The best sites for
basketball betting in Ontario
– At a glance
Looking for the best sportsbook Ontario has to offer basketball fans? Here’s a quick look at our top five operators and what each one has to offer:
- Bet365
– The online Ontario sportsbooks with NBA live streaming
- BetMGM
– The best basketball betting app
- Pointsbet
– Ideal for beginners and casual NBA bettors
- Betway
– The best selection of futures markets for all basketball leagues
- BetRivers.com
– The most user-friendly interface on desktop
A closer look – Check out our
basketball online betting
reviews for Canada
Below, you can check out our experts’ reviews of the top five betting sites in Ontario, based on their basketball betting provisions. If you like, you can also take a more in-depth look at each site with our complete operator review articles here at TheGruelingTruth.
For now, here’s a good look at what’s on offer:
1. Bet365 – NBA live streaming
Bet365: Pros & Cons
- NBA live streaming
- Good selection of props bets
- Competitive odds
- Trusted global betting brand
- The interface needs a style update
Bet365 makes the top of our list because it is the only online sportsbook in Ontario where you can bet on an NBA game and watch it in the same place. Bet365 has the streaming rights for a number of pro sports leagues, including the NBA.
This means that, so long as you have an active and funded account, you can watch any NBA game that you have an outstanding wager on. Additionally, when using the desktop platform, you can watch the action and bet on games in-play at the same time.
Bet365 Highlights
- Bet on all the biggest CA sporting events
- Live betting & streaming options
- 24/7 customer support available
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2. BetMGM – The best app for
basketball betting in Canada
BetMGM: Pros & Cons
- Excellent basketball betting app
- Huge selection of NBA bets
- Professional design
- Customizable interface
- Limited selection of non-NBA basketball markets
If you do most of your basketball betting on your mobile, BetMGM has the best and most user-friendly app for the job. For starters, it looks classic, slick and extremely professional with its dark background and subtle gold features.
More importantly, though, this style is backed up with plenty of substance. Navigating your way around the app is simple and you can customize the app so that the NBA games and markets that matter to you the most are pushed to the top of the display.
For NBA betting, there are few better apps than BetMGM. However, being a US company, the sportsbook is a bit North American-centric. You therefore might find things a little limited if you are looking to wager on basketball leagues outside the NBA.
BetMGM Highlights
- Huge range of betting markets
- Competitive odds
- Awesome mobile app
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3. Pointsbet – The best for new and low-budget gamblers
Poinstbet: Pros & Cons
- Lowest minimum deposits and withdrawal limits
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Good “Visualizers” for live betting
- Actively pushes the WNBA
If you are new to basketball and
cricket betting in Canada, or you are working on a small budget, Pointsbet is a great place to start. As well as having an extremely easy-to-use interface that is ideal for beginners, Pointsbets also has the lowest deposit and withdrawal limits in Ontario.
As long as you use PayPal to make your deposits and withdrawals, the minimum limit is just $5. However, that’s not to say that Pointsbet doesn’t have anything to offer more experienced enthusiasts of basketball betting in Ontario.
When it comes to live betting, the Pointsbet “Vizualizors” offer the best alternatives to live streaming that we’ve seen. They are updated in real-time with the scores and states for all basketball games that you have an active wager on.
BetRivers.com Sports
+19 T&C’s Apply, Please play responsibly
BetRivers.com Highlights
- Vast range on betting markets
- Big focus on NBA and NFL events
- Competitive odds
4. Betway – Ideal for global
online basketball betting
OrionStars: Pros & Cons
- Best for non-American basketball betting
- Good selection of futures markets
- Global betting brand
- Excellent help tools
- Can be delays with Interac deposits
Naturally, the majority of you reading this will more likely be focused on betting on the Raptors and the NBA. However, we understand that there are basketball betting fans in Ontario with a taste for the game beyond North American shores.
Betway is a global betting brand that is now available in Ontario. And while it is great for betting on the NBA, you can find just as many markets for some overseas leagues and competitions, including the EuroLeague, Liga ACB and the Adriatic League.
As well as that, Betway is also good if you prefer a more long-term approach to your betting. The futures markets here go beyond just picking the NBA Championship winner For example, you can wager on the highest-scoring player of the season, or pick which conference the title winner will come from.
Betway Sports
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Betway Highlights
- 30+ betting markets
- Customizable features
- Cash out option
BetRivers.com: Pros & Cons
- User-friendly interface
- “Quick Pick” for most popular games of the day
- Props Center to filter and display prop markets only
- Lighter design than most sportsbooks
While BetMGM has the best mobile betting app, BetRivers.com has the best desktop betting interface. Not only does it look good, but it is also packed with features to make your NBA and MLB online betting experiences that bit more enjoyable.
For all leagues and sports, you have the “Quick Pick” feature, which puts the most popular game of the day to the top. Additionally, the “Props Central” platform displays prop bets only for the top sports leagues, including the NBA.
BetRivers.com Sports
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BetRivers.com Highlights
- Vast range on betting markets
- Big focus on NBA and NFL events
- Competitive odds
How to
bet on basketball
– A quick guide
Now that we’ve covered the best sites for basketball betting in Ontario, let’s take a look at how NBA betting actually works. Starting with the basics, here is an example of what a basic basketball betting line will look like at your average sportsbook:
|
Moneyline |
Spread |
Total |
| Timberwolves |
1.95 |
1.87
(+1.5) |
1.91
(O 231.5) |
| Raptors |
1.87 |
1.95
(-1.5) |
1.91
(U 231.5) |
In this betting line, there are three markets displayed, which break down as follows:
This is your basic bet that involves wagering on one team to win outright. The favourite, The Raptors in this case, will have shorter odds and higher winning probability. Meanwhile, the underdog (Timberwolves) will have longer odds and a lower winning probability.
In the points spread, the game has been evened up by giving an advantage to the underdog and a handicap to the favourite. In the example above, a bet on the Raptors would only play out if they won by two clear points or more.
This is the basic example of a props bet, as it involves wagering on an outcome that isn’t affected by which team wins or loses. Instead, you bet on the total points scored by both teams combined in the game being over or under the stated amount – 231.5 in the case of the example set above.
Basketball betting Canada
– Other popular betting markets
If you want to look beyond the basic betting line, here are some other popular wagers for basketball betting in Ontario:
- Winning
margin
– You bet on the number of points that a certain team will win by.
- Game
props
– You can bet on other outcomes than the winning team, itself such as the match going into overtime or picking the exact final score.
- Futures
– Longer term bets, such as the NBA Championship winner or Rookie of the Year.
Understanding
basketball betting odds
The default odds format for NBA betting odds at most Ontario and Canada sportsbooks is decimal. However, there are some sportsbooks that now use American odds as standard. With decimal odds, you simply need to multiply your stake by the odds.
For example, if you bet $100 on a Raptors win at 1.87, your total potential payout would be:
$100 x 1.87 = $187
How the bookmakers set the odds for
basketball betting in Canada
To start off with, the bookmaker will always set the odds based on the implied probability of each outcome coming to pass. They will then alter the odds slightly to ensure they make a profit, this is known as the “vig”.
There are then a few things that can alter the odds in the run-up to a game, such as team form, injuries and dressing room fights. Additionally, you also have non-sport-related factors to take into account.
Non sporting influences to basketball odds
If a sportsbook sees a lot of money coming in for a particular team or outcome, then it might alter the odds to encourage customers to bet on the opposing outcome. For the points spread in the example above, the odds should be the same for both outcomes, as the handicap has evened up the contest.
However, as you can see, the Raptors (+1.5) have slightly longer odds (1.95 compared to 1.87). This could be because the betting site has seen a lot of money come in on the Timberwolves (-1.5) and wants to balance things out to ensure profitability.
Basketball betting Ontario
– Conclusion
Now that you have a basic insight into how basketball online betting works in Canada and Ontario, it’s time to get started. We recommend that you make use of our more in-depth reviews of the top five recommended sportsbooks in this article. You can then pick the one that’s right for you, register, deposit and bet on your favourite games and teams.
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Basketball betting Canada
FAQ
✅ Is it legal to bet on basketball in Ontario?
Yes, it is now legal to bet on a basketball online in Ontario, Canada. You can check out the best sportsbooks for betting on the NBA and more online today here at TheGruelingTruth.com.
🏀 How do I bet on basketball online in Canada?
To bet on basketball online, you just need to sign up with a licensed Ontario sportsbook and make a real money deposit. From there you just need to add your preferred market to your betting slip and place your wager.
🏆 What is the best NBA betting site in Ontario?
Overall, Bet365 is the best betting site for the NBA, as it is the only one that has streaming rights. On top of that it is a reputable, trusted and licenced operator.
