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James Wright
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Betting on football is hugely popular in Canada, with every NFL, CFL, and NCAAF game attracting a huge amount of interest from gambling enthusiasts. With loads of bet types and impressive odds, betting on football in Canada has never been more exciting, regardless of where you are in the country.

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On this page, we’re going to be looking at betting on football from many angles, letting you know about the best football betting sites in Canada, giving you some fantastic tips for betting on football, and much more. Once you’ve finished reading, you’ll be more than ready to start betting on football in Canada.

Contents

List of the Top Football Betting Sites for 2024

Below, you’ll find our quick list of the best football betting sites in Canada, so you can work out where to play quickly.

  1. Bodog – The best Canadian football betting site
  2. Stake.com – Huge selection of football betting markets
  3. BetOnline – The top sportsbook for crypto users
  4. XBet – Incredibly high football betting odds available
  5. MyBookie – Perfect for live betting on football
  6. Everygame – Superb range of bonuses and promotions
  7. BetNow – Parlays regularly offer huge potential prizes
  8. BUSR – Great for fans of NCAAF betting
  9. Sportsbetting.ag – Superb option for CFL betting fans
  10. PowBet – Many contests and tournaments offered

Best Football Sportsbooks Reviewed

You’ve seen how we rank the best football betting sites in Canada, and now you can take a closer look at each of them, to further help you decide where to bet.

1. Bodog – The Best Canadian Football Betting Site

Bodog Football Betting

Of all the football betting sites available in Canada, Bodog is at the top of the list – although it’s not available to those looking for sports betting in Quebec. This site offers everything a football betting fan could ask for, including a huge range of betting options – including betting on NFL, CFL, and NCAAF – and some of the best odds you’ll find in the industry. It’s also an exceptionally well-known name you can trust implicitly.

Bodog is also highly recommended thanks to the number of bonuses and promotions on offer, including a great welcome bonus to start new players on the right foot. Bodog is also great for live betting, thanks to the easy-to-use live betting platform, plus offers markets on loads of other sports, including basketball, hockey, soccer, and baseball.

Pros:

  • Canada’s number one football betting site
  • Huge range of football betting options
  • Fantastic odds on football betting often offered
  • Superb live betting platform
  • Several exciting bonuses and promotions

Cons:

  • No Bodog football betting app available
  • Not enough depositing options

2. Stake.com – Huge Selection of Football Betting Markets

Stake.com Football Betting

If you want to find a football betting site with a huge range of betting options, look no further than Stake.com. Not only do they offer betting on the NFL, CFL, and NCAAF, but they also offer loads of bet types, ranging from simple ones, such as moneyline and spread betting, to more unusual prop bets on many games. What’s more, the odds are generally great too.

But why else should you choose Stake.com for football betting? Well, they have a great range of bonuses, despite not having a welcome bonus, plus they also have one of the best-looking websites around, which makes betting a pleasure. The mobile website is equally as impressive. Crypto users will love the huge range of crypto depositing options. We also love the live NFL streaming.

Pros:

  • Giant selection of football betting markets
  • Live streaming of NFL games
  • Fantastic desktop and mobile websites
  • Loads of crypto depositing options
  • Above-average odds regularly offered

Cons:

  • No Stake.com app for betting on football
  • Customer support can be slow

3. BetOnline – The Top Sportsbook for Crypto Users

BetOnline Football Betting

If you like to deposit using cryptocurrency, head over to BetOnline, as they allow deposits to be made with a giant range of cryptos. These include popular cryptos, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, to lesser-known ones, such as Polygon and Tron. What’s more, there are plenty of crypto bonuses, to ensure crypto users get a little extra when they deposit.

Other reasons to bet on football at BetOnline? Well, they cover the game in detail, with their NFL coverage being particularly impressive, plus their live betting options on football are fantastic. What’s more, as with all top football betting sites, they usually offer decent odds on football betting, as well as betting on other sports, including basketball and hockey.

Pros:

  • The best place to bet with cryptocurrency
  • Many options for betting on football
  • Plenty of bonuses, including crypto bonuses
  • Top live betting platform
  • Decent prices offered on all football bets

Cons:

  • No BetOnline football betting app available
  • Have been rare reports of confiscated winnings

4. XBet – Incredibly High Football Betting Odds Available

XBet Football Betting

For many, the only reason they bet is to win money. If this is you, head to XBet, where they consistently offer the best football betting prices online, for both pre-game and live betting. These high odds are combined with loads of different football betting options, making XBet a superb choice for those who enjoy betting on football.

Bonuses and promotions are also strong at XBet, and include a great welcome bonus for new players, plus there are some nice betting contests, where you can bet against other football fans. The desktop site, while not particularly attractive, is very easy to use, while the mobile website both looks and feels great.

Pros:

  • High prices for football betting usually offered
  • Loads of options for betting on football
  • Plenty of big bonuses and promotions
  • Several exciting contests usually available
  • Exceptionally intuitive desktop and mobile sites

Cons:

  • No XBet app for betting on football
  • Pretty unattractive desktop site

5. MyBookie – Perfect for Live Betting on Football

MyBookie Football Betting

Live betting adds an extra dimension to any football game, and MyBookie offers an amazing live betting platform. It offers live betting on all NFL and CFL games, as well as many college games too, and the live odds are generally exceptionally good. The live platform works well on both desktop and mobile, so you’ll never miss betting live on a game.

MyBookie also has a few decent bonuses, and regular gamblers will love their VIP scheme, which can be very rewarding. Like XBet, the look of the site isn’t great, but it is really simple to use. We would recommend checking the depositing options before signing up, as there aren’t as many as you’ll find at some other football betting sites.

Pros:

  • Great live betting platform
  • Decent odds for live betting usually offered
  • Plenty of football betting options available
  • Some nice bonuses and promotions
  • Great VIP scheme to reward regular bettors

Cons:

  • No MyBookie football betting app available
  • Limited selection of depositing options

6. Everygame – Superb Range of Bonuses and Promotions

Everygame Football Betting

Do you like to gamble at sites with loads of bonuses and promotions? If so, head over to Everygame. Not only do they have a fine selection of bonuses, but they also have fair terms and conditions, meaning you won’t constantly be fighting against ridiculous wagering requirements. Bonus types you’ll regularly find include deposit match bonuses and giveaways.

Other reasons to join Everygame include their coverage of the NCAAF, which is fantastic, and the fair odds they offer on all sports. As with some other football betting sites on this list, the look of their site isn’t very impressive, but if you ignore this, you’ll find a site that is incredibly simple to use and offers an enjoyable football betting experience.

Pros:

  • Plenty of bonuses and promotions
  • Bonuses have fair terms and conditions
  • Superb coverage of NCAAF
  • Website is simple to use
  • Fair odds nearly always offered

Cons:

  • No Everygame app for betting on football
  • Website isn’t particularly good-looking

7. BetNow – Parlays Regularly Offer Huge Potential Prizes

BetNow Football Betting

Parlays aren’t the only bet type offered in Canada anymore, but they are still incredibly popular. If you’re a fan of parlays, consider heading over to BetNow, which regularly offers boosted odds on parlay bets. Parlays are also easy to create at BetNow, plus there are plenty of football betting options for you to choose from.

You’ll also find that BetNow offers some really nice bonuses, including an impressive sign-up bonus, plus they also have an incredibly intuitive sportsbook – although the site doesn’t look particularly great. Check the depositing options before signing up, as the selection really isn’t very impressive, especially if you prefer to deposit with cryptocurrency.

Pros:

  • Regular boosts to parlay bets
  • Several decent bonuses and promotions
  • Betting contests often offered
  • Plenty of options for betting on football
  • Sportsbook is very easy to use

Cons:

  • No BetNow football betting app available
  • Limited selection of other sports

8. BUSR – Great for Fans of NCAAF Betting

BUSR Football Betting

While most sportsbooks offer NFL and CFL betting, many don’t go as far as offering betting on college football. BUSR are different, as they have loads of NCAAF markets and cover all the major college games, offering decent prices to those looking to bet. What’s more, many NCAAF games are covered live on their superb live betting platform.

NFL betting is also great at BUSR, with all kinds of NFL markets available throughout the season. BUSR is also known for offering some great promotions, including bonuses specifically for crypto users. The odds are usually fair, as you’d expect from a top football betting site, but there aren’t many depositing options, so check yours is available before signing up.

Pros:

  • Great range of NCAAF betting markets
  • Also covers NFL particularly well
  • Several top promotions
  • Fair odds generally offered
  • Fantastic esports coverage

Cons:

  • No BUSR app for betting on football
  • Not many depositing options

9. Sportsbetting.ag – Superb Option for CFL Betting Fans

Sportsbetting.ag Football Betting

There’s no escaping the fact that the NFL dominates football, even in Canada. But if you’re a fan of the CFL, you’ll find great CFL betting options over at Sportsbetting.ag, with every CFL game covered in detail, both pre-game and live. The odds are decent for all CFL betting options, as they are for all other football betting markets.

Away from CFL betting, you’ll also find that this sportsbook offers plenty of bonuses and promotions, including a nice welcome bonus for new players and regular risk-free bet bonuses. The live betting platform is also great, covering many football encounters. The only downside to this site is the design, which isn’t very inspiring and might be somewhat intimidating to new gamblers.

Pros:

  • Top choice for betting on CFL
  • Great reputation in the sports betting industry
  • Plenty of rewarding bonuses
  • Nice live betting platform
  • NFL also covered very well

Cons:

  • No Sportsbetting.ag football betting app available
  • Website can look intimidating to new bettors

10. PowBet – Many Contests and Tournaments Offered

PowBet Football Betting

Are you looking for a new way to bet on football and other sports? If so, you should try contests and tournaments. You’ll find several of these at PowBet, along with more traditional gambling, and many of the tournaments and contests are targeted at football lovers. All you usually need to do to enter is make a minimum deposit at the site.

PowBet also offers plenty of markets on the NFL, as well as CFL and NCAAF coverage, plus it has some nice bonuses and promotions, which can include parlay boosts and cashback. The live betting platform is also a highlight, offering intuitive betting on football games as they’re being played. We also think PowBet looks great, which adds to the enjoyment of betting there.

Pros:

  • Great place for betting tournaments and contests
  • Impressive coverage of football
  • Several nice bonuses and promotions
  • Top live betting platform
  • Great looking website

Cons:

  • No PowBet app for betting on football
  • Maximum permitted withdrawal can be low

Football Betting FAQs

How do you bet on football in Canada?

Where can I bet on football in Canada?

How do you win when betting on football?

What is the best football bet?

What’s the easiest football bet to win?

What is the safest betting strategy for football?

How should beginners bet on football?

How are bets on football placed?

Canada’s Best Football Betting Sites Compared

Looking to compare the Canadian sportsbooks we’ve highlighted on this page? If so, you’ll find some important pieces of information in the table below.

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 some confusion around offshore betting sites, but we’re here to tell you once and for all: offshore betting sites are legal in Canada, regardless of the province you’re in. Many Canadians bet at offshore sites every day and are completely safe from any legal issues when doing so.

There is one thing to remember: while offshore sportsbooks are legal, they are not regulated within Canada. Don’t let this put you off, as you can be sure that all the offshore sites we recommend are perfectly legitimate and can be trusted entirely – we wouldn’t recommend a site if we had even a sniff of suspicion about their trustworthiness.

Is Football Betting Legal in Canada?

Football betting is legal in Canada, regardless of where you live in the country. All provinces have legal retail betting, although the extent to which it’s been rolled out varies from province to province. In some provinces, bets can be made in places like convenience stores, while in other provinces there are no in-person betting venues at all.

But what about online sports betting? Well, only Ontario has regulated online sports betting, which was rolled out recently. This means that the legal sites in Ontario are licenced and regulated by Ontario iGaming.

Don’t worry if you live outside Ontario, in cities such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Edmonton. It is also legal to bet online everywhere else in Canada, but you’ll need to use offshore sportsbooks. These aren’t regulated in Canada but are huge names, so you can be sure that they’re safe, secure, and trustworthy.

It’s also important to talk about the types of bets you can make. It used to be the case that only parlay bets were legal in Canada, but this changed recently, when single-game betting was legalized. This means Canadians can now legally place a huge range of bet types. This isn’t new to everyone, as offshore sites have offered single-game betting for many years.

Advantages of Offshore Betting Sites

You might be wondering why offshore football betting sites represent the best choice for Canadian fans of betting on football. If so, we’ve come up with five great reasons to bet at offshore sportsbooks below.

  • High odds usually offered. Offshore sportsbooks often offer much better odds than legal sportsbooks, as they’re competing against many other offshore betting options. Legal sportsbooks have very little competition.
  • Huge range of sports available. Offshore sportsbooks have a worldwide focus, meaning they offer loads of sports. Legal sportsbooks, on the other hand, are focused on Canada, and therefore only offer sports popular in Canada.
  • Exceptional innovation. As already mentioned, offshore sportsbooks have a lot of competition. To make themselves stand-out, they need to constantly innovative and provide exciting new options to their customers.
  • Many depositing options. You’ll find that offshore betting sites usually offer a large selection of depositing options, including cryptocurrency. Legal sportsbooks nearly always have a much smaller selection.
  • Great bonuses. Nearly all top offshore football betting sites will have a range of bonuses, often including deposit match bonuses, free bets, and rebates. Only a very small selection of bonuses can be found at the average legal sportsbook.

How We Review Football Betting Sites

We spend a huge amount of time reviewing and comparing Canadian sportsbooks offering betting on football. The reason? We want to ensure you always end up at the best possible sportsbook for you. When reviewing sites, we take many factors into consideration, and some of the most important are explained below.

Range of Football Bet Types

We want to see that a site offering betting on football has a large range of bet types. These should include moneyline, spreads, futures, and more. What’s more, live betting should be available for every NFL and CFL game, as well as major NCAAF games. We also expect to see generous odds always offered when betting on football.

Choice of Football Events

The best sites should offer a range of football betting opportunities. Betting on the entire NFL regular season and playoffs should be offered, as should Super Bowl betting. We also expect to see every CFL game available, along with all major NCAAF games. There are extra marks to sites with additional markets, such as betting on the NFL Draft.

Bonus & Promotions

Bonuses and promotions are exceptionally important at online sportsbooks. We want to see sites offering as many bonuses as possible to customers betting on football, including welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and free bets. All bonuses should have fair terms and conditions, meaning low wagering requirements and no caps on winnings.

Safety & Security

Safety and security are exceptionally important to us, and we will only ever recommend sites that you can trust entirely. Sites should be properly regulated somewhere reputable, plus they should use SSL encryption to protect transactions. We also expect to see a robust privacy policy to ensure your details aren’t passed to third parties.

Payment Options

We expect you to be able to deposit at a sportsbook using a wide variety of ways. All sites should allow transactions using credit/debit card and eWallets, plus we also expect to see Interac available. We also really like to see cryptocurrency offered as a payment method, although none of our recommended sites currently accept it.

Customer Support

Customer support is another exceptionally important part of any top sportsbook. We want to see that sites give customers a variety of ways to get in touch, including live chat and email, plus representatives should reply quickly and helpfully. We also expect a decent FAQ or help section, so customers can find answers to questions themselves.

How to Sign Up and Bet on Football

Have you never signed up for a sportsbook or placed a bet on football? If not, then don’t worry, as doing both is incredibly simple. Just follow the step-by-step instructions listed below. We’ve used Bodog, our top site offering betting for football, as an example.

1. Go to Bodog

Head over to the Bodog website using your desktop or mobile. You should then click “Join” to begin the registration process, which will only take a couple of minutes.

Bodog Homepage

2. Fill Out the Registration Form

You’ll now need to fill out all required details, including your name and email address. All data you input will be stored securely by any top site offering betting for football. When everything is complete, submit the form. You now have a Bodog account.

Bodog Registration Form

3. Make a Deposit

Now you need to head to the cashier and deposit some money. When at the cashier, choose your deposit method and fill out all details, remembering to enter any promo code you might have. After you submit the deposit, the money should be transferred within seconds.

Bodog Depositing Options

4. Select a Bet

It’s now time for the fun part – selecting your bet. Spend some time looking through all the football betting options and click the bet you like best. This will add it to your betslip.

Bodog Sportsbook

5. Choose the Bet Amount

You now need to input the amount of money you’d like to wager on the betslip – when you do, you’ll be shown your potential winnings. Once done, confirm the bet. It’s now simply a case of waiting to see if your bet is a winner.

Bodog Betslip

How Betting on Football Works

Betting on football is exceptionally simple and is just like betting on any other sport. You’ll need to choose your bet, select how much to wager, and then submit the bet. If it’s a winner, your winnings will be placed into your account automatically.

The amount of money you win depends on your initial bet size and the odds you accepted. In Canada, odds are usually displayed in decimal format. To work out how much you’ll win from a successful bet, multiply your bet amount by the decimal odds. The answer is the overall amount of money you’ll receive, including the return of your initial stake.

Here’s an example: you place a $20 bet on the Toronto Argonauts to beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, at odds of 2.10. If the bet is a winning one, you’ll receive a payout worth $20 x 2.10, which is $42. Of this money, $22 is winnings and the other $20 is your initial stake.

Single-Game Football Betting in Canada

Not too long ago, the options for legal football betting were small. This is because for many years, Canada only allowed parlay bets, meaning at least two selections had to be rolled into one single bet. This meant that Canadians weren’t able to access the same range of betting options as those in the UK or the US, for example.

But things have now changed, and single-game betting has now been legalized throughout the country. This means that it’s now possible to place single bets, such as a simple bet on one NFL team beating another. The result? A far more diverse and exciting sports betting landscape for those betting on football.

It should be noted that for many people in Canada, single-game betting is not new. This is because offshore sportsbooks, which are based outside Canada and therefore don’t need to follow rules and regulations, have offered single-game betting for years. It’s only legal online and retail sportsbooks that have recently introduced single-game betting.

Popular Football Betting Markets

As mentioned, single-game betting is now legal in Canada, which has given a huge boost to the types of bets you can make at legal sportsbooks. Below, we’ve summarized some of the most popular types of betting for football fans.

Moneyline Bets

The simplest of all bets, a moneyline bet sees you wagering on which team will win an encounter. The score doesn’t matter, and you won’t need to apply a spread. Usually, you’ll only be able to bet on the winning team – in the event of a tie, your initial stake is returned.

Winning Team Odds
Buffalo Bills 1.72
Los Angeles Rams 2.15

Spread Betting

In spread betting, one team is given a head-start, in order to level the playing field and also make the odds for each team closer to equal. The favourite will have points deducted, while the underdog will receive additional points. Please note: one bet will only see one of these things happened – you won’t have points deducted from one team and added to the other.

Winning Team Odds
Buffalo Bills -2.5 1.91
Los Angeles Rams +2.5 1.91

Totals Betting

In totals betting, you must guess whether the total of something, like the number of points scored in a game, will be over or under the sportsbook’s prediction. For example, the sportsbook might say there will be 40.5 points in a game between the Giants and the Bears, and you must say whether there will be more or less. Both options usually have similar odds.

Total Points 40.5 Odds
Over 1.91
Under 1.91

Prop Bets

A prop bet is a bet on anything not directly related to the game’s result or score. As you might imagine, there are loads of prop bets – the only limit is the bookmaker’s imagination. One popular prop bet is whether a player will score the first touchdown in a game.

First Touchdown Scorer Odds
Cooper Kupp 6.50
Stefon Diggs 8.50
Cam Akers 8.50
Devin Singletary 9.00
Gabriel Davis 11.00

Futures

Futures bets are bets made on something that won’t happen for a considerable time. They can have high odds, but you’ll need to have patience, as they often won’t be resolved for months, or even years. A good example of a futures bet would be betting on the team to win the Super Bowl when the regular season hasn’t even started.

Super Bowl Winners Odds
Buffalo Bills 7.00
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8.50
Kansas City Chiefs 11.00
Los Angeles Rams 12.00
Green Bay Packers 13.00

Parlays

Parlay bets are bets with several constituent selections. In order for the parlay to win, all selections within the parlay must be winners. This means odds can be exceptionally high, but the chances of winning parlays can be very low. See below for an example of a football parlay bet.

  • Buffalo Bills to beat Los Angeles Rams @ 1.72
  • New England Patriots to beat Miami Dolphins @ 2.30
  • Jacksonville Jaguars to beat Washington Commanders @ 2.35

When these three bets are rolled into a parlay, you’ll receive odds of 9.29, but if any of the Bills, Patriots, and Jaguars don’t win, the whole bet will be a losing one.

Live Football Betting

Live football betting is now offered at every top sportsbook in Canada. It used to be the case that you could only place bets on a game before it started, but live betting changed that. It’s now possible to bet on a game while it’s in-play, with the odds changing constantly to reflect the state of play on the pitch.

Live betting is a great way to add a huge amount of fun to even the most boring of games. It’s not just offered on football either – it’s also possible to bet live online on soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball, tennis, and much more.

Football Betting Strategies & Systems

Over the years, gamblers have concocted many football betting strategies, some of which work, others of which don’t. Below, you can see our top three strategies for betting on football.

Bankroll Management

No matter how many betting on football tips you ever hear, the most important strategy any gambler should use is bankroll management. Use it and you won’t ever find your bankroll being destroyed quickly, but fail to use it and you could lose all your money in just one gambling session.

Quite simply, you should only ever wager a tiny percentage of your bankroll at once – many say around 5%. By making many small bets instead of one large one, you allow luck to even out, meaning you shouldn’t lose all your money at once. It also means that you won’t have to continually top up your betting account.

Dutching

Dutching is a strategy more commonly used in horse racing, but it can also be applied to betting on football. It sees you placing two or more bets on the market, such as betting on both Cooper Kupp and Tyreek Hill to score the first touchdown in a game, or on both the Bills and the Chiefs to win Super Bowl.

By doing this, you’re increasing your chances of getting a winner. The more bets you make, the higher your chances of winning, but the lower your overall winnings will be. It’s best used when you’re torn between two or three bets. Remember to double check that your potential winnings cover your stakes before betting on football in this way.

Fading the Public

Fading the public is when you bet against the majority of other bettors. For example, most people might be betting on the Chargers to beat the Seahawks, so you decide to put your money behind a Seahawks win. It might seem like an odd tactic, but it actually has some very sensible thinking behind it.

When loads of people bet on one team, the odds of that team will fall. At the same time, the opponent’s odds will rise. This means that the odds of the opposing team are often higher than they really deserve to be – making for a great betting opportunity. On the downside, you’ll have to watch the odds for a long time to see them moving and place your bet at the best time.

Our Top 5 Tips for Betting on Football

There are loads of tips for betting on football out there, ranging from incredibly useful ones to ones that are entirely useless. Below, you can find five betting on football tips that should really help when you next place a wager.

1. Always Consider Form

You must understand how both teams have been playing before betting on a football game. Has one team been struggling in defense? Has special teams let down one of the teams previously? Also, consider individual form too, especially for key players like the quarterback – if the quarterback is in poor form, a team’s chances of winning nosedive drastically.

2. Remember Home Advantage

The team playing at home really does usually have an advantage, which you should factor in when betting on football. The home team will know the conditions well – important in places such as Green Bay, where weather can be extreme – pus they’ve not had to travel far. What’s more, the home crowd can provide a huge boost to players.

3. Understand All Bet Types

Many people stick to betting on the same types of bets all the time. By doing so, they’re missing the chance to make many other fantastic wagers and take advantage of potentially high odds. You should understand all bet types – if you don’t, spend some time researching them. Doing so won’t just give you access to better bets – it will also boost the enjoyment of betting.

4. Check the Odds

You should never place a bet without first comparing the odds across various sportsbooks, to ensure you get the best possible price. You’ll also need to have accounts with several sportsbooks, so you’re able to take advantage when a sportsbook offers high odds. There’s nothing wrong with having multiple accounts – in fact, most top gamblers have many of them.

5. Only Bet What You Can Afford to Lose

The last of our betting on football tips won’t help you win bets, but it will ensure gambling stays enjoyable. Quite simply, you should only ever bet what you can afford to lose. If you do find yourself spending money you need for important bills, you should stop betting straight away and get help from one of the fantastic Canadian problem gambling organizations.

Biggest Football Competitions to Bet On

Football is gaining in popularity across the globe, but it’s still dominated by North America. There are three main football competitions in the world, and we’ll take a look at all three below.

NFL

The National Football League is the biggest football league in the world, by a considerable distance. It features 32 teams, all of which are based in the US, and these teams are split into two conferences. Each conference is then split into four divisions. Every year, champions from both conferences meet in the Super Bowl, one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

CFL

The CFL is Canada’s top football league. There are nine teams, split into two divisions. Each team plays 18 games, with most being against teams from their own division. The top three teams from each division qualify for the playoffs, and the two playoff winners progress to the Grey Cup, which is Canada’s answer to the Super Bowl.

NCAAF

College football is huge in the US, and there’s also a decent following in Canada. Colleges from throughout the US compete in various leagues, with the players all looking to catch the eyes of coaches from NFL teams. College football is fast and exciting, which is why so many people enjoy betting on it.

Canadian Football Teams to Bet On

There are no Canadian teams playing in the NFL, but all the teams in the CFL hail from Canada. Find out about the five most successful CFL teams below.

Toronto Argonauts

The Argonauts are the most successful team in the CFL, having won the Grey Cup an impressive 17 times. They’ve also lost in the final a further six times. As well as being the most successful CFL team, they’re also the oldest, having been founded way back in 1873. They are part of the East Division and play their home games at BMO Field.

Edmonton Elks

The Elks – or, as they were called until 2020, the Eskimos – have won the Grey Cup 14 times, putting them second on the all-time list. They’ve also lost in the Grey Cup nine times. They’re in the West Division and have a rivalry with the Calgary Stampeders. They play their home games at the Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers hold the record for the most Grey Cup appearances – they’ve been to the final 26 times, winning on 12 occasions. They were the first team from the West Division to win the Grey Cup, back in 1935. They play their home games at IG Field and have rivalries with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Tiger-Cats were formed when the Hamilton Tigers and Hamilton Wildcats merged in 1950. They have been to the Grey Cup 22 times, but have a poor record, only winning the game on eight occasions. They are in the East Division and play their home games at Tim Hortons Field. Their rivalry with Winnipeg stems from meeting them several times in the Grey Cup.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Roughriders are based in Regina and have been to the Grey Cup 19 times. However, their record in the Grey Cup is truly abysmal, having only won the cup on four occasions. This means they’ve only won just over 20% of their Grey Cup matches. They are in the West Division and play their home games at the Mosaic Stadium.

Football Betting Online Bonuses and Promotions

When you start football betting online, you’ll find that there are loads of bonuses and promotions available to you. Below, we explain the more common bonuses found at Canadian online sportsbooks.

Match Deposit Sign Up Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses are given to people signing up or making a first deposit. They are usually match deposit bonuses, meaning that the sportsbook will add an extra percentage to a deposit, usually in the form of bonus money. So, for example, if you deposit $50 and get a 200% match bonus, you’ll receive an extra $100 in bonus money to gamble with.

No Deposit Bonus

As the name suggests, a bonus of this type is given to you without the need for any deposit. This means that they’re entirely risk free – something that makes them incredibly popular with gamblers. No deposit bonuses are usually quite small, plus they often have high wagering requirements and a limit to the amount you can win from them.

Free Bets

Free bets give you an opportunity to place a free wager at a sportsbook. They are often given as no deposit bonuses, so you won’t have to risk any of your own money to claim one. They differ from standard no deposit bonuses as they are not given as bonus money – instead, they’re given as one free bet, which must be used to place one wager.

Bitcoin & Crypto Bonuses

Bitcoin, along with many other cryptocurrencies, is popular with gambling sites, which often do everything they can to encourage crypto deposits. This is why you’ll find so many crypto bonuses online. They’re nearly always match deposit bonuses, adding an extra percentage to your deposits, and can be worth thousands of dollars.

Reload or Top-Up Bonuses

Reload bonuses reward customers for making further deposits once their welcome bonus has been used. They’re not usually as large as welcome bonuses – expect the average reload bonus to be around 50% – but they can normally be used multiple times. As with all bonuses, make sure you check the terms, including the wagering requirements, before claiming a reload bonus.

Risk-Free Bets

Finally, we come to risk free bets. These are bonuses that see the sportsbook promising to give you a free bet if your real money bet is a losing one. Therefore, you will receive something back, regardless of your bet’s outcome. However, they’re not really risk-free, as you will have to risk some of your own real money to claim them.

Popular Payment Methods at Football Betting Sites

Depositing money isn’t the most glamorous part of betting on football, but it’s incredibly important. To make the depositing process as easy as possible, you need to pick a sportsbook that offers your preferred depositing option. Not sure which payment method to use? If not, we’ve outlined the main sportsbook depositing options below.

Crypto Betting Options

Cryptocurrency is steadily breaking into the mainstream, and many online sportsbooks now accept deposits using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, and many other cryptocurrencies. For some, using crypto is a daunting prospect, but it’s actually incredibly simple. It’s also incredibly cost-effective, as crypto deposits have only the smallest of fees attached to them.

You’ll also find that crypto deposits are pretty fast, plus they are exceptionally secure, as you’ll never need to give any personal details when depositing. There is risk attached to cryptocurrency, as crypto can fluctuate wildly in value, meaning the value of your crypto could drop quickly. Of course, it could also rise, so buying crypto is essentially a gamble. More about crypto betting can be found in our guide.

eWallet Betting Options

eWallets are another popular way to deposit at online football betting sites. There are several, but the three most commonly seen are PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. They all act as a middleman between bank account and gambling site, meaning that there’s no need to input any banking details at your chosen sportsbook.

You’ll also find that depositing using eWallets is very quick – most deposits will be almost instant. But there is a big downside to eWallets deposits – the fees. Fees are payable whenever you deposit or withdraw, and sometimes when you do both. These can be significant and really eat into your bankroll.

Traditional Payment Methods

By traditional payment methods, we mean credit and debit cards, such as VISA and MasterCard, as well as Interac, which is hugely popular in Canada. These traditional methods are accepted at most Canadian online gambling sites and are exceptionally convenient to use, simply because nearly everyone has a bank account already.

You’ll also find that depositing with a credit/debit card is completely free, leaving more money for gambling. There are small charges attached to using Interac, although they’re very small compared to the fees charged by eWallets. Deposits made using credit/debit card and Interac are generally exceptionally fast, taking just a few seconds.

Football Apps & Mobile Betting

It’s now the case that you can bet on football from anywhere, providing you have a mobile device and an internet connection. Every online sportsbook, including the ones we’ve recommended on this page, have mobile websites, which can be accessed using all common mobile browsers. They’ve got all the same markets as their respective desktop sites, plus the odds are also the same.

You’ll also find that many Canadian sports betting sites offer apps to users of iOS and Android devices, although this is not the case at any sites we recommend. These can be downloaded for free from the App Store and Google Play. Apps offer an exceptionally convenient way to bet – just one click on the app’s icon and you’ll have the sportsbook open in front of you.

Football Schedule for 2022

You’ll find that there’s football to bet on throughout the year. Check out the football schedule for 2022 below, so you never miss the chance to bet on a game.

Date Event Venue Location
January 10 College Football Playoff National Championship Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana
January 15 – February 13 NFL Playoffs Various Various
February 6 NFL Pro Bowl Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, Nevada
February 13 Super Bowl LVI SoFi Stadium Inglewood, California
June 9 – October 29 CFL regular season Various Various
August 27 – December 10 NCAA Division I FBS season Various Various
September 8 – January 8 NFL regular season Various Various
November 6 – November 13 CFL Playoffs Various Various
November 20 Grey Cup Mosaic Stadium Regina, Saskatchewan
December 16 – January 9 NCAA Division I FBS post-season Various Various

Football Betting Glossary

Accumulator – Another name for a parlay bet.

American Odds – Type of odds used in the US. Odds beginning with a minus denote the favourite, while odds beginning with a plus denote the underdog.

Bankroll – The amount of money you have available to gamble with.

Bookmaker – The person or organization you place bets against.

Chalk – A term used to describe the favourite in a contest.

Closing Line – The odds being offered immediately before the game begins.

Cover the Spread – When you place a winning spread bet on the favourite.

Decimal Odds – Type of odds used in Canada and mainland Europe. Quite simply, the higher the number, the higher the odds are.

Dog – Short for underdog.

Even Money – A bet that pays out exactly double the stake.

Exotic – Another name for a prop bet.

Fractional Odds – Type of odds used in the UK and Ireland. The numerator is how much money you’ll win when you bet an amount equal to the denominator. You’ll also get your stake back.

Handicapper – Someone who carries out research before placing a bet.

Juice – Another name for vigorish.

Live Betting – Wagering on a game while it is in-play.

Lock – A term used to describe a team almost certain to win.

Moneyline – A bet on which team will win a game, without any spread being applied. The simplest of all bet types.

Off the Board – When a sportsbook stops accepting wagers on a particular selection.

Push – When neither the customer nor the sportsbook wins. In this instance, the customer will receive their stake back.

Prop Bet – A bet on something that doesn’t directly concern the game’s result or score.

Take the Points – Placing a spread bet on the underdog.

Spread – The amount of points given and taken away from opponents in order to create a level playing field.

Totals Bet – A bet on whether there will be over or under a specified number of points in a game.

Vigorish – The edge claimed by a bookmaker for each bet.

Bet on Football Near Me

Online football betting is possible throughout Canada, but there are some who just prefer to place a bet in-person. But what’s the situation regarding retail betting in Canada?

Well, in-person betting is legal in every province. However, there’s an issue – only some of the provinces have rolled out in-person betting. What’s more, the provinces that have rolled it out only offer betting at places like convenience stores – there are no dedicated retail sportsbooks.

So, in many cases, it won’t be possible to bet in-person in Canada. This means that online betting is the only option. Luckily, you’ll be able to bet anywhere in Canada when you sign-up with most of the sportsbooks we recommend on this page.

The Best Football Betting Site in Canada

Looking for the best football betting site in Canada? Well, look no further, as we’ve identified Bodog as the best place for you to bet.

You’ll find that Bodog offers a giant range of football betting options, as well as some fantastic bonuses – including a hugely rewarding welcome bonus for new players. It’s also a site you can trust, so why not head over to Bodog and start betting on football today?

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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