Is Online NFL Betting Legal in Ontario?
Online football betting has been legal across Canada for a long time. However, it was previously accessible via licensed overseas sportsbooks, which were neither outlawed nor specifically green-lit. In other words, they were accessible to Canadian football fans without punishment from the law, but lay in something of a gray area.
While this still stands true for many Canadians, it’s no longer the case in Ontario, where online sports wagering, poker rooms, and casino gambling were legalized formally in 2021. The first NFL sportsbooks went live in Ontario around a year later, in 2022, and there are now 33 to choose from at the time of writing.
For NFL and
college football betting sites
to be legal in Ontario, they must be approved and licensed by iGaming Ontario and the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO). To register and bet on one of these sites, you must be at least 19 years old and physically located within Ontario’s provincial borders.
Here’s a quick summary of the legal status:
| Sports betting: |
Yes ✅ |
| College sports betting: |
Yes ✅ |
| Esports betting: |
Yes ✅ |
| Online casinos: |
Yes ✅ |
| Online poker rooms: |
Yes ✅ |
| Age limit: |
19+ 🔞 |
| Licensing and regulation: |
Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) 🎲 |
| Other relevant official government bodies: |
iGaming Ontario 📱 |
| Remote registration: |
Yes ✅ |
| Number of legal NFL sportsbooks: |
33 🏈 |
Is NFL Crypto Betting Online Legal in Ontario?
Like online sports wagering in general, before the legalization in 2021 in Ontario and the creation of iGaming Ontario, cryptocurrency gambling remains a somewhat gray area. Cryptocurrencies are legal, and online football betting is legal, but the two of them combined are a slightly different story.
The current regulations outlined by iGaming Ontario and the AGCO don’t mention that crypto gambling is banned. However, none of the 33 AGCO-approved sportsbooks offer or accept cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals.
Bottom line:
it’s best avoided until we get further clarification.
Here is a short roundup of the pros and cons of NFL online betting in Ontario, Canada:
Pros and Cons
- Pre-game and live NFL betting are legal
- 33 sportsbooks to pick from
- Provincially regulated in Ontario
- Very few restrictions compared to other North American Markets
- Crypto betting is a gray area
Best NFL Betting Sites Canada: Top 5 Ontario Sportsbooks
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the
best online football betting sites
and apps for NFL fans in Ontario and Canada right now:
| NFL sportsbook 🏈 |
App available 📱 |
App Store rating 🍏 |
Google Play rating ▶ |
Best for 🏆 |
|
Yes ✅ |
4.7 ⭐ |
4.6 ⭐ |
NFL parlays |
|
Yes ✅ |
4.6 ⭐ |
4.2 ⭐ |
NFL props betting |
|
Yes ✅ |
4.6 ⭐ |
3.7 ⭐ |
NFL futures betting |
|
Yes ✅ |
4.6 ⭐ |
4.3 ⭐ |
NFL mobile betting |
|
Yes ✅ |
4.4 ⭐ |
N/A |
The newest NFL betting site |
Bet365 - Best for NFL Parlays
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
For experienced football bettors who like building same-game parlays (SGPs), bet365 is one of the best sportsbooks in Ontario. You can either create your own from the abundance of detailed game, team, and player props available or select one of the pre-made SGPs, of which there are multiple available for every NFL game.
Besides this, bet365 has generally valuable odds and a very highly-rated mobile app for iOS and Android users. Moreover, it’s one of the oldest and longest-running online gambling brands in the world. It started life in the UK, where the company's HQ remains to this day. If you want to balance solid NFL betting options with brand history, longevity, and trustworthiness, this is the betting site for you.
BetMGM - The Top Option for NFL Props 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
One of the great things about football betting in Ontario is that it’s one of the least restricted regions in North America. Player, team, and game props are all legal, and BetMGM offers them in abundance. As well as the usual over/under NFL props, such as TDs, passing yards, and running yards, you can also find player H2H markets and more.
If you’re a complete beginner, the interface on both the BetmGM desktop website and the official mobile app is extremely user-friendly. Moreover, there are some neat finishing touches, such as the official NFL logo, that give the aesthetic an extra air of professionalism.
Sports Interaction - Great for Detailed NFL Futures Markets
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
On most sportsbooks, there are only a couple of throwaway NFL futures markets offered, such as Super Bowl Winner or AFC/NFC Winners. At Sports Interaction, you can find a range of much more detailed futures bets, such as exact finishing positions, Super Bowl finalists and the exact outcome of the Super Bowl.
It’s also a great sportsbook for NFL player props, and most of its pre-game markets are also available for live betting. Moreover, its preseason NFL game props are just the same as those offered during the regular season (again, this is quite rare). Added to all of that, it’s a native Canadian sportsbook brand that’s based right here in Ontario.
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
Most of you reading this probably do at least some of your sports betting on your cell phone or tablet, so a good app is essential. Pretty much all of the sportsbooks that I’ve mentioned so far have amazing apps, most notably bet365 and BetMGM. However, Betano has a ton of cool in-app features that enhance the overall experience.
For example, you can use the Bet Mentor to create NFL betting suggestions that suit your bankroll, preferences, and betting history, among other factors. If you’re not watching the game, you can set up alert notifications to notify you about on-field actions that could impact your wagers. Additionally, the app will let you know once your winning and losing bets have been settled straight after the game has finished.
ToonieBet - The Newest NFL Online Betting Site in Ontario
ToonieBet: Pros and Cons
- Mobile-compatible website
- Reliable customer service
- Good selection of betting markets
- Limited live streaming options
Last but not least, we have one of the newest football sportsbooks to hit the Ontario market: ToonieBet. This is a home-grown Canadian sportsbook with golden maple leaves prevalent in its branding. However, we haven’t selected this out of sheer patriotism and because it’s fresh and fancy.
ToonieBet has plenty to rave about when it comes to NFL gambling, including competitive odds that can challenge the biggest and best sportsbook brands in terms of value. More importantly, it’s one of the few Ontario sportsbooks that offers odds on the NFL Draft, with markets including the first pick.
NFL Betting Sites Reviews - How We Rated These Sportsbooks
Now that we’ve introduced you to the top online sportsbooks for NFL betting, we’d like to give you a bit more insight as to how and why we picked these sites.
With that in mind, here are the top criteria that we consider when rating and reviewing football and
basketball betting sites
in Ontario:
First and foremost, the sportsbook must be licensed and regulated by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario. Additionally, it should, at the very least, have HTTPS and SSL encryption technology. Extras such as a 2FA and OTP login protocols are also favoured.
When using and testing the site, the first three things that we consider are if the site is intuitive to navigate and user-friendly. Additionally, we consider the feel and design to see if the sportsbook looks good and has a strong brand identity.
This is perhaps the most important thing when it comes to football betting: the selection of NFL betting markets. As you saw earlier, the top five sites that we picked have some unique NFL player props, futures, and draft picks markets alongside the usual suspects like moneylines, spreads, and totals.
At the end of the day, football betting is all about finding the best possible value for every wager you place. That’s why we always compare the NFL odds at a sportsbook to their nearest competitors.
Some of the best Ontario sportsbooks will allow you to stream NFL games live if you have an active bet. At the very least, a decent football betting site should have a solid set-up for in-play NFL wagering.
How you fund your account is important, but besides the range of payment methods, such as bank cards, e-wallets, and prepaid cards, we also look at the conditions. Vital things to consider include deposit and withdrawal limits, processing times, and fees.
In an ideal world, things would never go wrong when betting on football, or any other sport, for that matter. However, the reality is that you will inevitably encounter an issue at some point, so it’s essential to be confident that you’re in good hands.
How to Sign Up to an NFL Sportsbook - Step-By-Step
Once you have read our reviews of the top NFL and
NBA betting sites
and picked your ideal sportsbook, here’s how you can get started:
- Visit the site
- Click one of the banners on our review pack to go to the sportsbook’s website
- Download the app
- Download the app from the App Store or Google Play (if you want to bet on mobile)
- Create your account
- Click the “Sign Up” button to open the form
- Account details
- Enter your email address, then create a username and password for your account
- Personal info
- Provide your name, address, and date of birth (must be 19+)
- Read the small print
- Read and accept the Privacy Policy and T&Cs
- Submit the form
- Submit the form to create your NFL betting account
- Get Verified
- upload your photo ID and proof of address documents to get verified
- Deposit funds
- make your first deposit with your payment method of choice
- Start betting
- You're now ready to place your first NFL bet online
Conclusion - Register at One of the Best Online NFL Betting Sites Today
In summary, football betting online is legal and domestically regulated in Ontario. More importantly, there are 33 licensed online sportsbooks to choose from, all of which offer markets on the NFL.
However, the five best are bet365, BetMGM, Sports Interaction, and ToonieBet. We’ve merely given you the tip of the iceberg in this article, though, so we now recommend that you read our experts’ full reviews to find the right sites for you.
Our Standout Sportsbooks
NFL Betting Sites FAQ
🏈 Can You Bet on the NFL in Ontario?
Yes, you can bet on the NFL online in Ontario, as mobile sports wagering has been legal since 2021 and went live in 2022. You must wager with one of the 30+ sportsbooks that are licensed by the Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) and overseen by iGaming Ontario.
💻 What Is the Best Betting Site for the NFL in Canada?
It’s tough to pick one sportsbook, as 33 sites offer betting markets on the NFL in Ontario. Bet365 and BetMGM are the best overall, meanwhile Sports Interaction and Betano are great options for NFL props and futures. If you’re looking for a fresh new NFL sportsbook, ToonieBet is one of our hot recommendations.
📝 How Do I Bet on NFL Games in Ontario, Canada?
Firstly, you need to register at a licensed sportsbook and deposit funds. After that, you just need to browse the betting markets and place your wager - it’s that simple.
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:
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