The most popular sports to bet on In Canada

Canadian sports betting generates billions in wagers each year, with basketball leading as the most wagered sport despite Canada having only one NBA team. Ontario’s regulated market recorded $3.4 billion in sports betting wagers during Q3 2024-25, marking a 32% increase from the previous year. The data from iGaming Ontario provides concrete insights into which sports Canadians prefer when placing bets.

Basketball Commands the Canadian Betting Market

Basketball attracts more Canadian bettors than any other sport, according to iGaming Ontario’s official reports. The Toronto Raptors generate substantial betting volume, but Canadian bettors place most of their basketball wagers on American teams. Regular-season NBA games draw consistent betting action from October through April, with playoff betting extending into June. Canadian sportsbooks like Sports Interaction and Pinnacle report higher basketball betting volumes than hockey during peak NBA season.

The demographic breakdown shows men comprise 56% of online bettors in Canada, with sports betting showing an even wider gap where men represent 96% of participants compared to women at 4%. Basketball betting follows these patterns, with male bettors placing larger average wagers on NBA games than on local hockey matches.

Hockey Betting Spans Multiple Leagues

Seven NHL teams give Canadian bettors extensive hockey options at domestic sportsbooks. The Edmonton Oilers attracted heavy betting interest during their 2024 Stanley Cup Final run against the Florida Panthers. Edmonton forced a Game 7 after falling behind 3-1 in the series before losing the championship. Oilers games consistently produce high-scoring totals, making over/under bets particularly active during regular-season games.

Beyond the NHL, Canadian bettors wager on international hockey leagues, including Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, Finland’s Liiga, and the Swedish Hockey League. Olympic hockey and World Championship tournaments generate concentrated betting activity when they occur. Futures betting on Stanley Cup winners remains active throughout the season, with Edmonton drawing consistent action for the 2024-25 championship.

Regional Betting Patterns Across Canadian Provinces

Provincial data reveals distinct betting preferences across Canada that shape local markets. Quebec leads with 69% of residents participating in gambling activities, while Saskatchewan and Manitoba report around 50% participation rates. These regional differences extend beyond participation rates to actual betting choices, with Ontario’s regulated market providing the clearest picture of sports betting in Canada through its comprehensive reporting system that tracks $3.4 billion in sports wagers during Q3 2024-25.

Hockey dominates western provinces, where teams like the Edmonton Oilers attract heavy futures betting, particularly for Stanley Cup odds. Eastern provinces show more balanced betting between hockey and basketball, with Ontario bettors placing substantial wagers on the Toronto Raptors alongside NHL action. Quebec bettors split their money between local teams and international soccer leagues, while Atlantic provinces concentrate on hockey and baseball during the summer months when NHL betting slows down.

Soccer and International Sports Draw Growing Interest

Soccer betting increases each year as Canadian sportsbooks expand their international coverage. Major European leagues, including the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A receive substantial wagering from Canadian bettors. World Cup years see soccer betting volumes spike dramatically, while Champions League matches maintain steady betting interest from September through May.

Cricket and rugby attract niche but dedicated betting communities, particularly in areas with larger immigrant populations from Commonwealth countries. These sports account for smaller percentages of total betting volume but show consistent growth patterns year over year.

Market Structure and Operator Competition

Fifty operators run 83 gaming websites in Ontario’s Q3 2024-25 period, creating intense competition for betting market share. Major sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, BetMGM, and Sports Interaction compete for Canadian bettors. Sports Interaction operates as one of Canada’s oldest sportsbooks, while bet365 brings extensive international reach to the Canadian market.

BetMGM claims 22% market share, though iGaming Ontario does not release operator-specific data. The competitive environment benefits bettors through improved odds, promotional offers, and expanded betting markets across all sports. Operators pay Ontario’s government a 20% tax rate on gaming revenue plus $100,000 annual licensing fees.

Seasonal Patterns Shape Betting Volumes

Betting volumes fluctuate based on sports seasons and major events. Q1 2024-25 saw $2.5 billion in sports wagers compared to $2.2 billion in Q2, demonstrating how seasonal sports calendars affect betting activity. Hockey betting peaks from October through June, while football betting concentrates from September through February’s Super Bowl.

Baseball provides consistent summer betting options when hockey ends. The Toronto Blue Jays generate substantial betting interest during their season, supplemented by wagers on American MLB teams. Golf majors, tennis Grand Slams, and boxing matches create periodic betting surges throughout the year.

Monthly active player accounts averaged 997,000 during Q3 2024-25, with average spending reaching $277 per account. March 2024 data showed 1.1 million active accounts generating $278 average revenue each, indicating stable engagement levels across seasons.

Financial Performance Metrics

Ontario’s regulated sports betting market generated $166 million in gaming revenue during Q3 2024-25, representing 20% of total gaming revenue. This marks a 25% increase from Q3 of the previous year. Total gaming revenue across all betting types reached $3.20 billion for fiscal 2024-25, the highest since Ontario launched regulated betting.

Sports betting revenue climbed 23% to $724 million for the full fiscal year. Monthly performance shows consistent growth, with March generating $47.9 million in betting revenue, part of $294.8 million total monthly gaming revenue. Since market launch on April 4, 2022, Ontario has processed $158.54 billion in total wagers, generating $6.134 billion in gaming revenue.

Conclusion

Basketball leads Canadian sports betting despite limited domestic teams, while hockey maintains strong betting interest across multiple leagues. Ontario’s transparent reporting reveals $3.4 billion in Q3 2024-25 sports wagers with consistent growth patterns. Male bettors dominate at 96% participation compared to 4% female participation in sports betting specifically.

Provincial differences create varied betting preferences, from Quebec’s 69% gambling participation to Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s 50% rates. The market continues expanding with 50 operators competing for Canadian bettors across basketball, hockey, soccer, and seasonal sports throughout the year.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling carries risks, so you should only play within your means. If you’re struggling with a gambling addiction, reach out for help from a professional at the National Gambling Helpline through this phone line: 1-626-960-3500. All gambling websites and guides on this website are 19+. Check your local laws to ensure online gambling is legal in your area. Not valid in Ontario.

Check these websites for free gambling addiction resources.
https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga
https://www.cprg.ca/
https://www.responsiblegambling.org/

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