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James Wright
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The NBA is the biggest and best basketball league in the world. While already exceptionally exciting, NBA betting can add even more fun to the mix. Huge numbers of Canadian gamblers bet on every NBA game, hoping their NBA betting picks lead to them scooping big payouts.

In this extensive NBA betting guide, we’ll deep dive into the best NBA betting sites, how to get the biggest bonuses, and everything else you need to know about NBA betting.

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Contents

List of the Best NBA Betting Sites for 2024

You’ll find plenty of great sportsbooks for NBA betting, but which are the best? We’ve listed the top sportsbooks in Canada for you below.

  1. Bodog – Best site for NBA betting in Canada
  2. Stake.com – Huge selection of NBA betting markets
  3. BetOnline – The best sportsbook for crypto users
  4. XBet – Great NBA betting odds available
  5. MyBookie – Fantastic platform for live betting
  6. Everygame – Impressive selection of bonuses offered
  7. BetNow – Superb choice for fans of NBA parlays
  8. BUSR – Superb range of NBA futures bets
  9. Sportsbetting.ag – Top choice for NBA draft betting
  10. PowBet – Best for regular NBA tournaments

Reviews of the Best NBA Sportsbooks

You’ve seen our quick list of the best NBA betting sites in Canada, so let’s now delve a little deeper and show you why each sportsbook has been included.

1. Bodog – The Best Site for NBA Betting in Canada

Bodog NBA Betting

Our number one place to bet on the NBA is Bodog, unless you’re betting in Quebec, where Bodog is unavailable – we’d recommend Quebecois head to Stake.com instead. There are many reasons for Bodog being at the top of the tree, but the biggest are the great selection of NBA betting options they offer and the fantastic odds usually available.

You’ll find many other reasons to bet at Bodog, including the superb array of bonuses on offer, which includes an impressive welcome bonus. There are also bonuses specifically for Bitcoin users. You’ll find a great betting experience, regardless of whether you bet using a desktop or a mobile device, although like the other sites on this list, there’s no mobile app to download.

Pros:

  • Canada’s best NBA betting site
  • Tremendously good coverage of NBA
  • Odds often above the industry average
  • Impressive welcome bonus offered
  • Bonuses specifically for Bitcoin users

Cons:

  • No mobile app for NBA betting
  • Small selection of depositing options

2. Stake.com – Huge selection of NBA Betting Markets for Canadian Bettors

Stake.com NBA Betting

If you’re looking for a huge selection of online NBA betting markets, make your way straight to Stake.com. Their coverage of the NBA is out of this world, and this is the case for both pre-game and live betting. You’ll find all the standard bet types offered for each game, along with props and futures. What’s more, odds are generally fair for all NBA bets.

But why else do we rate Stake.com so highly? Well, the desktop and mobile websites both look stunning, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your betting experience, plus you’ll also find some nice bonuses, although disappointingly there’s no welcome bonus for new players. Crypto users will particularly like Stake.com, as several cryptocurrencies are accepted.

Pros:

  • Great range of NBA betting options
  • Most NBA bets have competitive odds
  • Attractive desktop and mobile websites
  • Several nice bonuses and promotions
  • Several cryptocurrencies accepted

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on NBA
  • No welcome bonus available

3. BetOnline – The Best Sportsbook for Canadian Crypto Users

BetOnline NBA Betting

BetOnline accepts a huge range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. In fact, you’ll be able to use 18 different cryptos at the site, making it the perfect spot for most crypto users. What’s more, it also offers crypto-only bonuses, further increasing their appeal to cryptocurrency users.

There are many other reasons to choose BetOnline for NBA betting, including the fantastic coverage of the league they offer, with markets on every game. Even if there’s no NBA available, you’ll almost certainly find other basketball betting opportunities from around the world. BetOnline also has a top live betting platform, plus betting contests are run regularly.

Pros:

  • Many cryptocurrencies accepted
  • Crypto-only bonuses available
  • Fantastic NBA coverage
  • Exceptional live betting platform
  • Betting contests run regularly

Cons:

  • No mobile app for NBA betting
  • Occasional reports of confiscated winnings

4. XBet – Great NBA Betting Odds Available

XBet NBA Betting

Most people bet primarily to make money, and this means high odds are a must. All online NBA betting sites we recommend have high odds, but XBet consistently tops the pile, offering superb odds on both pre-game and live NBA betting. What’s more, it’s easy to withdraw from XBet, meaning you can get your hands on your winnings quickly and without hassle.

It’s not just great odds that makes XBet stand out. They also cover the NBA in great detail, as you’d expect from a major sportsbook, plus they have a live betting platform that’s easy to use and reacts quickly to developments in games. They also have some nice bonuses. On the downside, there could be more depositing options available.

Pros:

  • Great odds usually available for NBA betting
  • Easy to withdraw winnings quickly
  • Strong NBA coverage
  • Intuitive and reactive live betting platform
  • Some decent bonuses and promotions

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on NBA
  • Not enough depositing options

5. MyBookie – Fantastic Platform for Live Betting

MyBookie NBA Betting

Live betting adds an extra dimension of excitement to every game and can turn watching even the dullest of encounters into an enjoyable experience. MyBookie has one of the best live betting platforms around. It’s really easy to use, even for rookie live bettors, plus the live platform consistently boasts fair odds.

Of course, pre-game betting on NBA is also available, and the odds are equally as fair. You’ll also find some decent bonuses waiting to be claimed at MyBookie, plus they run regular contests, which can have impressive prizes. The desktop and mobile sportsbooks look fantastic, which increases enjoyment levels when betting. The only real negative? More depositing options are needed.

Pros:

  • Live betting platform is simple to use
  • Fair odds offered on pre-game and live NBA betting
  • Several nice bonuses
  • Betting contests run regularly
  • Great looking desktop and mobile sportsbooks

Cons:

  • No mobile app for NBA betting
  • More depositing options are needed

6. Everygame – Impressive Selection of Bonuses Offered

Everygame NBA Betting

Are you the kind of gambler who loves bonuses? If so, you’ll find loads of sports betting bonuses over at Everygame. There’s everything from a top welcome bonus to prize giveaways, and the bonuses generally have fair terms and conditions. Unfortunately, there’s no loyalty scheme to complement the bonuses, which is something we’d like to see remedied.

If you like your sportsbooks to look simple, Everygame is a great choice, as it certainly doesn’t boast an extravagant design. While plain looking, its coverage of the NBA is fantastic, offering bets on all games, both pre-game and live. The mobile website is particularly well-designed, making it simple to bet from a mobile device.

Pros:

  • Several great bonuses and promotions
  • Bonuses usually have fair terms
  • Strong coverage of the NBA
  • Well-designed mobile website
  • Intuitive live betting platform

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on NBA
  • Some won’t like the plain design

7. BetNow – Superb Choice for Fans of NBA Parlays

BetNow NBA Betting

Parlays might not now be the only bet type available in Canada, but many still think that they’re the best. If you’re looking for a site that makes parlay betting easy, look no further than BetNow, which also offers some of the best parlay odds in the industry. High odds are also offered on most other types of NBA bets.

You’ll also find that BetNow has great coverage of the NBA. Every game is available for betting, plus each game has many bet types attached to it. You’ll be able to bet live on every game as well. What’s more, there are some decent bonuses and promotions. The biggest negative is the site’s boring design, which certainly won’t win any awards.

Pros:

  • Easily create NBA parlay bets
  • High odds usually offered
  • Strong NBA coverage
  • Large range of betting options for each game
  • Some nice bonuses and promotions

Cons:

  • No mobile app for NBA betting
  • Website has very boring design

8. BUSR – Superb Range of NBA Futures Bets

BUSR NBA Betting

 

Are you looking for a place with loads of NBA futures betting options? If so, make your way over to BUSR, where you’ll find all kinds of bets of this type, including betting on teams to make the playoffs and players to win individual awards. What’s more, they generally have fair odds – something that’s also offered elsewhere on the site, including on their live betting platform.

But why else should you opt for BUSR? Well, they cover NBA games exceptionally well, plus they also offer betting on other basketball leagues. They also have some tasty bonuses, plus betting at BUSR is exceptionally simple. As with many sites, there just aren’t enough depositing options – more need adding to ensure everyone can deposit and play there.

Pros:

  • Great selection of NBA futures bets
  • Fair odds offered on NBA betting
  • Comprehensive coverage of all NBA games
  • Several impressive bonuses
  • Website designed to make betting simple

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on NBA
  • Limited number of depositing options

9. SportsBetting.ag – Top Choice for NBA Draft Betting

Sportsbetting.ag NBA Betting

The NBA Draft is an exceptionally exciting day, and this excitement can be boosted further by betting on it. The best place for betting on the NBA Draft is Sportsbetting.ag, where they offer several betting options, as well as decent odds. In fact, Sportsbetting.ag offers impressive odds on all bet types, including live basketball betting.

Sportsbetting.ag also offers a nice array of bonuses, including an impressive welcome bonus and bonuses aimed at those depositing with cryptocurrency. The contests at the site are enjoyable and can have nice prizes, while the depositing options are varied. We don’t like the design of the site – it’s dated and could look cluttered to new gamblers.

Pros:

  • Nice selection of NBA Draft betting options
  • Impressive prices offered sitewide
  • Several decent bonuses
  • Enjoyable contests regularly held
  • Varied selection of depositing options

Cons:

  • No mobile app for NBA betting
  • Cluttered website looks very dated

10. PowBet – Betting Tournaments Regularly Available

PowBet NBA Betting

At most online sportsbooks you go up against the house, but there’s an exciting element at PowBet, as their free betting tournaments allow you to take on other players for the chance to win some impressive prizes. They also have contests, plus another layer of excitement is added to betting at PowBet by their weekly challenges.

You’ll also find that PowBet is an exceptionally good-looking sportsbook, as well as one that’s been designed intelligently, making navigation a breeze. You’ll have plenty of bonuses and promotions to claim, including a nice welcome bonus, plus the mobile sportsbook is exceptional and easy to use on all devices.

Pros:

  • Free tournaments often available
  • Weekly challenges add to the fun
  • Attractive and intuitive sportsbook
  • Several bonuses and promotions
  • Exceptional mobile betting site

Cons:

  • No mobile app for betting on NBA
  • Can’t withdraw large sums in one transaction

FAQs About NBA Betting

Can you bet on the NBA in Canada?

Where can I bet on the NBA?

What is the best NBA betting site?

How do you start betting on the NBA?

How does NBA betting work?

What is NBA public betting?

Comparing the Best NBA Betting Sites

All the offshore NBA betting sites we recommend are fantastic places to wager on basketball. To help you decide which to choose, check out the handy table below, which compares many key features.

Sportsbook Sign-Up Bonus Sports to Bet On Live Betting Live Streaming Betting App
Bodog 100% up to $400 + 50 free spins 31+
Stake.com None 33+
BetOnline 50% up to $1,000 25+
XBet 100% up to $500 + $10 casino chip 25+
MyBookie 100% up to $1,000 31+
Everygame 100% up to $750 20+
BetNow 100% up to $300 10+
BUSR 100% up to $1,000 + $25 free casino chips 26+
Sportsbetting.ag 50% up to $1,000 26+
PowBet 100% up to $150 31+

Are Offshore Betting Sites Legal?

There’s always been something of a grey area when it comes to offshore betting sites. We’re here to clear any confusion; offshore betting sites are not illegal in Canada. This means that you can access them, deposit at them, and place wagers, all without running the risk of getting into any sort of legal trouble.

The difference between offshore sites and so-called ‘legal’ sites is; legal sites are regulated from within Canada, while offshore sites are regulated abroad. Don’t let this concern you, as the offshore NBA betting sites we recommend are all incredibly well-regarded and will respond to customers quickly and fairly, despite often being regulated thousands of miles away.

Is NBA Betting Legal in Canada?

Betting on sport is legal throughout Canada, and this includes betting on the NBA. There are two ways to bet on sport in most provinces – via lottery-run sportsbooks and offshore sportsbooks. Both are legal, although offshore sportsbooks are not regulated from within Canada. There’s also a fully regulated sportsbook industry in Ontario, with other provinces expected to follow suit shortly.

It’s also legal to bet in-person in all provinces, although doing so isn’t always easy, or even possible. This is because most provinces only offer in-person betting in places like convenience stores, while some other provinces haven’t even rolled out in-person betting yet. This means it’s easier to stick to betting on the NBA using a desktop or mobile device.

In terms of the types of legal NBA betting in Canada, it’s now the case that wagers other than parlays can be placed. For many years, only parlay bets were allowed in Canada, but this rule was rescinded, opening up a huge selection of other betting options. This is the case for both online and in-person betting.

Advantages of Offshore Betting Sites

Are you unsure as to why you should pick offshore NBA betting sites over those regulated in Canada? If so, we’ve come up with five huge reasons to opt for offshore sportsbooks over their Canadian-regulated cousins.

  • Higher odds. Offshore sportsbooks have a huge amount of competition, so they need to offer high odds to stand out from the crowd. Legal sportsbooks have little to no competition, so their odds can remain low.
  • Lots of innovation. Competition also forces offshore sportsbooks to innovate and create a unique product, to make themselves visible in the packed market. Legal sites rarely innovate, as they don’t need to.
  • Several ways to deposit. The best offshore sports betting sites will offer many ways to deposit, which can include credit cards, Interac, and cryptocurrency. Legal sportsbooks generally have a more limited selection.
  • Extra bonuses. Sportsbooks know that bonuses are another great way to attract customers, so offshore sites use them in their battle with competitors. Legal sportsbooks have comparatively small bonuses, and sometimes no bonuses at all.
  • Greater selection of betting options. Offshore sportsbooks need to appeal to customers from around the world, so offer a huge range of sports. Legal sportsbooks are focused entirely on Canada, so only usually offer sports popular in Canada.

Our Criteria for Choosing a Top NBA Betting Site

We’ve worked hard to ensure we’ve only recommended the best online NBA betting sites on this page – sites that offer a superb betting experience to everyone. But what did we look at when reviewing sportsbooks?

Range of NBA Bets

We expect to see many types of NBA bets, including NBA betting lines on all encounters, as well as moneyline betting, totals betting, futures betting, prop betting, and more. Quite simply, the more betting options offered by a sportsbook, the higher we rated them.

Choice of NBA Events

We want to see every NBA game covered by a sportsbook, from the first game of the regular season, through the playoffs, to the NBA Finals. We also like to see betting on other basketball competitions offered, such as EuroLeague and college basketball.

Bonuses & Promotions

We want to see two things from a site’s bonuses and promotions. Firstly, we want them to be worth as much as possible. Secondly, they should have fair terms and conditions, including reasonable wagering requirements. We also like to see a site offering loyalty and VIP schemes.

Safety & Security

Every site we recommend is secure – if there’s even a hint it’s unsafe, we won’t recommend it to you. You’ll find that every site we recommend is a well-regarded name and uses SSL encryption to protect all transactions.

Payment Options

The more payment options offered by an online NBA betting site, the better. We want to see credit cards and e-wallets offered, plus all top Canadian sites should accept Interac. What’s more, the best sites accept several cryptocurrencies.

Customer Support

Customer support should be easy to contact using a variety of channels, including live chat, phone, and email. Replies should be both prompt and useful. We also like to see sites with strong FAQ and help sections, so customers can find out answers for themselves.

How to Sign Up and Bet on NBA

Signing up and betting on the NBA is exceptionally simple – just follow the easy step-by-step instructions below to place your first NBA bet at Bodog, our top site for NBA betting in Canada.

1. Head to Bodog

Firstly, make your way over to Bodog using your desktop or mobile browser. Then click on the ‘Join’ button to open the registration form.

Homepage at Bodog

2. Complete All Required Details

You now need to complete the registration form, answering all questions accurately. Once finished, you can submit the form. You now have a Bodog sports betting account.

Registration Form at Bodog

3. Make a Deposit

You’ll now need to head to the cashier and choose a depositing option, before then completing all details. Make sure you include any bonus code you might have. Once it’s filled in, submit the form. Most deposits are instant, but crypto deposits can take up to 10 minutes.

Depositing Options at Bodog

4. Select Your Bet

You should now look through the various NBA betting lines and markets to find one that looks appealing to you. Once you’ve found the bet you want to make, click it, which will add it to your betslip.

Sportsbook at Bodog

5. Choose How Much to Bet

Choose how much money to bet on your selection, before then submitting the bet. It’s now a case of sitting back and watching the game, in the hope your bet is a winning one. If it is a winner, the money will be paid into your sportsbook account automatically.

Betslip at Bodog

How NBA Betting Works

NBA betting works in the same way as other bet types. You’ll need to choose a bet that looks appealing, taking into consideration both the chances of it winning and the odds being offered. If you place the bet and it wins, you’ll receive a prize, which is determined by how much you wagered and the odds you received.

In Canada, odds are usually displayed in decimal format – which is great, as it’s the easiest of all formats to understand. To work out how much you’ll win if a bet is successful, multiply your bet amount by the odds. This will then show you your entire prize, including the return of your original stake.

So, for example, imagine you wagered $20 on the Hawks to beat the Bucks, at odds of 2.35. If you win, you’ll receive back $20 x 2.35, which is $47. Of this, $27 would be your winnings, and the remaining $20 would be your returned stake.

Single-Game NBA Betting Explained

For many years, the only permitted bet type in Canada was the parlay bet. As you can imagine, this severely restricted the betting options available to Canadians – unless you visited one of the many offshore sportsbooks, which offered single-game betting despite the ban on bets of this type.

Recently, this all changed, as single-game betting was legalised in Canada, meaning that it is possible to make individual bets, such as on a team to win a game or which player will win the MVP award.

Now, Canadians have the same betting opportunities as those in countries that previously had more liberal betting rules, such as the UK. Of course, those who gambled at offshore betting sites haven’t seen any change, as they’ve always had access to the full range of basketball betting options.

Popular Types of NBA Betting Markets

The best NBA betting sites will offer a huge range of different betting options, ensuring you can always find a bet that looks great to you. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the more popular NBA bets you’ll find at our recommended sportsbooks, using real examples from Bodog.

Moneyline Bets

This is the simplest of all bets. You’re just betting on which of the teams you think will win the game, without taking any spread into account. This is the best type of NBA bet to place if you’re completely new to betting online.

Team Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder 1.77
Detroit Pistons 12.10

Spread Betting

Spread betting challenges you to predict the winning team, but after a spread has been applied. This essentially means that one team is given a head start over the other, to even up the competition and make betting on one-sided contests more exciting.

Team Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder -2.0 1.91
Detroit Pistons +2.0 1.91

Totals

This bet type usually sees you trying to predict how many points will be scored in a game by both teams combined. It’s also sometimes possible to bet on individual team totals, as well as totals at halftime. A line is set, and you choose whether there will be over or under that total.

Total Points 226.0 Odds
Over 1.91
Under 1.91

Prop Bets

Prop bets are bets on anything that doesn’t relate directly to the game’s outcome. You’ll find all manner of prop bets available for most NBA games, and they can include betting on the player to score the first point and betting on which team will reach a total number of points first.

Player to Score First Points Odds
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.00
Cade Cunningham 6.00
Saddiq Bey 6.50
Bojan Bogdanovic 7.00
Jaden Ivey 8.00

Futures

Futures are bets that won’t be resolved for a reasonably long period of time. For example, you could be betting on the winner of the NBA Finals before the regular season has even started. They can offer great odds, but you must have patience when making bets of this type!

NBA Champions Odds
Milwaukee Bucks 6.50
Boston Celtics 7.00
Golden State Warriors 8.00
Los Angeles Clippers 8.00
Phoenix Suns 9.50

Parlays

Parlays are several bets all rolled into one. For the parlay to be a winner, all individual selections must win. Parlays often have impressive odds, but their odds of being winners are lower than single bets. Here’s an example of a basketball parlay:

  • Orlando Magic to beat Atlanta Hawks @ 2.90
  • Boston Celtics to beat New York Knicks @ 1.50
  • Golden State Warriors to beat Sacramento Kings @ 1.32

If you roll all these bets into a parlay, you get overall odds of 5.74. The odds are pretty high, but the chances of the bet being a winner are lower than if you just placed individual bets.

Live NBA Betting

Live betting is an exceptionally popular activity among Canadian gamblers. It allows you to bet on NBA games as they’re being played, reading the game and making your bets accordingly. Odds change quickly to reflect the state of the game and all bets listed above, aside from futures, can be placed live.

Live betting on the NBA is a fantastic way to boost the excitement of even the dullest of games, plus it offers real NBA experts the chance to use their skills in reading a game to make some money. Live betting is also offered on many other sports, including football, hockey, baseball, soccer, and tennis.

NBA Betting Strategies & Systems

Ignore what anyone tells you: there is no sure-fire way to guarantee you win money when betting on the NBA. That being said, there are some betting strategies you can use to boost your chances of winning, including those listed below.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is a vital aspect of any betting strategy. It controls the amount of money you can lose by placing limits on the amount you spend on betting in a session. It works like this: when betting, you should only risk around 5% of your total bankroll. If you lose this 5%, walk away and come back another time.

By using bankroll management, you’re ensuring you can only ever lose a maximum of 5% of your bankroll at any one time. What’s more, by placing many smaller bets, as opposed to one large bet, you’re giving luck the chance to level out. You’ll also benefit from not having to top up your betting account as often as you would if betting in a more reckless manner.

Betting Against the Public

Many people like to follow the crowd and bet like the public, but others prefer to go the other way, by betting against public opinion. There’s clear logic behind this: when the public overwhelmingly backs one team, their odds will fall, while the odds of their opponent will rise. This means that prices on the opponent are often artificially high, offering great value to bettors.

Betting against the public will see you losing many of your bets, but this isn’t a problem, providing your occasional wins are large enough to cover your losses. To use this betting strategy, you’ll need to watch the markets closely and identify when large shifts in prices occur.

Dutching

Dutching can be a particularly effective betting strategy, providing it is done correctly. It sees you placing multiple bets on the same market, such as betting on both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship, or on both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to score the first point in a game.

By making more than one bet, you’re spreading the risk, giving yourself a better chance of winning. For it to work, you must have a head for numbers, as there are some betting combinations that guarantee you’ll lose money, whatever the outcome.

Our Top 5 Tips for Betting on NBA

You’ll find scores of NBA betting tips online, all purporting to give you a boost when betting on basketball. Below, you’ll find five of the most effective NBA betting tips we’ve come across.

Follow Experts

Well-regarded experts know exactly what they’re talking about and are therefore people you should listen to. They often have the inside scoop on teams and players, so can give considerable guidance when you’re making your NBA betting picks. You’ll find experts at many sports news sites, plus there are plenty of great NBA experts found on YouTube and social media.

Consider Injuries

Injuries can play a huge role in how a game turns out. Clearly an injury to a big-name player before a game could affect the outcome, but you also need to be looking for smaller niggles, that could see a player lose 10% of their ability – which could be pivotal in determining the outcome of a game. Keep an eye out for injuries when betting live too.

Think About Scheduling

Scheduling is an often-overlooked aspect of the NBA. Unfavorable scheduling can lead to a significant drop in performance. For example, if one team must travel thousands of miles to play, they’re going to almost certainly suffer from some level of fatigue. Also think about when the teams last played – has one team had longer to recover than the other?

Shop Around for Odds

One of the most important things to do when betting on the NBA is to shop around for odds. You should never accept the first NBA betting odds you find, and instead should look elsewhere to see if better odds exist. The higher the NBA betting odds you receive, the more money you’ll win if your bet is a winner.

Understand All Bet Types

The last of our NBA betting tips is to ensure you’re comfortable with all types of NBA bet types. Don’t just stick to moneyline betting, but instead become familiar with NBA betting lines, parlays, totals betting, prop betting, and more. The more NBA bet types you understand, the better placed you’ll be to find the bets with the best odds.

Biggest NBA Events to Bet On

You’ll find that the NBA can be broken down into three segments: the regular season, the playoffs, and the season-ending NBA Finals. Find out about all three below.

Regular Season

The regular NBA season makes up the bulk of NBA action in a year. It starts in mid-October and runs until April. Each team plays 82 games over the course of the regular season, meaning that there’s plenty of opportunity to bet on basketball. During the regular season, teams are split into two conferences, which are further split into three divisions each.

NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs start after the end of the regular season. They’re contested by 16 teams – the top eight from each of the two conferences. Teams are seeded, with higher seeds taking on lower seeds. There are three rounds to the NBA Playoffs, with each encounter having a best-of-seven format. The winners of each conference progress to play in the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals

The NBA Finals take place in early June and are contested between the winners of each conference. Like the ties in the NBA Playoffs, the finals are a best-of-seven, with the first team to win four games being declared the champions.

Canadian NBA Teams to Bet On

There’s only one Canadian NBA team – the Toronto Raptors. Let’s take a look at this popular Canadian basketball team below.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are a member of the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. They play at the Scotiabank Arena and have been in the NBA since 1995. They’ve won their division seven times, their conference once, and the NBA Finals once, when they beat Golden State Warriors in 2019.

Bonuses for NBA Betting Online

Bonuses play a huge role in the world of online betting, and you’ll be able to find plenty of bonus types at the best NBA betting sites. You can learn about some of the most popular types of betting bonuses and promotions below.

Matched Deposit Sign Up Bonuses

Matched deposit sign up bonuses are bonuses given to those depositing for the first time at a sportsbook. They add a specific percentage to the first deposit. For example, if you deposit $20 and get a 150% bonus, you’d receive an extra $30 to gamble with. This nearly always comes in the form of bonus money and not real cash. These are usually the largest bonuses found at betting sites.

No Deposit Bonus

As the name suggests, no deposit bonuses are given without you ever needing to deposit. They’re often given immediately after signing up, although they can be given to existing members too. They’re generally quite small and have strict terms and conditions. This is to make it tough for you to withdraw winnings earned using bonus money.

Free Bets

Free bets are almost identical to no deposit bonuses, except free bets must be used to place one bet – no deposit bonuses can usually be split into several smaller bets. A free bet might have to be used on a specific event, such as on the FIFA World Cup. Like no deposit bonuses, they usually have high wagering requirements.

Bitcoin & Crypto Bonuses

Cryptocurrency, and particularly Bitcoin, is very popular with Canadian gamblers, plus sportsbooks love their players using it too, as they must pay barely any fees for accepting crypto deposits. This is why they regularly offer bonuses specifically for crypto users. These bonuses are usually deposit bonuses and can be worth thousands of dollars.

Reload or Top-Up Bonuses

Reload bonuses, which can also be called top-up bonuses, are deposit match bonuses for existing players. They can usually be claimed multiple times and add an extra percentage onto deposits. They’re usually smaller than match deposit sign up bonuses, typically adding around 50% to a deposit.

Risk-Free Bets

Many sportsbooks offer risk-free bets. These are bets that see you gaining a free bet if your real money bet isn’t a winner. If your real money bet does win, you don’t receive the free bet. This essentially means that your initial real money bet can’t lose. Risk-free bets generally have a limit to how much they can be worth.

The Best Payment Methods for NBA Betting

The best online basketball betting sites offer a range of ways to make deposits, ensuring everyone can add funds to their accounts easily. Below, we’ve explained the three main types of payment methods you’ll find at online NBA betting sites.

Crypto Betting Options

Cryptocurrency is gaining more and more popularity among Canadian gamblers. You’ll find many crypto types accepted at gambling sites, but some of the more popular names include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Tether. Crypto is safe to use, has minimal transaction fees, and is far easier to deposit with than many people imagine.

There is one big negative to using cryptocurrency, and it’s the inherent risk that comes with investing in crypto. The price of crypto can rise and fall dramatically, meaning that $100 of crypto could be worth far less in just a few days. Of course, the opposite could also be true, with the value rising considerably instead.

eWallet Betting Options

eWallets are another popular choice among gamblers at NBA betting sites. The most popular of all eWallets is PayPal, but Neteller and Skrill are also both often accepted – although not as widely as a few years ago. eWallets act as a middleman in transactions – money is sent to the eWallets, before being sent to the gambling site.

The way eWallets work ensures that they’re very safe, as gambling sites never see your banking details. eWallets usually offer instant payments, plus they’re convenient, as many already have an eWallet account they can use. The big downside? eWallets charge reasonably significant fees for making transactions.

Traditional Payment Methods

Traditional payment methods are credit and debit cards, plus in Canada, Interac must also be included. Credit and debit cards are accepted at nearly all Canadian NBA betting sites, and Interac is also very commonly accepted. The fact that most people already have a bank account and Interac account makes these payment methods exceptionally convenient.

You’ll find that these payment methods all offer instant deposits, plus credit and debit card companies don’t usually charge any fees. The fees attached to Interac deposits are very low when compared to eWallets. Many people are concerned about entering their credit or debit card details online. If this is the case with you, opt for Interac instead.

NBA Apps & Mobile Betting

Mobile NBA betting is now exceptionally popular and all sites on our list offer mobile-optimised sportsbooks to their customers. These sites adapt to fit various sized mobile screens perfectly, plus can be controlled using a touchscreen. To use them, just tap their URL into your mobile browser and wait for the site to load.

You’ll also find that many like to place their bets using a mobile app. These offer one-click access to online sportsbooks, making them exceptionally convenient. But many people opt not to use them, as they don’t want to download the app onto their device. None of the NBA betting sites we recommend on this page offer betting apps to their customers.

2022 NBA Schedule

Looking to find out the major dates in the 2022 NBA calendar, so you can plan your betting accordingly? If so, we’ve summarised them in the handy table below.

Date Event Venue Location
April 12 – April 15 NBA Play-in Tournament Various Various
April 16 – May 29 NBA Playoffs Various Various
June 12 – June 16 NBA Finals Various Various
October 19 – April 9 NBA regular season Various Various

NBA Betting Terms

  • Accumulator – Another name for a parlay bet.
  • American Odds – Odds usually used in the US. Odds starting with a minus show how much to bet to win $100. Odds starting with a plus show how much you win when betting $100.
  • Bonus – An incentive given by a sportsbook to encourage players to sign up, deposit, and place bets.
  • Decimal Odds – The type of odds mostly used in Canada. Multiply the odds by your bet to determine how much you’ll receive back if the bet is a winner.
  • Dime Bet – A bet worth $1,000.
  • Even Money – Odds that see you doubling your bet amount if the bet is a winning one.
  • Favorite – The team the bookmaker expects to win a game.
  • First Half Betting – A bet type that focuses on the first half of a game only.
  • Fractional Odds – Odds used mainly in the UK. Displayed as a fraction, the numerator shows how much you’ll win for every denominator wagered. The initial stake is also returned.
  • Futures Bet – A bet on something that won’t be resolved for a considerable time, such as betting on the NBA champions before the season starts.
  • In-Play Betting – Another name for live betting.
  • Live Betting – Betting on a game while it’s being played.
  • Moneyline Bet – A simple bet on which of the two teams will win a game.
  • Parlay Bet – A bet comprising of several selections, all of which must be winners for the overall parlay bet to be a winner.
  • Price – Another name for the odds.
  • Prop Bet – A bet on something that might happen during an NBA match but that doesn’t directly relate to the game’s outcome.
  • Punter – A term for the person placing a bet.
  • Push – When neither the bettor nor the bookmaker wins. In this case, the bettor’s stake is returned.
  • Second Half Betting – A bet type that focuses on the second half of a game only.
  • Spread – The predicted difference in points between two teams. For example, if the Warriors are predicted 120 points and the Kings 110, the spread is 10 points.
  • Spread Bet – A bet on which team will win when the spread is applied.
  • Totals Bet – A bet on whether there will be over or under a specific number of occurrences. For example, you could bet on whether there will be over or under 221.5 points in a game.
  • Underdog – The team a bookmaker expects to lose a game.
  • Wager – Another name for a bet.

Betting on NBA Near Me

Would you rather make your NBA betting picks in person, as opposed to online? If so, whether you can comes down to the province you are in.

While in-person betting is legal in every province, some have yet to roll out in-person betting, while the others only offer in-person betting at places such as convenience stores. There are no dedicated retail sportsbooks in the country – although this could soon change, with plans to open retail sportsbooks in casinos in Ontario.

Because retail betting is not widely available in Canada, the best option is to bet on basketball using a desktop or mobile device. Offshore NBA betting sites can legally be accessed from every province in the country. The best sportsbooks for NBA betting are listed on this page.

The Best NBA Betting Site in Canada

After looking at many offshore sports betting sites in Canada, we’ve decided that the best place for betting on the NBA is Bodog – unless you live in Quebec, where Bodog is not available and Stake.com is therefore our top choice. Both sites offer loads of basketball betting markets, as well as great odds, plus they’re both names you can trust.

You’ll also find that both Bodog and Stake.com have some fantastic bonuses and promotions, plus they have exceptional mobile websites. Why not make your way over to one of them today and start placing bets on the NBA?

James Wright

Jamie is an avid sports fan from the UK. He follows Spurs in the EPL, plus enjoys staying up far too late to watch the Chiefs in action. He's been creating sports betting content for over 10 years.

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