Canadian Sports Betting App

What we look for in a sports betting app in Canada is not much different than what we expect from Canadian betting sites. We usually expect the apps to be suited for Android and iOS, come with a nice, clean menu, and support the full array of features the betting site itself does. In-play betting is important, but so is banking. Canadian Sports Betting Apps. Smartphones have been in the pockets of over 80% of Canadians for years now and, according to Statista’s data, is predicted to grow even further. Sports bettors are no exception, and the vast majority of betting fans in Canada are more likely to place bets on their phone than a computer.

Posted on: January 16, 2021, 11:43h.

Based in Canada, Sports Interaction (SIA) provides access to rare wagering opportunities, such as pro lacrosse and a rare cricket betting app for Android - a pair of. The Sportsbook Plus is a popular free Canada sports betting application which is provided by the Playbook Network. This application is great in helping sports bettors by providing them with a comprehensive and rich list of picks for different games including the most popular sports in Canada such as Canadian Football, Canadian Hockey, American Football, soccer, and even cricket and Australian.

Last updated on: January 16, 2021, 11:43h.

As Score Media and Gaming Inc. announced its 2021 fiscal year first-quarter results this past week, the Canadian-based publicly traded company also kept an eye on the future. That not only means single-game betting in its home and native land but a listing on a US stock exchange as well.

For the quarter, which ended on Nov. 20, the sports media and mobile betting company reported CAD 10.6 million (US 8.3 million) in total revenue. That is a quarterly record for the company. It’s also 15.2 percent better than the CAD 9.2 million (US $7.2 million) reported in the first quarter of 2020.

The quarter began with launches of theScore Bet, the company’s online sports betting app, in Colorado and Indiana. Those additions tripled the number of states where the company operates. Not surprisingly, the company reported a record CAD 55.8 million (US $43.8 million) handle for the quarter. That represented a 535 percent jump from the same quarter in 2020.

While Handle Up, Gaming Revenue in the Red

However, the company also reported a gross gaming loss of CAD 300,000 (US $235,565). When factoring in free bets, bonuses, and fair value on unsettled bets, the net loss is CAD 2 million (US $1.6 million).

During a call with analysts Wednesday to discuss the earnings, Score Media President and COO Benjie Levy said the loss was attributable to player promotion specials and the Indiana and Colorado openings.

Among the promotions the sportsbook has offered since the resumption of major professional sports was a 5 percent cashback offer over a 60-day period that began with the placement of their first bet. The promo was capped at $2,500 and applied regardless of whether the bets won or lost.

Levy told analysts turning those negatives into positives will rely on a couple of things. That includes rolling out the app in additional states. However, he said the company sees positive movement.

“I can tell you it isn’t going to take years to get there, and it’s probably not going to happen in the next month or two,” said Levy, according to a transcript on Seeking Alpha. “So, we’re continuing to build, the momentum is working, in our favor. And I don’t think I can be any more specific than that. But, we’re starting to see encouraging results as we gain momentum in the states that exist and hopefully in the new states that come on board.”

One new state where the company is preparing to launch is Iowa. Company executives hope to be in the state within weeks, pending regulatory approval. Iowa, like Indiana, is one of 11 states theScore has access to through a deal with Penn National Gaming.

CEO: Company’s Reach in Canada Unrivaled

However, one market company officials are really excited about is the one in their backyard. They told analysts that there’s cross-party momentum within Parliament to repeal the ban on single-game wagering in Canada this year. That move would greatly expand sports betting in the country, as only parlay betting is currently legal.

With its sports betting app already closely tied to its sports media app, Score executives think they may have an advantage in the Great White North similar to what FanDuel and DraftKings have in US states.

As Founder and CEO John Levy plainly put it: “We have the pole position here.”

I think when we look at the two markets (US and Canada), we look at the dramatic differences in terms of our reach, and our brand recognition, and look everybody in Canada knows theScore,” John Levy said. “Everybody who’s on mobile apps uses theScore. If you add up (Canadian sports media outlets) TSN, Sportsnet, anybody else, they don’t even come close to us.”

The sports media app averaged 3.9 million monthly users. Those individuals averaged using the app 116 times per month, according to company figures.

He estimated the potential of the annual gross revenue for Canadian online gaming between US $3.8 billion and US $5.4 billion.

In the US, company executives said at least 50 percent of theScore Bet users were also using theScore sports media app. The media also gives users the opportunity to place wagers on games, which may increase growth in in-game betting.

Levy Hopes to Score US Stock Listing

Last month, Score Media closed on an equity deal that brought in CAD 46 million (US $36.1 million) for nearly 32.9 million shares of stock. Among the uses the company plans for the proceeds include additional rollouts of theScore Bet in the US and Canada. Company officials may also use some of that money toward user acquisition.

In September, the company earned a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, moving away from the more speculative Toronto Venture Exchange. The Toronto market is Canada’s largest and the eighth biggest in the world. That said, Score Media (TSE:SCR) executives announced they’re contemplating a listing on an American exchange.

“We believe the potential benefits for theScore, and our investor base, may include a significantly larger pool of capital, greater average daily trading volume, exposure to a larger number of U.S. retail and institutional investors, and a potential increase in market valuation,” John Levy told analysts.

The company will hold its annual meeting with stockholders virtually on Sept. 10. At that time, the company will ask shareholders to allow Score Media’s board to initiate a stock consolidation. John Levy said that move is in conjunction with a potential US listing.

So you’re a Canadian looking to place bets online, are you?

We’re glad you found us. We’ve spent years playing at Canadian-friendly betting sites and reviewing them, and this page is the result of that research. We hope it saves you the time and energy needed to find these sites yourself.

Check out some of the sites listed in the table below. We’ll talk a little more in a bit about how we arrived at these rankings, but for now, let’s just say that these are the best Canadian betting sites on the web, and we’ve listed them according to our ranking criteria.

What Canadian Bettors Need to Know

• Canadians enjoy an entirely different online betting landscape than US residents, although it’s often called a ‘legal grey area.’ The draconian UIGEA, which prohibits operators from accepting bets from US residents, does not apply to Canadians.
• In Canada, gambling laws fall under provincial jurisdiction. This has led some provinces to launch their own online gambling sites to try to win back some of the hundreds of millions of dollars flowing offshore each year.
• Canada has actually played a large role in the development of online gambling. Pioneer firms such as Cryptologic have their roots in Canada. Isai Scheinberg, who founded PokerStars, is also a Canadian.
• The Kahnawake First Nation controls a gambling commission with the power to issue licenses and host online gambling sites on its servers. They’ve been in the industry since 1996.
• Canadians can place bets on sports, play poker, enjoy casino games, and pretty much engage in any form of online betting and gambling you desire.

So, don’t worry about being arrested for betting online as a Canadian. It’s not going to happen. Leave the legal concerns to your Southern neighbors.

A Little Bit About the Kahnawake Gaming Commission

We mentioned above that the Kahnawake First Nation operates a gaming commission. We’d like to tell you a little more about that here.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was set up in 1996 and has been operational ever since. Its regulations are based on the Kahnawake Gaming Law.

The commission does what others like it do around the world do. That is, it issues gaming permits and licenses and governs the conduct of licensed operators. It has been known to come down hard on offenders, too, once ordering Ultimate Bet’s owners to return over $22,000,000 to players after it ruled that the site had cheated. It also issued a $1,500,000 fine in the same case.

Naturally, publicly punishing a large operator increased the Commission’s credibility and standing in the world of online gambling, as did the agreement with US authorities not to provide licenses to any operator offering services to US players. It oversees roughly 150 gaming sites in total.

You can learn more about the Kahnawake Gaming Commission here.

Why We Picked the Sites in the Table Above

We don’t expect you to take it on blind faith that the sites we have selected are the best. We like openness and transparency as much as anyone, so in the interest of both, here’s a quick rundown of why these sites made the cut, and many others did not.

They Accept Canadians Without Restrictions

You may think that this is stating the obvious, but think again. There are lots of Canadian betting sites that are happy to accept your money, but which will restrict you from participating in some events or claiming some bonuses.

The betting sites above are 100% Canadian-friendly. You’ll be treated like any other player from anywhere else if you choose to bet at them.

On another note, these sites are suitable for Canadian bettors. What exactly does that mean? It means that they offer betting on the sorts of sports Canadians are interested in, such as hockey and football.

They are Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy

You may think that those three words mean pretty much the same thing, but they don’t. Let us explain.

The sites above are safe because they are run by legitimate betting sites operators. We never recommended fly-by-night operations, and all sites we recommend hold legal gambling licenses.

Our picks are secure because they run on SSL-encrypted connections. For the non-tech among you, that means your data and personal details will be safe from the prying eyes of hackers.

These sites are trustworthy because they have honest terms and conditions and policies. Scam sites hurt everyone, including those who recommend them. We read the terms and conditions carefully and make sure everything is on the up-and-up before recommending a site.

They Offer Bonuses and Incentives

It’s always nice to get paid to do something, isn’t it?

Our recommended sites will reward you in some way for registering and making a deposit. If it’s a casino, they might give you free spins on slots. If it’s a sports betting site, you might get reduced juice or a risk-free bet.

Whatever the case, you’ll get something for becoming a new player at these sites. We’ve also taken the time to make sure the bonuses are actually worth taking, which is a whole other matter!

They Pay Out Quickly and Offer a Variety of Methods

There’s nothing that will cause an online gambler to pull his or her hair out quicker than having to fight to get what’s been fairly won.

Too many Canadian betting sites drag their feet when it comes time to pay up. Our approved sites pay quickly (3-5 business days on average) and offer a variety of ways to get paid.

If you bet with e-wallets, you will usually get your money a lot faster. Consider doing so if you don’t normally.

Some of these sites are also cryptocurrency-friendly. We’ll leave it to you to decide if you want to go that route.

The Customer Service Is on Point

Too many businesses are all smiles when they are taking your money, and no good when a problem arises, right?

We hate that as much as you, and we don’t recommend betting sites that take that approach. We look for fast, helpful customer service, or we don’t include the site on our shortlist.

Sports Betting In Canada Legal

Our sites will offer live chat and e-mail at a minimum. Some have telephone hotlines, which wins them extra points in our rankings.

The Different Types of Canadian Betting Site

Betting sites, like bettors themselves, come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re new to betting online in Canada, it can be helpful to know what the different types of sites are before making a decision.

The most common types of betting sites include:

If you want to have a punt of football, hockey, or soccer, you’ll want to find an online sportsbook accepting Canadian players. The best ones should offer live (in-play) betting and should be fully mobile compatible. A free bonus bet is always a nice welcome, too.

If watching in anticipation as those colorful reels spin during a slots game or feeling your heart pound as you go all-in during a game of live Texas Hold ‘Em is your thing, then there are plenty of Canadian online casinos waiting to serve you. Top sites should offer all types of games, plenty of payment methods, great customer service, and a welcome offer such as free spins.

There are plenty of sites dedicated exclusively to what is arguably the most exciting card game of them all – poker. These are different in that you won’t necessarily be betting against a dealer as you would in a casino poker game. Instead, you’ll be facing off against players from all over the world. The best of these will offer free tournament tickets and mobile apps to let you play on the go.

These take the above-mentioned sites and roll them into one gambling extravaganza. These betting super-sites can end up being the only site you play on for years if you find a great one. Some of the sites listed in the table above would be a great place to start if you like the idea of an all-in-one-site.

Some Questions Canadian Gamblers Frequently Ask

We understand that not everyone is an online gambling whiz, so we decided to dedicate a section to answering some of the most common questions we receive regarding online betting in Canada.

Q. So, betting online is 100% legal in Canada?

A. The Canadian government has never taken an official position on this. All that can be said for now is that nobody has ever gone to jail for gambling online in Canada.

Naturally, since the government has never officially addressed the issue, there is no national gambling commission like you might find in the UK or Malta.

There are plenty of sites offering services to Canadian sports bettors and casino players, and nobody has ever been known to get in any legal trouble for using them.

Q. What are the best Canadian betting sites online?

A. You might have noticed the table at the top of this page. That’s our list of top Canadian betting sites. We constantly update our rankings based on a number of factors our expert reviewers have decided on. Whichever is at the top is the one we currently think most of.

Canadian Sports Betting Apps

Q. How can I know if I can trust a Canadian betting site or not?

A. If you refer back to the section above about how we picked these sites, you will get some insight into how we decide on sites to recommend. Basically, if a site is negative in one or more of those areas, we generally would advise you to give it a miss.

In short, if it holds a valid gaming license, offers services from respected software firms, and has fair terms and conditions, you can trust it.

Q. Are there any mobile betting sites for Canadians?

A. Every site listed in the table above is mobile compatible. That’s one of our key factors for whether or not a site makes the cut. If you don’t want to download a Canadian betting app, you don’t have to. Some of these sites accept bets directly from your browser on phones and tablets.

Q. Will I need any bonus codes to get the free bets offers and other betting bonuses?

A. Most of the time, the answer to that is no. Usually, all you need to do is click through and register. If a bonus code is required, it will be made clear during the registration process.

As you can see, Canadian online betting is alive and well. Take your pick from sports betting sites, online casinos, poker clients, or virtual bingo halls. If you can bet on it, you’ll be welcome to do so as a Canadian.

We highly recommend clicking through to some of the sites listed in our table and checking them out for yourself. We can’t tell what exactly you want as an individual, so take a little while and have a look and see what you think.

Whatever you decide on, good luck, and we hope you bring down the house!