What is a hockey betting site?
We throw around terms like hockey betting sites and
basketball betting sites, and underneath all that, they are basically the same thing. A hockey betting site is just any online sportsbook in Canada that supports ice hockey games - most commonly the NHL.
You’ll usually find that hockey betting is just one aspect of the site and most of them feature anywhere from 10-30+ other sports such as football, soccer, boxing, baseball, rugby, tennis, golf, and basketball.
For ice hockey itself, the site will normally offer a fantastic range of bet types, including some of the following:
| Bet Type |
What it is |
| Moneyline |
Outright winner of a hockey game |
| Spread |
Winning/losing margin between teams |
| Over/under (Total Points) |
Whether the final score is over/under a set value |
| Halftime/Fulltime |
Who will be leading at halftime and fulltime |
| Player props |
Bets on individual player stats |
| Team props |
Bets on team stats |
| Parlays |
Outright winner of more than one hockey match |
Pros and cons of the best hockey betting sites
With a basic intro out of the way, I want to quickly go over the main pros and cons of hockey betting sites, as like the
best online football betting sites, they aren’t perfect!
Pros and Cons
- All NHL games are usually available
- Good range of pre-match bets
- In-play betting is often detailed
- Most sites have a mobile app
- Live streaming might be usable
- Hockey is not typically the main focus
What makes a good hockey betting site?
From my years of testing, I’ve found that not all hockey betting sites are worth it. Some are just better for other sports, and others don’t have many features. With that in mind, I’ve listed five important things I think the best hockey betting sites should have:
A valid gambling license
This is essential! To get a gambling license, an operator has to comply with gambling laws and regulations in Ontario. The site will also be audited for quality and fairness. I see a gambling license as a type of customer protection - it’s your safeguard. For Ontario betting sites, they need a gambling license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. They should also be a partner with iGaming Ontario. This information is found in the website footer and you should be able to see a link to the license page and its number.
Coverage for the NHL and other hockey leagues
The main reason you’re signing up to one of these sites is to make hockey bets! Therefore, the operator must have support for this sport! Canadian operators always have incredible support for the NHL and you can sometimes find bets for other international leagues. I always check that there are markets for the regular season, and the playoffs and Stanley Cup games too.
A good in-play betting setup
I love in-play betting - it’s insanely exciting to do when you’ve got an NHL game on the TV! You could be watching a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, while also making in-play bets on your smartphone! Because of this, I make sure an operator has live betting options for ice hockey games. I might check to see if they have live streaming or at least a cool 2D match render of the action for each game.
Responsive customer support
I can’t remember an actual time I’ve had to contact support when using one of the best hockey betting sites, but it could happen which is why I make sure a site has a couple of support methods. My preferred method is the live chat, but I also look for a telephone line or email support. I like to make sure there is an FAQ section or help center too, so I can get help on my own if needed.
A downloadable mobile app
Smartphone betting rocks! As smartphones become more powerful and complex, we benefit from a better mobile gambling experience. If you mainly want to bet using your mobile, you need to make sure the site has a mobile app or a mobile-responsive browser site. I prefer using an actual mobile app - I think they are easier to use and offer a slightly improved experience compared to opening a mobile-responsive browser version of a hockey betting site. Also make sure the app is available for your device type (Android or iOS).
Tips for using hockey betting sites in Canada
I know how daunting it can be starting at new
NHL betting sites
and Canadian sportsbooks. It’s also daunting knowing what bets to place and how to be effective. Using my experiences, I’ve listed four simple tips below that should help and make the process easier to digest.
Generally, I do not find a huge variance in odds between Ontario sportsbooks. BUT, that doesn’t mean that every site will have the exact same odds. I think it’s worth familiarizing yourself with a handful of hockey betting sites and comparing odds for the bets you want to place - you might be able to get a better rate by switching between sites.
Many sites I’ve used that have hockey betting will feature a range of special bets. These are usually handpicked by the staff, or they might be popular community bets that many Canadian customers have bet on. I always check for bets like this - they are fun to pick, often have high odds, but aren’t so ridiculous that you know they never have any chance of winning either. You will usually find specials like these at the top of the hockey betting section - above the regular match breakdowns.
I know this is incredibly boring, but I think everyone should check the terms of service and general rules of Canadian hockey betting sites. Afterall, when you register with one of these sites you are actually agreeing to the terms of service! Scan read them so you can get a general idea of how the site works and what is expected of you. I also think it’s ideal to check out the responsible gambling tools and resources they have so you can always keep your NHL gaming fun.
Hockey betting sites in Canada use complex algorithms and research to set the odds for the NHL games. However, that doesn’t mean they are always right, and I believe that you can get opportunities by doing your own research and looking at statistics. Whenever I want to place a hockey bet, I look at info like match schedules, H2H comparisons, player performance, and injuries, to see if I think there is any room for upsets.
5 Ontario hockey betting sites you could try today
I’ve got heaps of experience with
baseball betting sites
and sportsbooks in general, so I’ve used my knowledge to recommend five hockey online betting sites you can sign up to now. You can click the links or banners of any of these 5 sites to open them and start the account registration process.
bet365 - best for mobile betting
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 all around my favorite Ontario sportsbook, but I think it’s especially good for hockey betting. The mobile app is brilliant here and I’ve had the Android version installed on my phone for years. I prefer the mobile version compared to the desktop site, and it’s got one of the smoothest interfaces you will find. Aside from an extensive NHL offering, bet365 is one of the top operators for European competitions including soccer, tennis, golf, and motorsport.
BetMGM - great for bet variety
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
BetMGM offers an amazing NHL betting variety and it is one of the few sites that has special bets. These are usually parlays or same game parlay combinations that have been picked out by the BetMGM staff. The creativity with these bets is awesome and I’ve used plenty of them while watching NHL action. The benefit of going with BetMGM is that the brand is well-known too - not just in Canada, but worldwide. It’s got a brilliant reputation and has all the features you would expect such as 24/7 support, in-play betting, and a high-quality mobile app.
Sports Interaction - best Canadian brand
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 keep things within the country, Sports Interaction is your best option. It’s a Canadian brand and one of the few Ontario hockey betting sites that largely caters to the Canadian market. This means that the NHL and CFL are highly featured on the homepage and most of the other pages, and there’s a massive amount of betting variety for these two competitions. You’ve got live betting action too, and I’ve always liked the stats they have as the game unfolds, and the fact that you can make time-sensitive bets based on periods of play within the hockey games.
Betano - great for usability
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
If you want a simple betting experience and aren’t bothered about flashy graphics then Betano is a solid pick. This site puts usability first and I love how you’ve got all the sports categories in a menu on the left side of the site. It just works like a dream, and this is made better by the quick loading times and how fast the odds refresh when you’re doing live betting. NHL enthusiasts will appreciate the bet options for both pre-match and in-game picks, and there’s always a dedicated Stanley Cup section when the playoffs get underway.
Tooniebet - best newcomer
ToonieBet: Pros and Cons
- Mobile-compatible website
- Reliable customer service
- Good selection of betting markets
- Limited live streaming options
Lastly I picked out Tooniebet as I wanted to introduce you to a relatively new hockey betting site. I’ve tested this operator for a while now and it’s definitely one of the top sportsbooks for Canadians to be launched in some time. It looks great, you’ve got plenty of betting options, and I think beginners will be able to understand the left-to-right flow of the sportsbook. For hockey, you’ve got all the NHL bets you could ever want, and I’ve often seen some European leagues featured too, although not in as much detail.
Put your hockey knowledge to the test and get betting!
For ice hockey fans who want a little extra action, I maintain that hockey betting sites are the way to go provided that you always keep things responsible. Although these sites offer bets on multiple sports, you’ll find that their coverage of the NHL and other competitions is second-to-none, and you’ll be able to place a ton of different wagers on your favorite teams.
If you’re looking for a place to start, remember that you can click one of the links here and sign up to one of my recommended sportsbooks. bet365 is generally my top pick and I love the mobile app, but Sports Interaction, Betano, BetMGM and Toonienbet are all fantastic alternatives - each one will give you magnificent ice hockey entertainment.
The sportsbooks we recommend
Ontario hockey betting site FAQs
🏒 Can you legally make hockey bets at Ontario online sportsbooks?
Yes. Always make sure you only register with a licensed online sportsbook in Ontario though like bet365, BetMGM, Sports Interaction, or Betano. Never play at an unlicensed hockey betting site.
💰 Can you win real money betting on hockey in Ontario?
Yes. If you register an account at hockey betting sites, deposit real money, and place real money bets, you have the chance to get real money payouts if your bets win.
📈 What is the best Canadian sportsbook for hockey betting?
I recommend giving BetMGM, Betano, Tooniebet, bet365, or Sports Interaction a try. These are all high-quality hockey betting sites that have awesome coverage for the NHL, both pre-match and in-play.
🎉 How do you get started at Ontario hockey betting sites?
The first thing you must do is register an account. After you’ve done that, you can deposit some CAD and browse the ice hockey betting sections and look to make your first bet!
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