll also need to add funds to bet with. Most Canadian sportsbooks and betting sites that accept Canadian players will offer suitable payment methods such as Interac and Instadebit. Popular options such as PayPal, bank transfer, and Neteller are usually also included.
Placing Your Bets
Once you have funds in your account, you’ll be ready to start betting. You can find a list of all upcoming and live bets on the front page, and you’ll be able to search through different sports categories too. Most Canadian sportsbooks offer odds on all the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, and MLS. You can also find sports from around the world and even eSports competitions. Choose an event, select the bet and then enter your stake in the betslip to place your bet.
