People overwhelmingly favour five sports when wagering at Ontario betting sites. Below, we’ve outlined each sport’s key leagues, markets, bet types, marquee events, and popularity drivers.
Basketball
Ontarians bet on basketball more than any other sport (29% of all wagers in 2023 [16]) thanks largely to the NBA’s high-scoring offence, star power, and strong local connection with the Toronto Raptors.
The most popular league is the NBA, followed by NCAA March Madness and select EuroLeague action. Bettors gravitate toward moneyline (picking the winner), point spreads (often +5.5 to +8.5 points), and totals (over/under on combined score).
Same-game parlays and player props, such as “LeBron James over 28.5 points,” are hot, especially during playoff time. The NBA Finals and March Madness draw peak action, with futures markets (champion, MVP) opening long before tip-off. Live, in-play betting intensifies engagement; many Ontario betting apps offer real-time stats and streaming, letting bettors ride momentum swings.
Fast scoring and constant lead changes create more betting opportunities than lower-scoring sports. The Raptors’ deep playoff runs have cemented basketball’s appeal, turning casual fans into active bettors who relish the blend of analytics and excitement on every possession.
Soccer
Soccer claims 15% of Ontario sports betting wagers [16], reflecting its status as the world’s game and Canada’s growing domestic leagues.
Major League Soccer (MLS), including Canadian clubs Toronto FC, CF Montréal, and Vancouver Whitecaps, anchors local interest, while the Canadian Premier League offers home-grown storylines. Internationally, the English Premier League reigns supreme, supplemented by UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, and World Cup tournaments.
Popular markets include 1X2 (win/draw/win), Asian handicaps (e.g., -0.5, +1.0 goals), totals (over/under 2.5 goals), and first-goal scorer props. Futures on league champions and top-scorer awards spike around season start. High-profile events like the World Cup, Euro Championship, MLS Cup trigger surges in betting volume. The global fanbase and immigrant communities fuel round-the-clock markets at Ontario sports betting sites.
Soccer’s continuous clock and relatively low scoring make live betting on goal-line action especially appealing; momentum shifts can be sharply rewarded. Accessibility on Ontario betting apps and extensive TV coverage further drive engagement, as bettors relish forecasting upsets and backing underdogs in an unpredictable sport.
Football
Football draws 13% of Ontario’s sports bets [16], split between the NFL’s blockbuster appeal and the Canadian Football League’s storied Grey Cup tradition.
The NFL dominates league-specific wagers, especially on Sunday night games, playoffs, and the Super Bowl, with futures on MVP, division winners, and Lombardi Trophy outcomes. CFL betting peaks around the Labour Day Classic and the Grey Cup, offering moneyline, point spread (commonly +3 to +7 points), and totals markets.
Standard bet types include moneyline, spread, totals, player props (e.g., passing yards, touchdowns), and parlays. Live betting on prop bets, like next team to score or over/under on field goals, is growing during games. Football’s structured clock, set-play nature, and abundant statistics empower analytic bettors.
The Super Bowl stands as Canada’s single biggest annual Ontario sports betting event outside hockey, with extensive prop markets on everything from coin tosses to halftime show performances. CFL’s regional rivalries add a local flavour, making football a year-round draw from August through February.
Hockey
Despite basketball’s rise, hockey still commands 9% of Ontario wagers [16], embodying Canada’s national sport passion.
The NHL leads, with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Montreal Canadiens driving local interest. Ontario sports betting markets center on moneyline, puck line (–1.5/+1.5 goal spread), and totals (over/under goals).
Additional options include period-by-period bets, player props (e.g., anytime goal scorer), and futures on Stanley Cup and individual awards. The Stanley Cup Playoffs ignite peak action; best-of-seven drama spurs parlays and live wagers on period outcomes.
Hockey’s low-scoring, momentum-driven nature makes puck-line bets strategic for seasoned bettors. In-play betting thrives on power-play chances and goalie performance swings. PROLINE+ retail remains parlays-only, but online platforms deliver robust live tracking and multi-view streaming. Nostalgia, generational fandom, and community pride in hometown teams ensure hockey remains a staple when it comes to betting in Ontario.
Baseball
Baseball rounds out the top five with 8% of Ontario bets [16], anchored by MLB’s long season and storied events like the World Series.
The MLB accounts for the majority of wagers at Ontario sportsbooks. Core markets include moneyline (pick winner), run line (±1.5 runs spread), and totals (over/under runs). Player props (e.g., hits, strikeouts), first-five-innings bets, and futures on division titles or World Series champs add variety.
Parlaying multiple games and live, in-game wagers, especially on late-inning rallies, are popular strategies. Baseball’s statistical depth allows data-driven handicapping of pitchers, lineups, and park effects.
The All-Star Game and playoffs concentrate betting interest, while daily games provide steady opportunities for micro-bets. Summer scheduling dovetails with outdoor leisure, making baseball a relaxed yet analytically rich betting choice for Ontarians seeking both entertainment and edge.