The pros and cons of using esports betting websites revealed
- Bet on your favorite esports
- Enjoy boosted odds at big events
- Claim esports-friendly bonuses
- Withdraw to trusted payment options
- Provincial licensing laws apply
Esports betting in Canada – is it legal?
Guess what? The Great White North has seen some pretty significant changes in terms of betting laws in recent years, meaning the situation today is complicated.
I won’t hit you with paragraph on paragraph of legalese, but in a nutshell, a Bill introduced in 2021 (Bill C-218) granted Canadian provinces and territories the right to set their own rules in regard to online betting. And since then, they have. Or at least, some of them have.
Today, esports betting in Canada is good-to-go in regions that regulate their own iGaming markets, basically. However, it’s absolutely pivotal you only ever place bets with sites that:
- Have a provincial license.
- Offer SSL encryption.
- Promote responsible gambling.
- Support trusted payment options.
I’ll talk a little more about why later on, but basically, it all boils down to this – if a betting site isn’t licensed, it isn’t safe for you to bet there.
What games can Canadians bet on at legal esports betting websites?
Bettors based in British Columbia to Ontario, and many places in between, can legally enjoy esports betting sites so long as said sites are locally licensed. But what popular esports games and tournaments are up-for-grabs with the best betting sites?
Well, on this page, you’ll see banners for both old and
new betting sites in Canada
that are licensed where you live. Navigate through to these brands’ esports pages, and you’re likely to find competitive odds on the following games, with these and other betting options most commonly available:
| Game | Betting options |
| Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) | CS:GO betting options usually revolve around things like map winner, series winner, or even tournament winner. |
| League of Legends (LoL) | Popular LoL bets range from “first blood”, where you can bet on which player kills first, and map-based bets for things like map winner or Most Valuable Player (MVP). |
| FIFA | Usually, you’ll be offered odds on things like a team’s likelihood of winning an individual game, or perhaps an entire tournament come Global Series season. |
| Overwatch | Match winner, moneyline and head to head are all popular betting options. Generally, you’ll be betting on potential winners and losers, again. |
| Call of Duty (CoD) | Like most First Person Shooter (FPS) games, you can bet on anything from match and map winners, to more niche player-based bets on things like headshots and kill counts. |
What payment options do esports betting sites generally accept?
Many esports betting platforms offer more than just esports – depending on your province’s iGaming laws, you might be able to enjoy
US election betting from Canada, or playing at online casino slot games, too.
One thing pretty much every online bookmaker under the sun has in common, though, is that they tend to support a wide range of payment options.
Many of the sites you’ll see mentioned in the banners on this page support traditional debit cards like VISA and MasterCard on deposits and withdrawals. Some also support e-wallets that are popular in Canada, too, including:
- Venmo.
- PayPal.
- Skrill.
- Neteller.
If you’re enjoying esports betting in Canada via a downloadable betting app, there’s a solid chance you’ll also be able to make deposits using:
But a word to the wise – every esports betting site sets its own rules in terms of things like minimum and maximum deposit thresholds. So, while some easy-access betting apps might let you get started with a teeny $5 or $10 CAD deposit, other, more high-roller-oriented brands could require you to drop a deposit exceeding $50 or $100 CAD. Of course, it’s important to be aware of this when selecting a suitable esports betting platform for you.
What are the best esports betting sites right now?
If you’re in Canada, you’re in a pretty good position – because those of you in esports betting-friendly provinces certainly have no shortage of betting options to choose from.
Though of course, the differences in iGaming rules between Canada’s provinces and territories does pose a small problem, as it means bettors in Vancouver will need to choose between completely different betting options than their brothers and sisters over in Ontario.
Fortunately, I’ve some epic news for you guys. Throughout this guide, you’ll see banners for esports betting sites that I can confirm are 100% legally available where you live. How? Well, I’ve tested them out for myself, and have geo-targeted all my banners and lists specifically to suit your location. All the brands you’ll see displayed also offer:
- Competitive esports odds.
- Access to the best esports games.
- State-of-the-art betting features.
The importance of legality, security and responsible gaming when enjoying esports betting in Canada
Betting on anything at all with a platform that’s unlicensed, or one that doesn’t hold the correct license for your province is a big no-no, as we’ve seen. Just don’t do it, yeah? Promise? Good.
But whether you intend to enjoy
live betting on sports
in real-time, or placing advance bets on upcoming CS:GO or COD tournaments, you need to think more about just licensing, and what esports games your desired platforms offer. You see, you also need to consider the importance of:
- Online security.
- Responsible gaming.
Fortunately, finding a site that checks all the right security boxes is dead simple. Just look out for things like SSL encryption and Two Factor Authentication (2FA) in the brand’s T&Cs and Privacy Policy. Better yet, click through to play at the sites I’ve pointed out in my banners – which have already been vetted for their security and licensing by yours truly.
Oh, and don’t forget the importance of responsible gaming. Esports betting in Canada is a ton of fun, but should never be too much fun. Reputable sites should always offer you guys access to:
- Self-exclusion tools.
- Modifiable daily/weekly limits.
- External responsible gaming resources.
- 24/7 customer support.
Take it from an expert – all these features can come in super-handy. On the customer support front, I’d even go as far as suggesting you look out for sites that offer localized telephone hotlines that are available during your typical betting hours, as well as live chat services that support French if you’re from Quebec. Makes total sense, right? But you’d be surprised how many bettors overlook these things…
Conclusion – Canadian esports betting sites should be safe, fun and competitive
Whether you’re a FIFA fanatic or an Overwatch aficionado, the best esports betting platforms for you are probably going to differ, which is why I’ve tried to show a bit of breadth and variety in the banners I’ve highlighted on this page. But ultimately, no matter your preferred esport or strategic approach to esports betting in Canada, there are three key things any site worth a second look ought to offer you. And they are:
- A provincial license.
- Coverage for major esports events.
- Competitive esports odds.
All the sites you’ll see listed in the banners on this page have been hand-picked by yours truly for a reason – and that reason is they each tick all three of these all-important boxes. So, maybe it’s time to meet your match?
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Esports betting sites FAQ
?? Which esports are most popular among online bettors?
CS:GO, FIFA and Overwatch all draw in huge audiences of bettors, particularly at times when big-name tournaments and competitive events start hitting esports stadiums globally. Here on my site, you’ll find banners, lists and reviews of the very best online betting platforms in Canada for esports betting – many of which offer special odds boosts on these very events.
?? Can I bet on esports in Canada legally?
To be honest, this all depends on which province you live in. As a general rule of thumb, you can only bet legally with brands that are properly regulated in your province – meaning any apps you download will need to hold a license from, say, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, for example. Get clued-up on local licensing laws where you live by reading my expert guides to esports betting now.
?? Where can I get esports betting bonuses?
If you’re looking at a Canadian esports betting site, chances are they’ll have a bonus of some kind up-for-grabs – especially if you’re a first-time bettor. Having said that, some bonuses are immensely better than others once you start deconstructing their T&Cs. Check out my bonus comparisons for your region to discover the best esports bonuses in your area today.
