5 Top Sports of Canada: Things to Know

Sports gambling is a favorite pastime for a lot of savvy gamblers and Canadians are no exception. Canada’s population has a large number of sports gambling lovers. They are known for their fine sportsmanship and they play, watch, enjoy, and bet on a variety of different sports. Sports betting is a growing hobby with more and more enthusiastic bettors and sports lovers enjoying it every year. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular sports that have taken over the betting industry in Canada.

Ice Hockey

If you know anything at all about Canada, it may be that Canadians love ice hockey.  With over 21 million fans in Canada, hockey is the most popular sport in the country. It has a rich history and is deeply ingrained in the culture of the country. The Parliament of Canada has even declared ice hockey the national winter sport. The National Hockey League (NHL) in Canada is the world’s premier ice hockey league and its championship trophy, known as the Stanley Cup, remains one of the sport’s most coveted titles. In fact, more than 15.6 million Canadians watched the Stanley Cup Finals in 2022. The Montreal Canadiens have won the most Stanley Cup championships out of all Canadian ice hockey teams. For savvy bettors looking to place a wager on ice hockey, they’re your best bet. Wayne Gretzky, who is considered the greatest hockey player of all time, holds numerous NHL records – including most career goals, most assists, and so on. As the Canadian betting industry has grown, ice hockey has risen in the ranks and is every betting man’s top pick.

Basketball

Surprisingly, basketball takes second place in the sports betting popularity contest in Canada. Although only one Canadian team competes in the NBA, many Canadian basketball enthusiasts enjoy watching the games and placing bets on their favorites. A Canadian favorite, Jamal Murray, plays for the Denver Nuggets, and he has accumulated a lot of fans from his homeland. Although there aren’t many Canadians in the big leagues, the Raptors, Canada’s national team, won the NBA championship in 2019, boosting basketball’s profile in the country. With more Canadians playing the sport than ever before, it has attracted a lot of attention and thus increased sports betting on the ball game in recent years. 

Each country’s betting sportsbook is different and Canada itself has only ten teams that are a part of the National Basketball League (NBL). While some bets are placed for the NBL, it is a much smaller league with far fewer teams participating in it compared to the NBA. Instead, most Canadians are attracted to the more prestigious NBA, and they take part in watching and betting on the games along with numerous fans in the US and worldwide. 

Soccer

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and, and as it happens, it is also popular in Canada. Canadians enjoy playing, watching, and betting on the game. The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body for soccer in Canada, and the country has its professional soccer league, the Canadian Premier League. The league was founded in 2017 and has been gaining popularity ever since. While many Canadians enjoy watching and playing soccer, several soccer lovers also enjoy betting on their favorite teams both in Canada and other soccer leagues around the world

Nowadays, sports lovers can place bets on soccer anywhere in the world on any given day that a game is taking place. The massive fanbase and the growth of the online gambling community have made this a possibility and online sportsbooks have made it easier than ever before. 

Baseball

While baseball is big in America, it is a popular sport in Canada as well. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only Canadian team in Major League Baseball (MLB), and after they won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, baseball has become more and more popular in Canada. Recently, however, the sport has seen a decline in popularity, although that has not left it without any enthusiastic bettors in the country. Canadians flood the baseball betting market during the Major League Baseball (MLB) season but others who enjoy betting year-round will find sportsbooks with worldwide leagues to choose from. 

Football

Football is a popular sport in Canada. The Canadian Football League (CFL) was founded in 1958 and has since grown in popularity, boasting some fantastic players. Many Canadians enjoy watching football, playing football as a pastime and also betting on the game. 

The sports betting industry in Canada has grown significantly in recent years, and when betting on football and other games, there are a few things for enthusiasts to consider. Each individual needs to find value in the odds. This means understanding the game and focusing on various factors to not bet blindly. Taking note of things like injury reports can help when placing bets on individual players or even teams. Also take note of recent performance, player stats or team stats, and off-season performance as well.  

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that Canadians love a variety of sports. From ice hockey to baseball, the country has something to offer for every sports enthusiast, player, and bettor. As betting is slowly legalized throughout the country, online sports betting is gaining popularity and is expected to be a very lucrative market in the coming years. For sports fans in Canada, there is bound to be something for you all year round in the online sports betting arena. 

Last Updated on by Suchi

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  1. Canada’s diverse sports culture is reflected in the popularity of sports betting, with ice hockey leading the way as a national passion. From the thrill of the NHL to the rising interest in basketball, soccer, baseball, and football, Canadians enjoy not only watching but also placing bets on their favorite sports. As online sports betting continues to grow in the country, enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting and lucrative market, offering year-round opportunities for sports fans and bettors alike.

  2. This article successfully captures the essence of sports betting in Canada, catering to both sports enthusiasts and potential bettors. The information is presented in a clear and engaging manner, making it accessible to a wide audience. The inclusion of different sports, their popularity, and the growing trend of online sports betting provides a well-rounded view of the Canadian sports gambling landscape.

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