Of course, when we talk about gaming, we cannot forget about the betting aspect.
There were some limitations on sports betting in Canada.
Such as single-event betting was illegal until 2021, whenBill C-218 was passed.
Before that, Canadian bettors could not place single bets on sports events.
So eSports betting is legal in Canada, but there are a few things to note.
The Canadian sports betting market varies between each province, and Ontario has the greatest offering of them all.
This is because Ontarioopened its gambling marketin 2022 to legitimize the presence of international sportsbooks.
These sportsbooks could obtain Ontario licensure and operate in the province fully legally.
Other Canadian provinces still use a single-sportsbook market.
These provincial sportsbooks are either run by the state, or by recognised and approved corporations.
For instance, in British Columbia, the British Columbia Lotteries Corporation runsPlayNow, the provincial sportsbook.
In Alberta, the provincial sportsbook,PlayAlberta, is run by the state.
The drawback is that, without competition, the offering at these sportsbooks is not great.
And let’s be honest, eSports is still a niche sport to bet on.
Therefore, there are little to no options for Canadian bettors in the provinces outside Ontario.
But the good news is that the laws do not prevent you from joining an international betting site.
A lot of these are also recognised in Ontario, holding double licensure.
These alternative betting sites holdiGaming licensesoutside the province’s jurisdiction.
For example, in theUK, Malta, Curacao or even Kahnawake.
Licensed byKahnawakeand also iGaming Ontario, Bet99 is available throughout Canada.
The platform offers 24/7 live chat support, ensuring help is always just a message away.
Visit BET99
2.BetUS
In the third spot, we have BetUS.
Visit BetUS
3.CloudBet
Next up, we have CloudBet, which is a platform established in 2013.
CloudBet is well-known for being reliable and safe, but also transparent.
Thunderpick also supportssports betting, as well as casino games from pretty much all categories.
Plus, it provides a variety of payment options, including the ever popular Interac and Instadebit.
What’s more, TonyBet is available in English, French and 3 other languages.
The only shortcomings are that TonyBet has limited round robin and advanced parlay options.
And Canada is quickly becoming a notable player in the international eSports community.
As for betting on eSports, it is fully legal in Canada.
Though, as we noted above, there are some limitations on bettors.
It all depends on which province you are betting out of.
In 2022, Ontario opened its doors to international online sportsbooks.
These are governed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario throughiGaming Ontario, its subsidiary agency.
iGaming Ontario has the autonomy to issue licences and regulate all operators in the province.
And it is also responsible formaintaining game integrity, player safety andresponsible gambling.
So niche sports like eSports betting is really limited.
You may find options to bet on eSports, but don’t expect many betting markets.
Live betting, props, and international coverage is quite poor.
It really pales in comparison with the scene in Ontario.
The good news is that you’re free to try joining international betting operators.
Some of these sites are specifically designed for Canadian punters, such as Bet99 or NorthStar Bets.
A lot of these sites hold multiple licensure, and also operate in Ontario.
And they take on punters from regions in Canada outside Ontario.
Though you will also find a few game-specific variations.
Then, there are the eSports equivalents of totals and handicap (point spreads).
Generally, these will relate to games in a series, or maps won in a series of games.
It all really depends on the format of the clash.
Odds fluctuate rapidly based on in-game events, adding a dynamic element to the experience.
Some platforms even offerprop betslike First Blood or Most Kills depending on the game being played.
Here are some top eSports betting props by category.
Responsible Tools for Gamblers
All the licensed sportsbooks we have selected above haveresponsible gambling initiatives.
They are mandated by iGaming Ontario, and other reputable gambling authorities to supply responsible gambling tools.
For example, deposit limits, reality checks, self-assessment and links toCanadian gambling helplines.
You are fully encouraged to use these, to keep control of your gambling habits.
Through deposit limits, you are essentially creating a maximum spending limit.
This can be set on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis.
That way, you will not be allowed to spend more than your limit.
Reality checks are useful to keep you informed of how long you spend at a sportsbook.
These are usually suggested to casino gamers, but it can also come in handy for sports bettors.
You don’t want to spend hours browsing markets andanalysing the odds.
A game of Dota 2 lasts around 40 minutes on average.
But when you have already followed 2 games, do you gotta bet on game 3?
The mathematics of gambling all point to the same thing.
The longer you play, the more likely you willlose your money.
Not because of your competence, but just because there are psychological traps to gambling.
These aren’t always obvious either.
Importance of Playing Responsibly
Playing responsibly is not just about controlling your spending habits.
Like betting on sports, eSports betting can also be addictive.
Some punters can get carried away with thethrill of gamblingand take their betting to excess.
Betting is not like casino games, there is askill basedelement to it.
For example, you canresearchyour wagers and make informed decisions.
Or, you canbuild strategiesaround which types of bets you want to place.
you’re able to pick a bet with longer odds, or settle for one with shorter odds.
Parlay building is also very much a personal decision, and you are setting the terms.
But this element of control in betting can also be our undoing.
Some bettors get overconfident, building optimism bias andgambler’s conceit, when betting.
This chemical is associated with pleasure, and it reinforces behaviors, making us want to repeat them.
Over time, our dopamine regulation changes.
Bet more aggressively and try toamplify those wins.
And one thing to note aboutchasing lossesis that it usually doesn’t end well.
But there are lots of other psychological impacts.
It can make some bettors overestimate their chances of winning with specific bets.
For example, betting on the favorites.
They may pull through by the skin of their teeth and barely win their games.
Yet we look at their results and judge based on paper form.
Keep eSports betting a fun hobby.
There are no guarantees you will win your bet, and you must beprepared in case of a loss.
Conclusion
With that, we conclude our list.
Now, make no mistake these are not the only betting platforms where you might bet on eSports.
eSports Betting in Canada FAQs
Is eSports betting legal in Canada?
Yes, you’ve got the option to bet on eSports in Canada.
The provincial sportsbooks either don’t have eSports bets, or just a modest selection.
So a lot of punters use international betting sites in these provinces.
Some of which hold multiple licenses, and are also available in Ontario.
What eSports games can I bet on in Canada?
The top eSports betting sites in Canada cover loads of different eSports.
Commonly, you will find lots of FPS such as CoD, Valorant and CS:Go.
They also provide RTS or MOBA games, the most popular of which are Dota 2 and LoL.
But you will also find various sports games too, such as FIFA, NBA2k, and loads more.
Can I bet on eSports using my phone?
Yes, the best Canadian eSports betting sites are fully optimised for mobile betting.
Some eSports betting sites also have live streams, which you might also stream directly on your phone.
Are eSports bets fair and secure?
If you use licensed and reputable sites, your bets and data are safe and fair.
In Ontario, the sites licensed by iGaming Ontario are fully legitimate and fair to play at.
Yes, most platforms offer in-play betting with real-time odds updates.
Are eSports winnings taxed in Canada?
No, gambling winnings are generally tax-free unless youre a professional gambler.
