Why should you try new betting sites in Ontario?
It’s important to understand why you should look at new
legal betting sites in Canada
- surely you can just stick with the same old site or app? I used to think like this, but as I research more into the subject, I realize there are benefits to switching to new sites, and being registered with multiple sportsbooks at once.
1. Different bet types
The first thing that struck me was that different sportsbooks will have different bet types. Virtually every
online betting app
will have the basic core bets - moneyline, line, spread, and parlay. But after that, things become a little hazy and there can be vast differences between the quality and quantity of available bets.
For example, you might find new online betting sites in CA that actually have a greater range of NHL props bets that you would like to make on the individual games. Similarly, I’ve found that not all sportsbooks have same game parlay bets, whereas this is becoming a more common feature with new betting sites.
2. Better odds
I’ve never found any huge variance between odds at different sportsbooks, and you’ll find that oftentimes, multiple betting sites use the same software provider for their underlying betting technology. But that doesn’t mean you will get the same odds for the same bet at every single betting site - you won’t. For instance, one site might have -200 on the Winnipeg Jets to win, whereas another might have odds of -150, and another -175. This small variance might seem insignificant, but if you have several new betting sites you use, you can always make sure you get the best odds possible.
3. Improved mobile functionality
During my time researching Canadian sportsbooks, I’ve noticed that new betting sites in Canada usually have far better mobile accessibility than older sportsbooks. In fact, most of the new sportsbooks prioritize mobile betting and their desktop website is often an afterthought. They do this because they realize most people now place bets on their smartphones. So, if you prefer smartphone betting, checking out new online betting sites should be a big benefit and give you a better experience in the long run.
What to look for when picking brand new betting sites in Canada
Some new betting sites in Ontario are better than others! I learned this quickly simply by testing a heap of different sites and comparing their features. From my testing, I also created a list of 7 features I believe the best new betting sites have. This includes things like a gambling license, a mobile app, in-play betting, and fantastic support.
1. A valid gambling license
This is the number one thing when looking for new betting sites! As you can see with our
Bet99 review, we recommend that you ONLY register with licensed online sportsbooks. If a betting site doesn’t have a gambling license, it means it doesn’t have to comply with regulations and could potentially be ripping you off. In the case of Ontario sportsbooks, the site must have a gambling license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario as this is the official licensing issuer for the province.
2. Excellent security
No one wants to have their personal info or banking details stolen while placing bets at an online sportsbook! Therefore, security is always a top priority when looking at new betting sites. Don’t use a site that doesn’t at least have HTTPS connectivity, SSL encryption, and a valid SSL certificate - these are standard security features and every site should have them. Also look for things like account and payment authentication, plus documentation like terms and conditions and privacy policies that state how the site works and how your personal details are kept, stored, and used.
3. Various support channels
Even if you never use customer support, you want the peace of mind to know that it is there if you need it. This is why the best new online betting sites will offer multiple support channels. A live chat is my preferred support method as I think this is the easiest and quickest way to speak to someone. I want to be able to actually speak to a human too - even if it means initially talking to an AI chatbot. I like it when sportsbooks have FAQs and a help center also as this means I can browse for help at my own convenience.
4. A usable desktop website
Desktop betting is still relevant - even if most people have now turned towards their smartphones. For instance, while I mainly use my smartphone, I do use the desktop version if I’m on my PC or laptop. The desktop website should be the gold standard for usability and design. It should have a sharp and clean color scheme that emphasises readability with easy-to-read text and headings. Page speeds must be fast, the sports categories should also be organized logically and your bet slip should be easy to manage.
5. A downloadable mobile app
Having a usable desktop website is essential, but I think that having a downloadable mobile app or at least a mobile-responsive browser site is more important. This is due to the increased number of people who bet on their mobiles today. The app should be available on Android and iOS devices, and the download process should be directly from the relevant store. Usability must be excellent, it shouldn’t put too much strain on your battery, and you should be able to do everything on the app that you can on the desktop website.
6. Plenty of sports markets
All the sportsbooks I’ve tested offer multiple betting options spread across heaps of sports. As a bare minimum, I expect new sportsbooks to support all the North American pro leagues - CFL, NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, WNBA. Not only that, I also assume they will feature popular global sports like soccer, tennis, golf, motorsport, boxing, and rugby. For each sport, there should be multiple competitions, bet types, and betting opportunities. Lastly, I like lots of parlays, same game parlays, and props bet options such as the ones in the table below:
| Bet Type |
Description |
| Over/Under |
Betting on whether a specific total such as points, will be over or under a set line. |
| Handicaps |
One team has a handicap to make the bets more competitive. |
| Halftime/Fulltime |
Selecting the winner at halftime and fulltime. |
| Player props |
Bets on individual player stats like goals or touchdowns scored. |
| Team props |
Bets on team stats like goal scored, penalties, and yellow cards. |
7. In-play betting
As you can see in our
Bally Bet review, I think that in-play betting is becoming more important, and most new betting sites are jumping on this. I believe that the best sportsbooks will give you in-play betting for every sport they support - no matter how popular it is. Top sites and apps also make sure that you have plenty of stats and information for your live games, and the best give you a 2D or 3D game overlay that shows the game progression.
Tips for making the most of new online betting sites in CA
Now that we know what to look for when picking new online sports betting sites, I want to give you a little advice so you can bet effectively, have fun, and manage your bankroll.
All new betting sites should have a decent array of responsible gambling tools to keep you safe - use them! I always use the deposit limit tool when I register with a new sportsbook and I will set a weekly limit within my budget. I also make sure I know about the self-exclusion policy, timeouts, and things like reality checks.
New betting sites in Canada that I’ve tested are usually loaded with stats and information to help you make better decisions. Make use of the tools they give you! I also go further than this and do my own research for any bets that I make including looking at injuries, player performance, H2H matchups, and current team performance.
Here’s a rule of thumb you can try out. 80% of your bets should be lower-risk with a slightly higher bet amount, and your other 20% of bets should be higher-risk with a smaller bet amount. I believe this is a great balance of risk and reward, which keeps things interesting.
I know this seems like a random figure, but this is the percentage I stick to and I’ve found that it allows me to manage my money effectively when using new Ontario betting sites. For instance, if I had 100 CAD in my account, I would only ever bet with a maximum of 40 CAD - I typically wouldn’t be using this 40 CAD on one bet either - I’d split it up into multiple bets using the 80/20 strategy I outlined above.
Get signed up to a new Ontario betting site today
If there’s one thing I want you to take from this guide, it’s to NOT overlook new betting sites. In Ontario we have new online sportsbooks springing up all the time and there’s heaps of quality options you can explore. We all know the saying - that variety is the spice of life, and I believe this applies to sports betting too. By looking at more sportsbooks, you can potentially get better odds, have more betting variety, and access more modern apps.
Lastly, remember that you should only try new betting sites that have a valid gambling license! If you want inspiration and don’t want to do the research yourself, we have an awesome collection of recommended sportsbooks you can try - just check out the banners on this page.
The sportsbooks we trust the most
New sports betting site FAQs
❖ Are new betting sites legal in Ontario?
Yes. Online sports betting is legal in Ontario, BUT the sportsbook must have a valid gambling license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and be partnered with iGaming Ontario to legally accept customers.
🔍 Who can register at new betting sites in Canada?
You must be over 19 and a resident of Ontario to legally register at one of the new Ontario betting sites. Also make sure that the sportsbook has a gambling license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and partners with iGaming Ontario.
🏀 Is live betting available at new betting sites in Ontario?
Yes! Most of the new sportsbooks I’ve tested recently have an extensive live betting setup. You can usually make in-play bets on any of the sports markets they support. North American competitions like the CFL, NHL, NFL, and NBA often have fantastic live coverage, and you can sometimes get live streaming too.
📜 Does a new betting site need a license to operate in Ontario?
It does if it wants to be legal in Ontario. If a sportsbook doesn’t have a gambling license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, then it cannot legally operate in the province and under no circumstance should you register at it.
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