Hockey is widely regarded as the most viewed sport in Canada. As a result, Canadian sportsbooks cover the sport in depth, with hockey being the number one sport to bet on.

We’ve created this hockey betting guide to highlight how the get the most from your visit to the sportsbooks. Included are reviews of the best hockey betting sites, information on massive bonuses and promotions, betting markets, hockey picks, sign-up advice, and banking options.

List of the Best Hockey Betting Sites 2023

Below we’ve included a list of the top 10 hockey betting sites for 2023. All of the sportsbooks offer a great range of hockey betting options, but each has its features and benefits. We’ve highlighted a quick overview of what you can expect to find and expanded on that in our review section.

1. Bodog – Best sportsbook for hockey betting in Canada
2. Stake.com – Best for live streaming hockey betting
3. BetOnline – Over 25 years hockey betting experience
4. XBet – Best for strong hockey betting lines
5. MyBookie – Best for hockey prop bets
6. Everygame – Best for easy use design
7. BetNow – Best for live betting on hockey
8. BUSR – Best for hockey betting promotions
9. Sportsbetting.ag – Best for existing player offers
10. PowBet – Great Design for hockey betting

Reviews of the Best Hockey Sportsbooks

1)   Bodog – Best Hockey Sportsbook Overall

Bodog is ranked number 1 in our list of the best hockey betting sites. There are lots to like, but it’s the incredibly strong betting lines that offer the most value. Testing against the rest of the sportsbooks in our list, Bodog was more consistent for hockey betting and in turn, offers more value for these types of markets.

Coverage is excellent across the board. The NHL plays a massive role in coverage, with over 60 bets accessible for each game. But it’s access to hockey leagues in areas like the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Sweden that sets them apart, creating huge depth for this area of the sportsbook.

2)   Stake.com – Live Streaming for Hockey Betting

Stake.com has the best-looking hockey betting site by far. The design is modern and very easy to use, plus it looks great on their mobile betting app as well.

They include a huge range of games on their live streaming platform, which links up seamlessly to live betting. You can watch live or use the match center which gives tons of data allowing you to make more informed picks. Leagues are accessible from around the world, with most games having at least 10 different markets to bet on.

3)   BetOnline – Over 25 Years as One of the Best Hockey Betting Sites

BetOnline came out on top as one of the best when it comes to value in their betting lines. The sportsbook is no-frills in terms of design, but shrewd bettors won’t care too much about that, instead getting more bang for your buck.

The NHL coverage is excellent, although the number of markets for each game is not as strong as Bodog. They do, however, cover leagues from around the world and have one of the best ranges of international hockey betting options that we’ve come across. On top of this, you get a great welcome offer, fast banking options, access to casino and poker, as well as dedicated hockey contests.

4)   XBet – Strongest Hockey Betting Lines in the Industry

Hockey is one of XBet’s most popular sports and overall, coverage is good. European leagues have a wide range of games you can bet and the betting odds are very strong across the board. Market coverage is good, with lots of alternative bets for both spread and totals bets.

The design of the XBet sportsbook is one of the very few negatives and it’s not the easiest to use. However, if you access the mobile betting site, this is greatly improved. Banking options come without any fees and are processed in a timely manner. Betting bonuses are not tied directly to hockey betting, but all of the welcome and existing player promos can be cleared on all hockey betting markets.

5)   MyBookie – Best for Hockey Betting Prop Bets

MyBookie runs on the same platform as XBet, so much of what you see there, you get here as well. There are reasons why you might choose this over their sister site and the main one is the design. It’s much easier to use and looks a lot better both online and on mobile.

Prop bet coverage is why we would suggest that you use MyBookie, with most of the NHL games have over 40 markets to choose from. These include alternative handicap bets, which include overtime and penalties. The welcome bonus is also different from XBet, so once you’ve cleared one, it’s worth jumping across to clear the other.

6)   Everygame – Great Design and Easy to Use Hockey Betting Site

Hockey is arguably Everygame’s biggest sport. They seem to cover more matches and include more markets than most other sports, with access to what we consider to be one of the best-looking NHL betting sites that we’ve tested.

Games are covered around the world, with the NHL being the focal point for the sport. Futures markets are some of the best, with the chance to bet on outright winners of each division and conference. Betting lines are strong, but prop bet coverage is thin.

7)   BetNow – Best for Live Betting on Hockey

BetNow’s unique selling point has to be its live betting section. All hockey games will eventually turn live and within it you can track and place bets as they progress. Prop bet coverage is excellent, with highlights including teams to score last in the game, win the opening faceoff, both teams to score, and race to 3 goals.

You’re getting access to some of the best promotions in the business with BetNow. All of these can be accessed and cleared by betting on hockey, with some post-season promotions running for the NHL.

8)   BUSR – Best for Hockey Betting Promotions

BUSR is all about the promotion of hockey betting. Not only are they some of the biggest that you can claim, but they also are relatively friendly in terms of wagering for their size. It’s possible to clear all bonuses when betting on hockey but be warned that you should only claim what you think you can clear within the allotted time.

NHL coverage is excellent, with a great range of prop bets to choose from. The only negative is coverage outside of the NHL, which is limited compared to most. Banking options include Mastercard, Visa, Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, with no fees and super-fast processing times.

9)   SportsBetting.ag – Best for Existing Player Promotions

Sprotsbetting.ag does the basics of hockey betting well. Game coverage is excellent, with access to a host of European leagues, as well as the NHL. Prop bets are excellent, with examples that include overtime bets, the highest scoring period, the margin of victory, and totals by period.

The design of the site is not the best, and it looks a little dated. However, it’s very easy to use and all of the markets are hosted under a single page, which means you don’t have to load a new page for each game. Bonuses and promotions are reason enough to use Sportsbeting.ag, with one of the biggest welcome bonuses in the industry right now.

10) PowBet – Easy to Use and Great Design for Hockey Betting

PowBet is one of the newest additions to our hockey betting guide. Design wise, they’ve smashed it out of the park, with a modern, colorful look. It’s easy to move between sports and markets, with the integrated bet slip that floats as you move around the sportsbook.

In terms of hockey leagues, it’s an international affair, with games from across Asia, Austria, England, Germany, Poland, and of course, Canada. The NHL is the biggest league to bet on it’s here where you not only get the largest number of games to bet on but also the best range of props. The only negative is that odds can be a little weaker than some, but it’s not a million miles away.

FAQs About Hockey Betting

What are the best hockey betting sites in Canada?

The best hockey betting sites in Canada are Bodog and BetOnline. Between the two you get a great balance of international hockey coverage, a huge range of NHL markets, the best betting lines, and massive welcome offers.

How do you bet on a hockey game?

You need a betting account to bet on hockey. Our pick is Bodog and once you’ve signed up you then need to deposit money to place your bet. Simply head to the sportsbook, use the menu, and find hockey, then make your pick. Enter your stake in the bet slip and confirm your bet.

Does overtime count in hockey betting?

Most sportsbooks will accept overtime as part of the result. For example, moneyline bets will include overtime for the final score. However, this is not the same with all hockey betting sites, so you need to check before you bet.

What is the puck line in hockey betting?

The puck line is another term used for the spread. This is essentially a handicap that is applied to both teams to create an equal playing field for the game.

How do hockey betting lines work?

The sportsbook creates markets and then sets the odds for each bet. The betting line can change based on a variety of factors and they often differ from site to site. Therefore it’s imperative you shop around for the best hocket betting odds.

What is 3-way betting in hockey?

3-way betting is a market that includes a tie in regular time. Hockey games don’t usually have a tie as standard and that’s why games will head into overtime to get a result. However, the 3-way market includes the tie and is solely based on the result over the three periods of regular time.

What does +1.5 mean in hockey betting?

+1.5 is in relation to the spread or the pick line. It’s essentially a handicap and this means that 1.5 goals will be added to that teams score then create the final score for the purpose of spread betting.

What is a double chance in hockey betting?

Double chance is where you can choose two results from the 3-way betting market. This is usually a home win and tie or an away win and tie. Some sportsbooks will allow you to choose a home win and an away win, although this is less common.

Comparing the Best Hockey Betting Sites

Use the table below to compare our list of the best hockey betting sites. We’ve included a range of features that you can access with each, including a dedicated mobile betting app or site, mobile bonus, live betting, and live streaming.

Is Hockey Betting Legal in Canada?

Hockey betting is legal in Canada. There are several options for you to choose from to bet on hockey, each of which is regulated and legal.

The main two choices come in the form of betting online or in person. Brick-and-mortar sites are less common, but still accessible across Canada. Most of them are run out of casinos or what most would consider to be regular convenience stores.

Online access is much more accessible. You’ve got a choice of legal betting sites or offshore betting sites. Both have their merits, but we prefer to access offshore betting sites due to having a much wider range of sportsbooks to choose from.

Are Offshore Hockey Betting Sites Legal in Canada?

Offshore betting sites are legal in Canada. These sites are all located outside of the country and can come from a range of jurisdictions. They do not need to conform to Canadian gambling laws, but they are all licensed and regulated within the country in that they reside.

All the hockey betting sites we’ve listed on this page are offshore sites. They are all trusted and we’ve made sure that are all fully licensed. It’s also easier to access these sites given that some provinces still prohibit some of the sportsbooks that are in Canada.

Advantages of Offshore Hockey Betting Sites

All the hockey betting sites that we recommend are based offshore. There are several reasons for this, which we’ve outlined below.

• More choice – Online betting in Canada is still limited, meaning that there aren’t all that many legal sportsbooks in the country. The offshore market is much larger and therefore creates more choices as a result.
• More markets to choose from – Generally offshore betting sites cover more markets from more sports. The reason is that these sites don’t just cater to Canadian or even US residents, but players from all over the world. This means that they need to offer sports and markets for other countries as well.
• Better odds – We’ve found that, overall, the odds are better on offshore betting sites than on Canadian ones. This likely comes down to a higher volume of bets taken, meaning that they can still make a profit at slightly higher odds.
• Access throughout the country – All provinces can access offshore betting sites. There are still restrictions on Canadian sportsbooks in some provinces, which means that these are way more accessible.
• Better bonuses – Offshore betting sites have bigger and better bonuses. Wagering requirements aren’t as strict and we found that not only can you claim larger bonuses, but you also get longer to clear them before they expire.

Our Criteria for Choosing a Top Hockey Betting Site

The process to choose the best hockey betting sites is a long one. However, we’ve included a few pointers that we use in our decision-making process. It’s not necessarily a case that our number one pick will be best suited for all, so you can apply your own selection criteria from the information below.

Range of Hockey Bets

The range of bets that you can choose from is the easiest place to start. More is not always better, but generally, the bigger sportsbooks have the most choice. The range of markets and types of games that you can access plays a big role.

Choice of Hockey Events

The NHL will be the main lure for most Canadians, but there are plenty of leagues that are played around the world that you can access with most sites. The best leagues include the likes of Sweden, England, Germany, and Norway. You’ll also get access to smaller Canadian leagues, such as the CHL with better sportsbooks.

Bonus & Promotions

All offshore hockey betting sites will have some form of a welcome bonus. Take note of the wagering requirements and the time you have to clear the bonus. For most, a lesser wagering will far outweigh a bigger bonus.

Safety & Security

Licensing is one of the first areas that we check. We look at the type of license that they hold and the jurisdiction that the license is held. Some aren’t worth the paper they are written on, but all of the hockey betting sites that we’ve listed on this page have excellent licensing and security records.

Payment Methods

Getting money in and out of a sportsbook needs to be fast and ideally, free. Most sites have a plethora of banking options these days, with cryptocurrency quickly becoming the payment method of choice for most. Visa, Mastercard, eWallets, checks, and bank wire are popular alternatives.

Customer Support

Being able to access a support team around the clock is imperative. Live chat is the easiest way to do this, but any email address or contact form usually works well. A reply within 24 hours is considered to be good.

How to Sign Up and Bet on Hockey

We’ve used our top pick as the best hockey betting site in Bodog to walk you through how to register an account. The process will only take a couple of minutes, although you may need to verify your account when it comes to withdrawing money.

1)   Open Account

To place a bet, you need an account. Head to the Bodog sportsbook and click on the “Join” button in the top right corner.

2)   Enter Account Information

A pop-up will appear with information that you need to complete. This includes things such as your name, address, email, and password for your account.

3)   Login and Deposit

Now that your account is set up, you can log in. Head to the cashier to then choose your deposit method of choice. Depending on where you are based will depend on the deposit options available to you.  Canadian residents tend to get access to most payment methods, but this might not be the case with all sportsbooks.

4)   Use the Menu to find Hockey

The menu section can be down the left or the top nav bar. All you need to do is find “hockey” and you will open the hockey HUB page.

5)   Place a Bet

Choose the game you want to bet on and then the market. To add a bet to your bet slip click on the odds and then once loaded, enter the stake in your bet slip. Verify the amount and click on “Place Bet”.

How Hockey Betting Works

Most Canadian sportsbooks will use American odds by default, but most Canadian bettors prefer to use the decimal format, which is much easier to understand. You can change between the two based on your preference.

Decimal odds show the implied probability of that result. A bet of 2.0 would be even money and that selection has a 50% chance of winning. Odds of 1.50 will have an implied probability of 66.7% chance of winning.

To determine your returns, you simply multiply your stake by the odds. The table below shows an example of how this will work in an upcoming NHL game.

Single-Game Hockey Betting Explained

You may have heard the term “single-game” bet before, especially if you’re from Canada, what does it mean exactly?

Well, the term is exactly how it sounds. It’s a single bet made on the game. The reason why that’s so important is that a recent change in how betting in Canada works came about in 2021 which changed the rules from only allowing bets of three or more picks (parlay) to allowing a single-game bet.

This Bill is referred to as C-218 and is the driving force being a re-regulated industry in Canada for sports betting. You can now access online sportsbooks in the country that accept pretty much all bets.

Popular Types of Hockey Betting Markets

Hockey betting covers a wide range of markets. We’ve included the more popular ones below, explaining how each works with examples.

Moneyline Bets

The moneyline is where you bet on the outcome of the game. It’s a straight bet with no handicaps or totals applied.

Spread Betting

Spread betting is sometimes referred to as the puck line and applies a handicap to both teams. The handicap is placed to balance out the game by adding or subtracting goals where needed. As you can see from the example below, one team has goals added on to their score (underdog) and one team has goals removed (favorites).

Totals

Totals bets are based on the goals scored in a game. This is a combination of both team’s goals and you need to choose the over or under line set by the sportsbook.

Prop Bets

Prop bets cover anything outside of the three markets mentioned above. They can range massively and are often make or break for the best hockey betting sites as it allows them to differentiate from the crowd.

Futures

Futures are bets that are placed on markets that will complete sometime soon. You’re generally looking within the next 12 months, but it can include markets that are due to be settled within the next week or so. Popular markets are that of the overall Stanley Cup winner in the NHL.

Parlays

Parlays are often referred to as combination bets. This is where you include multiple bets to make one larger bet. You need all selections of a parlay to win and if just one pick lets you down, the whole bet loses. Parlay odds are generated by multiplying each of the odds together to get an overall price.

Hockey Betting Strategies & Systems

In this section, we’ve included a range of strategies and systems that will aid you in making more informed hockey betting picks. These are used by most professional bettors and all successful hockey bettors.

Bankroll Management

It’s a boring one, but if you’re going to make money long germ from hockey betting, you need to apply solid bankroll management. The easiest way to do this is to only have 1% of your overall bankroll on the line for each bet you place.

The reason that this is important is that it’s not impossible to win every bet you place. Practicing good bankroll management will mean that when you do lose (and you will lose sometimes), you won’t have lost everything. In fact, you’ll have lost a tiny amount, which means that you can keep going on the next bet.

Use the Data to Your Advantage

Stats and data should play a huge role in the picks that you make. There are tons of sites that dedicate themselves to huge amounts of data that can allow you to make more informed picks.

The data also helps to open markets aside from simply picking a team to win. For example, the spread might be set at over/under 5.5 goals for a game, but the data states that in the last 5 games, both teams have covered a 7.5 goal spread. This means that you can look at the alternative spread markets for over 7.5 to get higher odds than the lower 5.5 spread.

Fade the Money

The more money that comes in for a team, the lower the odds will be. Popular teams see casual punters place bets because of who the team is, rather than any data or who the opposition is.

As one price goes down, the other goes up. So, when you’ve got a team that’s been heavily backed, the price for their opponent to win has gone up, meaning that the odds are higher than they should be (assuming no bets were placed).

You can use betting exchanges to track how prices are moving, but you can’t bet on the exchange if you’re based in Canada.

Our Top 5 Tips for Betting on Hockey

We’ve included 5 tips that we think are going to help you win more from your hockey bets. Implement these into your next round of picks and you’re going to give yourself every chance of beating the bookies.

Check the Form

The form is the best place to start. This gives an overview of how both teams are playing and then you can see which is playing better. The form should be used as a guide and not gospel, but it’s a great place to start.

Follow Picks

There are tons of hockey betting sites that offer free picks. You can read up on why certain bets have been selected and then compare them to your own research to see if they stack up. You don’t have to use other people’s hockey picks, but you can validate your own selections by doing so.

Use Welcome Bonuses and Free Bets

You need to use a betting bonus as often as you can. We’ve included a huge range of welcome bonuses and promotions on this page which will allow you to claim the money as you bet. If you aren’t betting with some sort of promotion, then you’re leaving money on the table.

Don’t Just Bet on the NHL

It’s common for Canadians to bet on the NHL as this is the biggest hockey league in the world. But, because of its size, it can lack value at times. Look to target other leagues that are less known around the world. Europe has a great range of highly competitive hockey leagues that can offer more value than the NHL.

Biggest Hockey Leagues to Bet on

Hockey is a global sport and there are tons of leagues that you can bet. All the hockey betting sites on this page cover a wide range of leagues, and we’ve listed some of these below.

NHL

The NHL is the biggest and the best league in the world. Its highlight comes in the form of the Stanley Cup which has been running since 1917. It comes packed with 31 teams and hosts thousands of games a season, making for a great betting spectacle.

KHL (Kontinetal Hockey League)

The KHL is some way behind the NHL, but it’s the strongest league outside of North America. The league has 27 teams and a very similar format to the NHL, with a regular season and a postseason. Interestingly, the league gets a lot of former NHL and Canadian hockey players who sign lucrative contracts as a result.

SHL (Swedish Hockey League)

Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Sweden and the SHL is the pinnacle of that sport. The league plays host to 14 teams who take part in a 52-match schedule, including regular season and playoff games. There have been many players representing teams in both the SHL and NHL, making it one of the best feeder leagues in the world.

NCAA

The NCAA is the college version of the NHL in North America. This plays host to the best universities and has the best up-and-coming talent waiting to burst onto the big time. It’s the most common pathway into the NHL and the league is fiercely competitive as a result.

Canadian Hockey Teams to Bet On

Canada has 7 teams that currently play in the NHL. Below we’ve listed those teams with a little more info about who they are and how they formed.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames have been a part of the NHL since 1972. They won the Stanley Cup in 1989 and have made 29 playoff appearances in that time.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have been playing in the NHL since 1979, but they were founded back in 1971. During their time in the NHL, they have managed to win the Stanley Cup five times and are largely considered to be one of the greatest Canadian hockey teams of all time.

Montreal Canadiens

With a staggering 23 Stanley Cups to their name, the Montreal Canadiens are the most successful team from Canada of all time. In fact, this extends beyond Canada, as no other team has won more during the history of the NHL. What’s almost as impressive is that they’ve had 83 playoff appearances, which is also a league record.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team that can get close to Montreal when it comes to Stanley Cup wins, with an impressive 13 to their name. They’ve been in the league since 1917 and play their home games at the Scotiabank Arena, sharing a venue with the Calgary Flames.

Bonuses for Hockey Betting Online

All the hockey betting sites that we’ve mentioned on this page will include some sort of welcome bonus or existing player offer. If you’re new to online betting then these can seem a little confusing, so we’ve broken down how they work in the section below.

Matched Deposit Sign Up Bonuses

The matched deposit offer is the biggest and most common. This is where the sportsbook will match your opening deposit and credit you in the form of a bonus. You then need to wager the bonus a set number of times before you can credit it as cash.

No Deposit Bonus

The no-deposit bonus is where the sportsbook will give you a bonus that does not require a deposit to trigger it. These bonuses will be smaller than the matched deposit offer but given that they don’t require any investment at all, offer huge value.

Free Bets

Some sportsbooks will give you free bets to use on any hockey betting market you choose. These free bets will range in value, but they can be used on all markets. Generally, the player will get to keep any profits from the free bet, but they won’t get the stake amount back.

Bitcoin & Crypto Bonuses

Crypto bonuses are now very common, and they’ve been driven to try and encourage people to bank with crypto payment options such as Bitcoin. Such are sportsbooks keen to get you to use crypto, they offer inflated offers from the generic welcome or deposit bonus.

Reload or Top-Up Bonuses

A reload bonus can be used when the initial deposit bonus has either expired or been cleared. Your second (and sometimes several after that) deposits will trigger another bonus in the form of a deposit match, usually with similar clearing terms.

Risk-Free Bets

Risk-free bets are where the bookmaker will allow you to place a bet and if it loses, they will refund your stake. These are different from free bets because if your bet wins, then you get to keep your original stake as well.

The Best Payment Methods for Hockey Betting

There are tons of payment options that you can choose for hockey betting. Try and find ones that have no fees attached and allow you to claim any of the ongoing welcome or reload bonuses with the sportsbook.

Crypto Betting Options

Crypto is on the rise with online betting and it’s here that you’re going to see the widest range of payment methods on offer. Some sites will accept dozens of different coins, but it’s Bitcoin and Ethereum that are the most popular. You generally find that payments are processed very quickly and you have no fees attached, making it the most attractive payment method right now.

eWallet Betting Options

eWallets include the likes of Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal. They allow you to move money quickly and safely, with most having them linked to more traditional bank accounts. Not all sites accept eWallets these days and you’re unlikely going to be able to claim bonuses if you do decide to deposit with them.

Traditional Payment Methods

Traditional payment methods are still very popular. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and bankers’ checks can be accessed with most sites. Some do include fees, so make sure you check the Ts and Cs before depositing.

Hockey Apps and Mobile Betting

All the hockey betting sites on this page will have a mobile offering of some sort. Offshore sportsbooks use mobile sites instead of dedicated apps. This allows them to bypass app stores and instead allow users to access the mobile version quickly and safely from all phones.

2022/23 Hockey Schedule

The table below highlights some of the more important dates from the world of hockey. We will keep this up to date as leagues start and end.

Betting on Hockey Near Me

Betting in Canada is fully legal and there are betting options available in most provinces. However, there is a distinct lack of brick-and-mortar betting shops, meaning that while it’s possible to bet on hockey near you, it’s not always that straightforward.

It’s for this reason that we encourage people to bet online. Not only do you get more options about what to bet on, but you also get access to better odds, market coverage, and promotions.

The Best Hockey Betting Site in Canada

Bodog has been voted as our top pick for hockey betting in Canada. The sportsbook covers leagues from across North America and into Europe, with games hosting dozens of markets to bet on.

The sportsbook has consistently offered the best betting lines, along with some fantastic promotions for both new and existing customers. Bodog allows access on the go via its mobile betting site, a wide range of no-fee payment options, and superb customer support on hand around the clock.