As a sports mad country, many Canadians like to stake on their favourite events. Sports betting is legal across most of Canada, but it is heavily regulated, so here is a guide on how you can bet on cricket here.
Best Overall Cricket Betting Site in Canada
SIA – Sports Interaction
Also known as Sports Interaction, but more frequently abbreviated as SIA, this company refers to itself as Canada’s online sportsbook. That’s a bold claim, but it’s one that is backed up by substance.
SIA is tailored towards Canadian bettors who should certainly feel at home here. Many of the funding providers are easily accessible within the country and they will be familiar to users. The list of covered sports is popular in Canada and across North America as a whole.
Cricket is a developing sport here, but SIA take it seriously. There are lots of markets to choose from and all of the important cricket tournaments are covered. Overall, this is the best sports betting site for Canadians.
List of the Best Canadian Betting Sites
Brief Reviews of the Top Canadian Cricket Betting Sites
Bet365 Canada
One of the first betting sites to embrace the new digital age, bet365 came online in 2000. They are known chiefly for their in play betting platform, but they are also worth checking out pre-match. This is a company who like to declare early so nobody should be waiting around for a possible market.
Bet365 also work to get into countries that other sports betting sites may not want to cover. Another plus has been a bespoke promotion related to parlay betting which can specifically be taken up by Canadian players. This may not always be available, but it underlines bet365’s commitment to its global customer base.
Players who sign up here can also expect to see a wide choice of markets with all of the major competitions getting extensive coverage.
Betway Canada
Betway are a trusted brand across the world and they first began trading in 2007. They work hard to provide services in countries that aren’t easily accessible and Canada is one of those.
Betway are known for their generous bonuses and promotions and they also offer a weekly VIP programme for regular players. They are also one of the most active in terms of live betting.
The biggest advantage to Canadian cricket bettors may lie in their choice of markets. Betway have more options than most and there could be hundreds of options in place for the biggest cricket competitions.
10Bet Canada
They have a dedicated website for Canadian players so it’s obvious that 10Bet have a commitment to customers here. This is another global digital brand with a long history and they offer a solid package for all forms of cricket betting.
10Bet are also one of the most active sportsbooks in terms of offers and promotions. These are always subject to change, but they should include a generous welcome deal. Remember to opt in for notifications in order not to miss out on daily and weekly promos.
The operator also ticks all the usual boxes in regards to choice and value. There is a great selection of markets for cricket games and odds should always be competitive.
888sport
888Sport are another operator with a global reach and a long history behind them. The holding company were founded in 1997 and the brand is respected across the globe. This is another place where the offers and promotions should be frequent and plentiful.
Regular price boosts also come along at 888 and these will enhance a set of odds which will already be generous. Like all good bookmakers, there is a wide range of sports at 888 and each of the major events will be included on the schedules.
Canada and North America as a whole is an important part of the set up at 888Sport. It’s possible to play in local currency and that certainly helps when it comes to calculating profit and loss.
Unibet Canada
Unibet has its roots in Scandinavia and was originally founded as an online betting community in 1997. It’s also been one of the most proactive operators in terms of spreading its reach into expanding territories in Canada and the United States.
Unibet have sponsored a number of cricket teams and tournaments in recent years and that shows a clear commitment to the sport. As a result of this approach, players can expect to see more markets than most and more cricket competitions included.
This may not be the most generous betting site in Canada when it comes to listing offers and promotions, but competitive odds across the board are an adequate compensation.
LeoVegas
The Leo Vegas brand was set up in 2011 in Sweden and it quickly expanded into other territories around the world. While the casino is a big focal point, the sportsbook has quickly developed into a popular option for cricket bettors.
There may not be the same, wide choice of markets but moneyline and the most common props will be in place. Leo Vegas are also well known for providing one of the better sets of live markets for all sports.
Odds should be competitive and there will often be regular promotions for the bigger sporting events. Overall, this is another solid all-rounder with something for every type of bettor.
Pinnacle
This is one of the oldest digital sports betting companies around and Pinnacle have now been trading for over twenty years. Age is usually a positive aspect for the online gambling industry and this operator has had time to build up significant levels of trust.
The focus is on North America with the default currency being set as $USD. There’s also that tendency to highlight the bigger sports when you land on the homepage. Those who dig a bit deeper will find that all mainstream sports are included and cricket is certainly one of those.
The main focus is on the major tournaments such as the World Cups and the Indian Premier League. As interest in cricket develops around North America, there should be more betting options at Pinnacle in the future.
TonyBet – Currently not available
This is another Canadian sportsbook and that is a big plus point in itself. TonyBet should be familiar with regular players in the country and they’ve built trust among a wide customer base.
Along with a lot of bookmakers in North America, the focus has been, until recently, on the most popular sports such as basketball, American football and hockey. The rise in development sports such as cricket has now been addressed and there should be an extensive set of options moving forward.
TonyBet should also quote competitive odds across the board and there will be a good choice of cricket markets. Regular promotions can enhance the value.
New Cricket Betting Sites in Canada
Royal Panda
While they have pulled out of some other territories around the world, Royal Panda remain dedicated to providing a sound service in Canada. They are available for all eligible customers and they tailor a package to suit bettors across the country.
Cricket is a sport that receives more coverage than most here. While all of the regular markets are included, there may be some more obscure options, which means that there can be hundreds of prop bets available for the biggest games.
Odds are competitive which is a bonus as there may not be quite so many additional promotions at Royal Panda. Like all good online betting sites in Canada, things are backed up with sound infrastructure including effective customer service and a wide range of funding providers.
LuckLand Sport
Luckland is one of the sister sites to MrPlay so players will find a very similar set up. That wide choice of markets should be the same while there will be very little difference, if any, between the odds that are on both platforms.
Why play with Luckland Sport in addition? There is the option to take up the generous offers and promotions all over again. This is one of the best betting sites for cricket betting in Canada with all those markets in play. Odds are hard to beat, but the second account can mean more bonuses and extra added value.
MrPlay Sport
MrPlay is a global sportsbook and another that likes to get into territories that others may find difficult. It is open to Canadians who are eligible and there will usually be a welcome offer available.
This isn’t a website where ongoing promotions are in abundance but that shouldn’t be an issue. Competitive odds should be found on the cricket markets and those excellent figures can often be lifted by price boosts.
MrPlay will usually quote more cricket markets than most outlets. They are available in countries where cricket comes close to being a national sport and that can be a big advantage for Canadians who like to bet on first class and limited overs games.
Casumo Sports
They may be more widely known among the betting community for their casino but the Casumo Sports platform shouldn’t be overlooked. They are one of the more generous when it comes to listing offers and promotions which provide a good support for some exceptionally competitive odds.
Choice is good too: As this is another brand with a presence in the UK, they take cricket betting very seriously and there should always be an option for games right through the calendar year.
While the company only received its license to provide betting services in Canada in 2022, there is some good history behind Casumo Sports. A loyal group of global customers are happy to play here and they are confident that this is a trusted brand.
Karamba Canada
The company’s title should give us a clue here. Karamba have a presence across most parts of the world, but the fact that they have a Canadian website is a good sign. Players can use the settings to stake in their own currency while there should also be some familiar deposit and withdrawal options available.
This is another global brand that has to cater for all types of bettor. Each sport on the Karamba schedule has plenty of markets attached and that includes cricket. While all major tournaments are covered, this sportsbook quotes for more of the minor competitions than most outlets.
There will also be a good selection of markets including match result, top batter, top bowler, total runs and many more.
Is Cricket Betting Legal in Canada?
Cricket betting is legal in Canada but there are heavy restrictions and it isn’t accessible in every province. For many years, the practise carried even stricter rules. For example, anyone who could access a licensed betting website within the country could only place parlay bets.
A Parlay is a multiple bet with two or more selections. Single outcome bets were not allowed, although this situation began to change in 2021.
As with certain other countries where gambling is highly regulated, there is one loophole that many Canadians can exploit. Offshore sports betting companies are not subjected to so many rules and regulations and many, including some of those listed above, will be happy to accept new and regular customers from within the country.
The situation in the present day can be traced back to 1970. This was when the country’s Criminal Code was changed to pass over responsibility for making laws on gambling to the individual Provinces.
Some embraced the new landscape more than others. Winnipeg built its first casino in 1989 while others, including Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia quickly followed suit. Racetracks began to be built across Canada in order to accommodate interest in sports betting.
Back to the present day: In Canada there are no laws that specifically prohibit Canadians from betting with offshore sites. That’s why it is possible to play with sportsbooks that allow customers from Canada.
As far as internal betting operators are concerned, it’s down to the individual state and I’ll shortly offer a round up of those who license bookmakers and allow their residents to bet.
Even within those states, the rules may be different. For example, some provinces require players to be aged 18 in order to gamble, while others raise the age requirement to 19. In short, it’s advisable to check with local government policy as it will vary depending on where you are based.
What is Proline?
Proline is a new way of getting involved in the markets and it’s a kind of cross between lottery play and sports betting. It’s available in a number of Provinces across the country including British Columbia where it is known as Oddset, and Quebec where it is referred to as Mise-O-Jeu.
Because single bets are not yet widely available in the country, this is a parlay game where players have to pick multiple winners. Depending on where the customer is located within Canada, they will need to make anything between two and six selections.
In most cases, all of those selections would need to win in order for the bet to pay out. In some instances, there is Combo Play where there would be a smaller payout if one or more selections were to lose.
Pro line is a relatively new government backed initiative and it is proving popular. Continued growth means that it’s likely to move beyond the more popular North American events in the NFL, NBA and so on, to the point where developing sports such as cricket are included on its platform.
Legal Sports Betting in Ontario
Fully licensed sports betting and gaming arrived in Ontario in 2022. It meant that those operators looking to be regulated by the provincial government could offer betting services to eligible players.
In a break with Canadian tradition, it also became possible to wager on single games without having to compile a multiple parlay.
Short Reviews of Ontario Licensed Sports Betting Sites
PointsBet
PointsBet claim to be Canada’s fastest and more secure sportsbook. There are others who would make their own claims, but speed and top level security are certainly valuable features here.
There is a welcome offer to get the account moving while competitive odds and a great set of markets should be in place for cricket and all other available sports.
FanDuel
FanDuel started life as a company that focussed mainly on fantasy sports. In time, they have developed to become a conventional bookmaker too. They were also one of the first to get involved with legal sports betting in Canada and it’s always worth considering an early adopter.
They look to promote Canadian sports and were firmly behind the soccer team at the 2022 World Cup, but what about the cricket?
Like all the best sportsbooks, cricket markets are plentiful and FanDuel will back that up with some of the most competitive odds in the industry.
DraftKings
Draftkings were one of the first to establish fantasy sports as something that you could bet on. They built a huge platform but would also develop into a regular sportsbook as North America opened up to the potential of a new source of revenue.
Draftkings cover cricket extensively with lots of markets and those all-important competitive odds.
BetMGM
BetMGM refer to themselves as the ‘King of Online Sportsbooks’ and that really must be the boldest claim of them all. It’s probably a disputed one, but there’s a lot of substance to back it up.
NFL, NBA and other popular sports take center stage, but there’s plenty of room for cricket here. At the moment, only the biggest tournaments enjoy coverage but that should develop in future years.
BetMGM are now in Ontario after spreading through US states and this dedicated North American sportsbook offers a tailored package to suit bettors here.
theScore Bet
theScore Bet stands out from the crowd because it is dedicated to providing the best mobile betting service. They have been a part of the new betting landscape in Ontario since 2022 and this different approach should attract some attention.
Anyone wanting to play here will need to download the app, but this is an easy to follow piece of software with a good design and simple navigation. When they launched, theScore Bet published a generous welcome offer which could reach up to $1000 in bonuses.
That offer may change, but it’s a sign that this will be a generous sportsbook. Competitive odds are also here, along with an extensive set of cricket markets.
Sports Betting in British Columbia
British Columbia has generally been one of the more receptive provinces for sports betting. It’s been legal since 1985 and parlay games have been accessible in the digital age.
Since 2021, it’s also been possible to bet on single games in BC.
Playnow.com
The main option for bettors in British Columbia is the state run Playnow website. Every form of gambling is here in one place with lottery, bingo, poker, casino and sports betting available.
The sports section is compact and, to be honest, there aren’t many options for cricket. As interest in the sport continues to grow, that situation will hopefully change.
Sports Betting in Quebec
Online sports betting remains heavily regulated in the Province of Quebec. It may be possible to sign up with offshore casinos that are available here as that is considered to be something of a loophole.
The situation with legalised gambling is developing right across Canada so this may change in the future. For now, aside from some state run games, there are no licensed sports betting services inside Quebec.
Sports Betting in Alberta
It is possible to access sports betting in Alberta, but the options here are highly limited. Laws were passed to legalise the pastime in 2022, but Albertans can only currently access services via the PlayAlberta website.
Once again, this situation may change in future years while Albertans may be eligible at offshore casinos via the usual legal grey areas.
Popular Cricket Leagues to Bet on
Global T20 Canada
The small number of cricket fans in Canada have already had a taste of major tournament competition. Global T20 Canada welcomed its debut season in 2018 and it featured teams from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
The initial set of six sides was completed by a West Indies’ B team which was replaced in 2019 by the Brampton Wolves. Unfortunately, the situation with Covid led to the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 tournaments.
Global T20 Canada has an uncertain future and it’s not clear when, or even if, the tournament will return, but there is a growing demand for cricket and it’s hoped that this competition will be back on the schedules soon.
IPL
The Indian Premier League is the biggest T20 competition in world cricket. It was formed in 2008 and the huge interest in cricket in India has seen it grow in popularity each year.
Currently, the IPL features ten teams from all over the country. It has big financial backing and that means it can attract the best global T20 players. The interest extends to the betting community and there will be more markets issued for the Indian Premier League cricket matches than any other competition.
ICC T20 World Cup
The T20 version of the World Cup was first held in 2007 and it’s been a regular on the cricket schedules ever since. It would traditionally be held on a biannual basis, but changes to the calendar mean that this hasn’t always been possible.
In terms of international cricket, this is the busiest tournament of all for the cricket betting sites. Because the best T20 nations are involved, the T20 World Cup sees bookmakers publish more markets with competitive odds and plenty of promotions thrown in.
Big Bash League (BBL)
Away from the IPL, the Big Bash League is seen as the most important domestic T20 competition. It was first held in 2011 and has since become a hugely popular event through the Christmas and New Year period.
Eight teams across Australia take part in the BBL. Indian players do not take part, but the tournament always includes top overseas and domestic players. It’s an important competition in its own right but, as this is generally a quiet time for cricket, bookmakers will cover the Big Bash extensively.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan introduced their premier T20 competition in 2016. That’s relatively slow compared to other countries, but the tournament developed really quickly. They are one of the best limited overs teams in world cricket, so the host nation supplies supremely talented players.
The PSL is held across February and March which is traditionally a quiet time for the sport. As a result, many top overseas batters and bowlers arrive from all over the world. This all leads to another major T20 domestic competition that gets full backing from the betting industry.
Popular Banking Options at Cricket Betting Sites in Canada
Credit/Debit Card
The best cricket betting sites should always list a good choice of funding methods. At the very least, it should be possible to deposit and withdraw using bank cards.
All operators should provide debit cards as a means of funding. The use of credit cards is being wound down as the regulators look to promote responsible gambling, but they may still be available in places.
The advantages of using bank cards include the likelihood that there will be no fees and transactions will be fast (usually instant). Sportsbook promotions are also more widely available to those who deposit in this way.
Paysafecard
EWallets are digital financial services institutions, many of whom are available at online cricket betting sites. They are popular because there is an extra level of security with no financial information being shared with the merchant.
One of the most common eWallets in the betting industry is Paysafecard. This is a prepaid online payment method which is independent of a bank or other financial institution.
Users need to input a 16-digit code when making a transaction. It’s fast and easy to use and Paysafecard is widely available across Canadian betting sites.
Interac
Interac is a Canadian firm which was originally established way back in 1984. It’s a popular option for ecommerce transactions and it is widely used within the country.
Canadian bookmakers and those based in the wider North America are the ones most likely to accept Interac as a form of payment, but others realise its value and they are starting to offer it too.
Essentially, it all works by linking a number of financial institutions into one single debit card.
Skrill
In general, if a cricket betting site is going to list just one eWallet provider, Skrill is most likely to be that option. It was originally set up in 2001 and it quickly became one of the fastest growing digital payment facilitators.
Skrill works to provide services for industries that aren’t always accessible to the mainstream providers and the betting sector is a perfect example. It works with financial institutions to provide a central place for transferring money between customers and merchants. Skrill can also issue account holders with a prepaid debit card.
Neteller
The set up at Neteller is similar to that of Skrill and this is another payment provider to be widely accepted by the gambling industry. It was established in 1999 and, in the present day, Neteller is a part of the wider Paysafe group.
It works in exactly the same way as most eWallets. Customers can transfer money from a bank and, in turn, those funds can be used to pay for goods and services.
ecoPayz
While this option won’t appear as widely as some of the other eWallets, there are many operators who will list ecoPayz as part of their funding portfolio.
Both the sender and the recipient need to have an Ecopayz account at silver level or higher. There are quite strict entry requirements and this is why the system isn’t as widely available as other eWallets.
However, there are over 50 currencies supported and, as the name suggests, this is a cost effective way of sending money online.
Cryptos – Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin
Betting operators like to move with the times and that’s why many will offer Cryptocurrency for quick deposits and withdrawals. Bitcoin is the most well known of those digital currencies, but Ethereum and Litecoin are also widely available.
Those with specialist knowledge of how payments are transferred will find it easy to deposit and withdraw cryptocurrency.
Conclusion
While the online sports betting landscape will differ across the country, it’s clear that there is great interest in Canada. That interest extends to cricket markets in what is a developing sport within the country.
This round up lists the most popular sports betting companies accessible in the country and it also underlines the biggest cricket competitions to bet on. Based on a criteria that includes choice of markets, competitive odds and solid infrastructure with effective customer services and a range of funding methods, these operators should all be valuable and trustworthy partners.
A list of the most popular funding providers is also listed and it’s all intended to help bettors in the country to make a more informed choice.
For those that are looking to wager in Canada, this guide is certainly a useful starting point. As I’ve hinted at throughout the review, while the country is opening up to online sports betting, it remains highly regulated.
There are loopholes and grey areas, most notably with the availability of offshore operators who can get around rules in certain provinces. For that reason, I would suggest making absolutely sure that you are allowed to place a bet before signing up and getting directly involved with those cricket sportsbooks.
