The first thing you need to know is how football betting sites work and what you can do on them. Basically, these are real-money online sportsbooks in Canada where you can create an account, deposit money, and place real CAD wagers on sporting events, including football competitions like the CFL and NFL. There aren’t any football-only betting sites today, as all sportsbooks instead diversify their offering across multiple genres.
For example, at one of my recommended sites, bet365, you can bet on the CFL, NBA, MLS, European soccer, and Grand Slam tennis. But football remains a core sport at these sites, and you can sometimes even live-stream some events and enjoy in-play betting.
If you’re interested in making an online football bet, you must register an account at one of the sites. Real money betting isn’t possible at Canadian sportsbooks without one. I’ve registered at hundreds of sportsbooks in my time, and the process is always straightforward:
- Open a sportsbook by using one of the banners on this page
- Find and click the register, sign up, or join now button
- Follow the instructions and provide the needed details
- Accept terms and conditions if needed
- Complete the registration process
- Verify your email or phone number if needed
You should be able to get started in minutes. After that, it’s a case of logging in to your account and making your first CAD deposit using one of the available deposit methods.
With your account set up and your balance credited with some CAD, you can place your first bet! I recommend researching the different football betting options first and getting to grips with how the site works before you start spending money, though.
When you are ready, head to the relevant football betting section, such as a CFL match between the Stampeders and Roughriders. You should be able to click on the match or expand it to view all the betting options. Pick the option you want, and click on the odds for the selection you want to make - this will add your selection to your bet slip. You can then enter your betting amount in the bet slip and confirm your wager - easy!
As with
basketball betting sites, I don’t think there’s any such thing as the perfect football betting site. Most sportsbooks have some small drawbacks, and this is outlined in the pros and cons summary here:
Pros and Cons
- Live betting is available
- CFL and NFL games covered
- Live streaming might be accessible
- Mobile apps are usually available
- CFL coverage might not be as good as NFL
- Other sports might take prominence
Some of the top football betting sites are better than others, and I believe there are five core features you need to look at when picking which sportsbooks to try.
A Gambling License
Canadian football betting sites must have a gambling license issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario or the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. This is a must! Please don’t try to use an unlicensed sportsbook. Doing so is not only against the law, but it opens you up to being scammed with no opportunity for recourse.
Support for the CFL and NFL
The main football tournaments/events you want to bet on as a Canadian will be the CFL and NFL. Once I’ve confirmed that a sportsbook holds a gambling license, I’ll check whether these two competitions are available. I’ll then make sure they support preseason, regular-season, and postseason bets, plus season-award bets if possible.
Multiple Bet Types
The best online football betting sites all give you VARIETY. This is mainly done by the different bet types. I expect Canadian sportsbooks to offer multiple bet types - not just on the winner of a football game. You can see some common examples of bet types I expect to see in this table:
| Bet Type |
Description |
| Outright |
Who will win a football game. |
| Spread |
Range between a set spread such as points margin |
| Line |
Over/under a specific line (value) for a stat like total points. |
| Parlay |
Multiple outright winner selections in one bet. |
| Same Game Parlay |
Multiple props bets from a single game within one bet. |
| Props |
Bets on individual player and team stats. |
Mobile Accessibility
From my experience, the next online football betting sites also offer mobile accessibility. The best experience you can get is from a dedicated mobile app, and I always check for one first.
Customer Support
There should be support methods, including live chat, email, a telephone line, and a help center. I prefer to see when Canada sportsbooks have 24/7 support so you can always speak to someone if you need help.
So you can enjoy online betting and support your favorite CFL and NFL teams, I've done the hard work for you and created a list of 5 recommended sportsbooks below. These are primarily football betting sites, but they are also among the
best betting sites
for different sports for you to dig into.
Bet365 - Best Option for Mobile Play
Bet365: Pros and Cons
- One of the Best Ontario Sportsbooks
- Great Live Streaming
- Iconic & Pleasing Design
- Delayed Availability of New Odds
- Interface Can Feel Outdated
bet365 is usually my top pick, and I’ve been a customer here for a long time now. This sportsbook covers a heap of sports - from soccer to volleyball, but it has all the CFL and NFL betting options I think you could ever need, too. I’ve had many moneyline, spread, and line bets here, and I like that they also have bet builder options, which are basically the same as Same Game Parlays.
If you mainly enjoy football betting on your mobile, you’ll also love the bet365 app. You can get it from the App Store or Google Play Store, and I rate it as one of the
best betting apps
available. It works like a charm, has quick loading speeds, and you don’t lose any of the functionality of the desktop website.
Betano - Best All-Rounder
Betano: Pros and Cons
- Competitive Odds, Especially for Esports
- Extensive Betting Markets
- Recognizable & Pleasing Orange Theme
- Interface Isn't Unique for Some
- Inconsistent Support Experiences
Betano is just a good football betting site. It has all the right features - live betting, lots of sports markets, a well-designed and easy-to-use website, and an accessible mobile app. From my time using Betano Canada, I don’t think it particularly has any standout features, but it’s essentially the jack-of-all-trades - you’ll definitely get a reliable and straightforward football betting experience here, and I think it’s great for beginners.
I do like the CFL football section they have, and the NFL betting variety is fantastic as well. You’ve got college options too for the NCAAF and NCAAB, and once you’ve had your fill of football betting, there are 25+ other sports to browse. Two areas this site excels in after football are soccer and tennis - you can bet on multiple European pro leagues including the EPL and La Liga, plus all the ATP and WTA tournaments and Grand Slam events.
Sports Interaction - Homegrown Alternative
Sports Interaction: Pros and Cons
- Canadian‑Owned & Regulated
- Broad Coverage with Niche Options
- Exceptional Live Betting
- App Issues During Peak Moments
- No Live Streaming Available
If you want to stick with a homegrown Canadian sportsbook, then Sports Interaction is the best option. This is one of the few sportsbooks founded in Canada, and because of this, you will find amazing coverage of the CFL, NFL, and other popular Canadian sports. I’ve always been impressed with the CFL coverage, and I love how they usually have a dedicated betting section for the Grey Cup and the playoffs.
Football and popular Canadian sports are just one aspect of this sportsbook, though. You can also bet on 20+ sports from North America and around the world, including the NBA, MLB, MLS, WNBA, soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, motorsport, and more. It’s got fantastic coverage, and once you dig down into the individual matches, you’ll also see that there’s loads of betting variety. Whether you prefer to make simple outright bets and parlays, or complex same-game multis with lots of prop bets, Sports Interaction has you covered.
BetMGM - Best for NFL Betting
BetMGM: Pros and Cons
- Plenty of Payment Methods
- Premium Black & Gold Design
- Excellent Live Streaming Options'
- Not Many Niche Sports
- Customer Support Can Feel Generic
For NFL betting, BetMGM is often considered one of the better options, and it has been an official NFL partner. You can also make CFL bets here, though on all your favorite teams like the Lions, Roughriders, and Alouettes. I’ve found that the CFL coverage is among the best at BetMGM, and I like how they have started adding futures bets, where you can bet on who you think will win the Grey Cup or the divisional titles.
I think BetMGM is also great from a usability and design standpoint. The desktop website is great for beginners if you’ve never used a sportsbook before, and I think you’ll be able to get to grips with the layout and how the betting system works easily. There is also a BetMGM app available for Android and iOS, and it’s right up there in terms of quality with the bet365 mobile app.
Tooniebet - A Newcomer Worth Watching
ToonieBet: Pros and Cons
- Mobile-compatible website
- Reliable customer service
- Good selection of betting markets
- Limited live streaming options
When it comes to new football betting sites, look no further than Tooniebet. This sportsbook has recently launched, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite Canadian sportsbooks. The site design is fantastic, and it’s got a simple primary navigation that lets you get to the main North American pro leagues, including the CFL and NFL, in a few clicks.
Speaking of football, you’ve got all the matches from both leagues, and this spans the regular season and postseason. I like how they offer a solid range of prop bets for different matches, such as total points, over/under points, player touchdowns, rushing yards, first downs, and a whole host of player stats you can bet on. Tooniebet also supports other popular Canadian sports, including ice hockey, baseball, rugby, and soccer.
Football betting sites for Canadian residents are amazing! The great thing about sportsbooks like BetMGM, Betano, Tooniebet, Sports Interaction, and bet365 is that betting on CFL and NFL games is just one thing you can do. They also usually double as
baseball betting sites
and offer heaps of other sports, such as basketball, ice hockey, boxing, tennis, soccer, and golf.
So, if you want to get in on the action and are raring to go for the next CFL and NFL season, why not sign up for one of our recommended sites and give them a try? All you need to do is click one of the links or banners we have on this page, and you’ll get taken to the related site - you can then complete your registration and get started.
The Sportsbooks We Trust the Most
Tooniebet is a relatively new Canadian sportsbook, and it already has a brilliant set of features, including a dedicated NFL and CFL betting section, in-play betting, and a stylish website. I rate this as one of the better new sites to emerge in recent times.
I recommend trying bet365, BetMGM, Sports Interaction, Betano, and Tooniebet. These are all fantastic Canadian sports betting sites that have some of the best NFL and CFL coverage I’ve found.
Yes. The best sites allow real-money deposits in CAD and sometimes in USD. You can then use your CAD to place real-money bets on football games. If your selections come in, your payout is equal to the odds of the bet, multiplied by your original bet amount.
Easy - they facilitate making online bets on your favorite football matches from the NFL, CFL, and college football. You can make the best use of Canadian Dollars, and have the chance of winning CAD in return if your bet comes in.
Gamble Responsibly
Playing at online sportsbooks, real money casinos, and sweepstakes sites should always be safe and enjoyable. Keep control of your activity by following
responsible gambling
guidelines such as:
Set a Budget:
Decide on a budget you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Once it’s gone, stop playing.
Don’t Chase Losses:
Trying to recover losses often leads to overspending.
Play with a Clear Head:
Avoid playing under the influence, or when angry, stressed, or tired.
Set Time Limits:
Take breaks and ensure gambling doesn’t cut into time with family or friends.
Know Your Stuff:
Learn the rules, bet types, odds, and payouts before playing to avoid mistakes.
Make use of features like budget limits and self-exclusion.
If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:
Advertiser disclosure
