There is no shortage of sportsbooks that offer football odds in Canada but finding the one with the best odds and top features is just as satisfying as winning your bet in the last seconds of the fourth quarter.
We’ve curated a list of the best football betting sites for Canadians by focusing on overall quality—competitive betting odds, wide league coverage, betting features, live streams, bonuses, apps, and more. In this article, we also talk about the most popular types of bets and leagues such as the CFL, NFL, and NCAA, so let’s get started.
Finding the best online football betting sites available to Canadians isn’t just about which site has the longest list of leagues but rather about providing you with an overall reliable betting experience. With that in mind, we’ve evaluated key features to make sure each sportsbook covered here is up to our standards.
League Coverage
A top betting site must offer extensive coverage across major sports leagues. While the Canadian Football League (CFL) holds notable importance, bettors are also interested in international leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) and college football (NCAA). We find the extent of the coverage to be essential because it means more betting options, diverse betting markets, and year-round betting opportunities.
Competitive Odds
No amount of leagues can make up for poor odds, which is why it’s our goal to ensure that players receive the best value for their wagers. Many leading Canadian betting sites also offer enhanced betting lines for CFL and NFL games—and in return, we rank them higher.
Customized Bets
Being able to create your own bet allows you to take a more strategic approach to betting. The Bet Builder lets Canadian sports bettors mix multiple betting markets in a single wager, creating a higher potential win. This feature is usually paired with proposition bets which makes it suitable for avid sports fans, such as picking out the first player to score a touchdown and total passing yards for a quarterback.
Live Streaming
The best betting sites for football offer live streams of the games to enhance the user experience. We often look at live streaming and live betting hand in hand, because it helps players engage with real-time betting odds.
Betting Features
A betting site isn’t complete without the best wagering features. We’re talking about live betting, early cash-out, bet builders, odds converters, virtual football, and live streaming, allowing for a more dynamic and interactive way to bet on sports. You could be into single-game betting during the Super Bowl or creating a parlay for an entire CFL weekend, having access to advanced betting options ensures you get the best value for your bucks.
Early Cashout
Speaking of early cashouts, we find it’s important for players to have higher flexibility, and securing winnings or minimizing their losses is surely part of it. This is an online sports betting option that you won’t find in all Canadian sports sites, but our top recommendations beg to differ.
Fantasy Football
The best online football betting sites are a notch better when they also include fantasy football as part of their betting options. Fantasy football lets players draft virtual teams, compete based on real-life player performances, and participate in daily or season-long contests. The option to draft a Super Bowl lineup or compete in a CFL fantasy league is a great addition to online sports gambling.
What Makes a Great Football Betting Site
An operator must tick a lot of boxes to find its way on the list of top football betting sites in Canada. Once the team establishes that all the bare necessities are met, we look for the most sought-after features by users: extensive coverage, live bets, and mobile apps.
Coverage
Prominent football betting sites in Canada should boost extensive league coverage and a great variety of betting markets. NFL and CFL odds are the bare minimum, while odd coverage for the NCAA, XFL, and USFL elevates the experience. Couple this with international competitions like the European League of Football (ELF), and you get an all-arounder. The bigger the coverage, the longer the season lasts—from the Super Bowl to the Grey Cup.
What’s more, a quality sportsbook has to provide moneylines, point spreads, over/under, and prop bets. Parlays and live betting options are a huge plus, but it’s important to note that they are not properly regulated in all Canadian provinces. Futures betting, like wagering on the next Super Bowl champion or CFL Grey Cup winner, is another feature that brings value.
So, when considering a sportsbook, check if it covers both major and niche leagues, provides detailed betting options, and offers competitive odds across all markets.
Live Betting
Live betting may not be everyone’s jam, but no one can deny that it has transformed sports wagering. This is one of the most important features if you’ve noticed an important shift while watching the match.
Betting options include which team will score next, adjusted point spreads, and player props based on in-game performance. Besides real-time betting lines, a great sports betting site for Canucks should offer fast updates and an intuitive interface. We wouldn’t overlook the last part, because you don’t want to spend more than a few seconds figuring out which button to tap while the match unfolds.
Some of the best online betting sites in Canada integrate live streaming directly within their betting platform, allowing players to watch the game and place bets without switching screens. We like it best when there are quick bet placements.
When choosing your sports betting platform, test how responsive their live betting section is, ensuring quick bet confirmation and accurate live odds.
Mobile Apps
Unless you’re running out of storage, we see no reason why you’d pick to use a browser over a sportsbook mobile app. Regardless of whether you’re a novice or a seasoned bettor, the convenience is really unmatched. You can place wagers, track bets, and cash out winnings with ease, but also enjoy fast navigation, full betting market access, live betting options, and secure transactions.
When assessing a football mobile betting app, we suggest you check how responsive it is and whether you can customize the notifications. A reliable sports betting app should have low latency, ensuring that live bets can be placed without delays.
Good to keep in mind that new football betting sites might not release native apps on the get-go, but you could expect one later on.
How to Bet on Football
Online football betting is a simple process that requires only a few steps:
The first step is to pick a football betting site. For guaranteed security, reliability, and performance, we suggest you look up our list of top football operators above and pick one to sign up with.
The next step is to create an account. This is usually a multi-step process that you can finish in two to three minutes by providing your full name, home address, phone number, DOB, etc.
The fun part comes next, and that’s picking out the available bonus offers. If multiple are available, we suggest going for the one with a lower rollover.
Then, it’s time to make a deposit. Head to the Cashier, select your preferred payment method, enter the amount you want to deposit (minding the minimum required), and finalize the transaction.
Once your balance is loaded, it’s time to take a look at the leagues and games you want to bet on. Tap on a game of your choice.
Next, choose your sports betby tapping on the offered odds.
Select the amount you want to bet and place your bet.
If you’ve got it right and the game is over, it’s time to collect your winnings. You can do so by heading to the Cashier again and sending a withdrawal request.
Most Common Football Bet Types
Sports wagering comes with many bet types, especially for such a popular sport. No matter the league, knowing the different sports betting options is key to smart choices. Below, we break down the most common football betting markets:
Moneyline: This is the simplest form of sports wagering—betting on which team will win the game. Let’s say the Toronto Argonauts are playing the BC Lions. The Argos have odds of -150, which means they are the favourites. If you bet $150 on them and they win, you’d make a $100 profit. On the other hand, the Lions are the underdogs at +200, so a $100 bet on them would win you $200 if they pull off the upset.
Points Spread: This type of bet levels the playing field by giving the underdog a head start, which in turn requires the favourite to win by a certain margin. In this case, if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are -6.5 against the Calgary Stampeders, they must win by at least 7 points for a bet on them to cash. If Calgary loses by 6 or fewer points—or wins outright—then a bet on them (+6.5) would be successful.
Props: Also known as proposition bets, these are centred around specific events within a game. There are two main types: team-based and player-based props. Some examples are wagering on whether Zach Collaros will throw over or under 300 passing yards in a game, or whether Chad Kelly will score a rushing touchdown. The options here are almost endless.
Points Total: Also called over/under, these allow you to wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number. If the total for a CFL game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Elks is 48.5, and the final score is 30-20, then the over wins because there are 50 points in total. If the score is 27-17, then the under wins.
Parlays: This is a combination of multiple bets. The odds multiply with each bet you add, so the potential payout naturally rises—but so does the risk. To win a parlay, you must get all selections right. An example would be to bet on the Montreal Alouettes to win, the CFL Grey Cup total to go over 50.5 points, and the Toronto Argonauts to cover -3.5 in the same bet. If one of these slips, you’ve got a losing bet.
Futures: These are long-term bets that involve outcomes regarding division or tournament winners. For instance, betting on the BC Lions to win the Grey Cup before the season starts or placing a wager on who will be named CFL’s Most Outstanding Player. Since these bets are placed months in advance, the odds are typically higher, bringing bigger potential winnings.
Popular Football Leagues in Canada
It’s not news that football is one of the most popular sports among CA bettors, but you’ll be happy to hear that the expansion of legal sports betting has opened up access to multiple football leagues. Whether it’s Canadian football or American leagues, the best football betting sites in Canada offer a wide range of sports betting markets.
The NFL and CFL dominate the sports betting landscape, attracting thousands of wagers weekly, but there are many more options to bet online. Below, we break down the most popular leagues in the country.
NFL
The NFL is undoubtedly the most popular football league, drawing millions of wagers every season. With 32 teams, a 17-game regular season, and a playoff system leading to the Super Bowl, the NFL provides tons of betting options.
Canadian sportsbook operators offer moneylines, point spreads, totals, parlays, prop bets, and live betting for every NFL game. One of the most exciting aspects of NFL betting is the ability to wager on player props, such as how many passing yards Patrick Mahomes will throw or whether Josh Allen will score a rushing touchdown.
NFL games also feature massive betting promotions, such as boosted odds, risk-free bets, and Super Bowl specials.
CFL
The professional football league of Canada features nine teams competing for the Grey Cup. While it does share similarities with the NFL, the CFL has unique rules. We’re talking about the larger field, three downs instead of four, and a 20-second play clock, which results in a faster-paced game.
Online sportsbooks typically offer moneyline, spreads, over/under, and prop bets for every game. Live betting is also a major draw, as the CFL’s fast tempo creates exciting in-game wagering opportunities.
The Grey Cup, held in November, is one of the biggest sports betting events in the country, often bringing exclusive promos.
NCAA
While college football isn’t played at a professional level in the Great White North, many Canadians follow the NCAA, particularly during the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season. With over 130 Division I teams, NCAA football provides one of the largest football betting markets in the US.
Betting on the NCAA means access to diverse betting options, from regular-season matchups to the National Championship. Many bettors bet on conference winners, Heisman Trophy odds, and individual game props like over/under totals for quarterbacks.
If you enjoy betting on football, NCAA games offer some of the best value bets due to less predictable outcomes compared to the professional leagues.
Honourable Mentions
Once the NFL and CFL seasons are over, players can explore the following leagues:
XFL: Relaunched in 2020, the XFL is a spring football league. While it features NFL-style rules, it also introduces fun changes, such as fewer timeouts, unique kickoff formations, and an exciting point-after-touchdown system.
USFL: The USFL is another spring football league providing a variety of betting options when major leagues are in their off-season. With eight teams, a 10-week regular season, and a fast-paced game style, the USFL is a solid choice for football bettors looking for additional action.
Top Events for Canadian Bettors
There are three football events that generate the highest betting volume among Canucks:
Super Bowl: The Super Bowl is the biggest football betting event even across the border, with millions of dollars wagered on moneylines, spreads, totals, and props. The game features an endless list of Super Bowl prop bets, from coin toss outcomes to how long the national anthem will last. If we were you, we’d keep an eye out for the Super Bowl specials.
Thanksgiving Games: Both the NFL and CFL host Thanksgiving games, which are another highlight for football fans. The NFL’s Thanksgiving matchups feature some of the most historic rivalries, while the CFL Thanksgiving Classic offers great betting opportunities.
NFL International Series: The NFL International Series includes games played outside the United States, such as in London, Mexico City, Melbourne, São Paulo, and Germany. These games create a unique wagering experience and varying odds, as teams often struggle with travel adjustments and unfamiliar venues.
Can You Claim Football Betting Bonuses and Promos
Not only are most sports promos compatible with football bets but there are many football-exclusive offers tied to particular games or championships. We’ll go over the most popular types of bonus bets and help you find the ones that suit your betting style.
Welcome Bonus
You’ll find a sign up bonus at all Canada football betting sites, as it’s a promo that’s available to all newly registered players. The type of the deal depends on the sportsbook itself, but you can expect either a risk-free bet or a deposit match. A typical example would be a 100% deposit match bonus up to $200. There’s no reason why anyone should skip an offer like this one.
Free Bet
A free bet means you get to wager on the house. This bonus comes with a fixed amount and has specific instructions on how you can use it, which usually includes sports markets and minimum odds. Let’s say you get $10 in free bet after placing a qualifying wager. You can then use the free bet on a CFL moneyline bet, and if you win, the original free bet amount won’t be included in your payout.
No Deposit Bonus
No deposit bonuses are similar to free bet promos, but they come with fewer restrictions. Think of receiving $10 that you can use for multiple bets on a variety of games that meet the minimum odds requirements. The downside is that no deposit promos usually come with higher rollover and are only found at a few popular betting operators.
Risk-Free Bet
A risk-free bet acts as a safety net, refunding your stake if your first bet loses, usually in the form of bonus credits. It’s a great offer for new players who want to bet on sports without worrying about losing their funds. Let’s say you get a $50 risk-free bet as a new user. That means if you bet $50 on the Toronto Argonauts to win and they lose, you’ll receive your $50 back. Just note that these refunds often come with playthrough requirements.
Boosted Odds
Boosted odds are increased payout potentials for specific bet types or specific sports events. This gives you a better return in case you get it right. You can expect to find online betting services that offer enhanced odds for major football events, such as the Super Bowl. These are great deals for anyone, as they up the potential reward, while the risk stays the same.
Online Football Betting in Canada is Thriving
Football betting in Canada has never been more accessible or rewarding. With the rise of legal sports betting sites in Canada, players can get their hands on all popular football leagues, from the NFL and CFL to the NCAA, XFL, and USFL. Whether you prefer pre-game bets, live betting, or fantasy football, top-tier sportsbooks offer competitive betting odds and innovative features to enhance your experience. We’ve selected secure and regulated betting platforms that offer payment options and an ever-expanding selection of leagues and bet types. Pick one and place your wagers on the Super Bowl, Grey Cup, or a Saturday NCAA showdown.
Football Betting Sites in Canada FAQs
You will find a variety of bonus offers at the best sports betting sites that accept Canadian players. Keep in mind all promotions come with specific T&Cs, such as minimum odds, wagering requirements, expiry date, and max winning caps.
Almost any online platform will let you set the format to American, decimal, or fractional odds. Decimal odds are the most common type in Canada. A 2.50 odds means a $1 bet returns $2.50 in total. American odds of -150 mean you’ve got to bet $150 to win $100. Alternatively, +200 odds mean you win $200 on the underdog with a $100 bet. Fractional odds of 5/1 mean you win five bucks for every $1 wagered.
The simplest football bet that you’ll find at any sports betting operator is the moneyline bet. This type of wager simply allows you to bet on which team will win the game.
Over/under, also known as +/-, is a common bet type that sports betting sites offer. You’ll find it at any betting site in Canada, and it’s a number that represents the predicted total points. You can bet on whether the teams will go over or under this predetermined number.
You’ll find odds for the most popular football leagues in all legal and regulated sportsbooks available in Canada. You can use this article to find the best football sites that have extensive coverage and competitive odds.
Football is one of the best sports to wager on since there are many betting markets to choose from. This has been the most popular sport among users since sports betting became legal in Canada.
The top football betting sites offer competitive odds, an array of betting options, live betting, fantasy sports, fast payouts, and mobile apps, among many other features. Our top pick is easily one of the best sportsbooks on the market.
