Canada

While we can trace the history of sports betting in Canada back over 600 years ago, we can narrow it down to 1892. Around this time, the government banned all forms of gambling apart from horse race betting. Punters could only place bets on horse races at county fairs until 1969, when legislators amended the Canadian Criminal Code. This amendment allowed federal and provincial governments to run lotteries supporting good causes, such as charities.

In the early 1990s, provincial governments gave the green light to betting in sports lotteries like Sports Action and Proline. However, the amended criminal code only allowed parlay/multi-game betting. This restriction was the norm until August 2021, when the Canadian federal government passed the C-218 bill, allowing single-game sports betting nationwide. Still, individual provinces were free to legalize or not legalize it.

Canada has one of the most flexible policies among the nations where betting is legal. CA citizens can bet on pretty much any sports or event offered on sportsbooks' websites and apps, including eSports and horse racing. With the wide range of operators available, the high number of sports betting events is hardly surprising. Besides, players can opt for in-person or virtual betting.

In addition, DFS is also legal in every Canadian province.

The state of sports betting & gambling in Canada today

• February 28, 2025: Canada is set for a big poker season this spring with major tournaments on the way. The WSOP Circuit Event returns to Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto from April 10-22, while Chris Moneymaker’s Tour makes its Canadian debut at Playground in Kahnawake from May 7-20, featuring a $1.4M guaranteed prize pool.

• February 24, 2025: Canada clinched the 4 Nations Face-Off title with a 3-2 OT win over the U.S., in what became the most-bet hockey game in legal betting history. BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel reported record-breaking wagers, while DraftKings saw its highest hockey betting handle ever. Caesars and ESPN BET reported that the 4 Nations final nearly broke their betting records, trailing only the 2024 Stanley Cup Final but still posting huge mid-February numbers.

• February 20, 2025: With Canadian elections approaching, BetMGM Canada opens political betting markets. As of Feb 19, Mark Carney (-5000) is the heavy favorite to succeed Justin Trudeau, while Chrystia Freeland (+1200), former finance minister, is seen as his top challenger. Former House leader Karina Gould follows in the odds race.

• February 6, 2025: Bodog faces legal trouble in Manitoba as the MBLL seeks to block the betting operator for violating provincial gaming laws. The MBLL argues that Bodog.eu and Bodog.net undermine its monopoly, as Manitoba only permits betting through PlayNow.com.

• January 31, 2025: PointsBet’s Q2 revenue remained flat as Canada’s 10.5% decline offset Australian growth. Sports betting net win dropped 22.5% to C$3.1M, despite a 30.2% rise in player spending. iGaming fell 1.6% to C$6.3M, with spending up 19.9%, while net win margins shrank across both sectors.

• January 7, 2025: Justin Trudeau’s resignation ignites political betting market in Canada, with Polymarket, BetMGM, and FanDuel seeing a surge in wagers on Canada’s next PM and election timing. Odds strongly favor Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives, with Polymarket giving him a 91% chance of winning.

As said earlier, Canada has some of the most lenient gambling policies, as Canadians can freely wager on casino games, poker, lotteries, and bingo games, just to name a few, both online and in-person. Sweepstake casinos and social sportsbooks are also legal to play if you prefer them over real money gambling.

In addition to these, online poker is also fully legal in Canada. Poker enthusiasts can even find tons of different games in retail casinos and dedicated poker rooms due to the relaxed gambling legislation.

The Psychology of Canadian Sports Bettors: How Cultural Values Shape Wagering Habits

Canadian sports bettors take a more calculated approach than their thrill-seeking American neighbors, favoring smart, strategic wagers over wild parlays. While U.S. gamblers often chase big payouts, Canadians prefer a steady game plan—unless, of course, their favorite team is involved.

Canadians are loyal people, even when it comes to betting. They are rooting for their home team in ups and downs, placing bets that are highly against the odds. Maple Leafs may not be the fan's favorite for the upcoming game, but still, they get a fair share of placed bets for them. This emotional attachment may bring hefty winnings from time to time, even though, in general, this kind of behavior is irrational.

Responsible gambling is another key factor in Canada. Features like deposit limits and self-exclusion tools help curb problem gambling, contributing to lower gambling addiction rates compared to other countries. Available tools can affect crucially when Canadian punters are choosing the next sportsbook.

As the industry evolves, so will Canadian betting habits. With younger generations embracing new sports and betting formats, the landscape is set to become even more dynamic in the years ahead.

How many hockey pucks can you buy with a single casino jackpot? (The ultimate Canadian question)

In Canada, few things matter more than hockey and money—and sometimes, those two worlds collide. Say you hit it big at a Canadian casino and win a $1 million jackpot. The real question is: How many hockey pucks could you buy with your newfound fortune?

Let's crunch the numbers. A standard NHL hockey puck costs around $1.50 to $2.00 CAD at retail prices. However, if you're buying in bulk (as one does when stacking pucks like Scrooge McDuck), you can get them for as low as $1.25 per puck.

With $1 million, you could purchase 800,000 regulation-size hockey pucks. That's enough to:

• Build a solid puck wall taller than the CN Tower.

• Supply every single minor hockey team in Canada for a season.

• Create the world's most dangerous fort (not recommended).

But let's take it further. A single Zamboni—the machine responsible for making ice smoother than a baby's butt —costs around $150,000 to $250,000. That means your casino jackpot could buy four Zambonis, or, alternatively, a fleet of 1,600,000 mini plastic table hockey pucks for the ultimate basement tournament.

At the end of the day, the real winner here is Canada—because whether you're betting on hockey, playing at the casino, or hoarding a mountain of pucks, you're keeping the spirit of the game alive.