Online basketball betting in Ontario
Online basketball betting is available at almost every legal sportsbook in Canada, so it can be tough to know where to begin. That’s where Time2play comes in.
I’ve analyzed and rated every Ontario site for basketball betting online on strict criteria, including odds quality, markets available, usability, safety, and deposit methods, to give you everything you need to know about basketball betting and the best sites to go for.
| Sportsbook logo | Odds rating | Bonus | Go to sportsbook Button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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95/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 95% Playscore based on |
Most reliable operator
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Play |
Good to know
9 payment methods 
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bet365 operates pursuant to an agreement with iGaming Ontario. #ad |
2
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95/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 88% Playscore based on |
Best range of sports
|
Play |
Good to know
4 payment methods
|
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3
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90/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 90% Playscore based on |
Great range of sports
|
Play |
Good to know
7 payment methods
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19+. Terms and conditions apply. Play responsibly. Connexontario.ca |
4
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95/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 88% Playscore based on |
Best for novelty betting
|
Play |
Good to know
6 payment methods
|
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5
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90/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 89% Playscore based on |
Excellent betting odds
|
Play |
Good to know
7 payment methods
|
|
6
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91/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 86% Playscore based on |
Great for hockey and basketball
|
Play |
Good to know
5 payment methods
|
|
7
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91/100 Sports and markets rating by Edward F. 80% Playscore based on |
26 sports available
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Play |
Good to know
5 payment methods
|
|
8
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80/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 82% Playscore based on |
User-friendly platform
|
Play |
Good to know
6 payment methods
|
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9
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92/100 Sports and markets rating by Elena I. 83% Playscore based on |
Great for live betting and forecasts
|
Play |
Good to know
4 payment methods
|
19+. Terms and conditions apply. Play responsibly. Connexontario.ca |
Editor's note
This overview is a work in progress based on the current offer in Ontario. There are other licensed sportsbooks in the province, and our expert analysts are working on bringing you more in-depth and unbiased reviews.
The operators are ranked based on the quality of the basketball offer, and not numerically. The ‘Sports and markets’ rating is displayed to give you a comparative overview of the general product offer across all sports.
The best three basketball betting sites — my top picks
Wondering what makes a sportsbook ideal for basketball betting? Well, it goes beyond simply having the sport listed on their roster.
I’ve carefully curated a list of the top three basketball betting sites based on several key factors, backed by data gathered by our betting analysts. These include the breadth of basketball events covered, the diversity of betting options available, access to live basketball streams, and the overall quality of their sportsbook offerings.
🥇#1 bet365 Best overall experience
One of the most established sportsbooks in the industry, bet365 boasts 35 sports to bet on, great customer support, and competitive odds, making it one of the best betting sites in Ontario.
All of the major basketball leagues are covered, with percentage payouts of around 95.25%. I was able to access these through bet365’s excellent mobile app, with a main menu that allowed me to see events under the basketball filter.
🥈#2 BetVictor Best for basketball live betting
BetVictor features an excellent live stream, with in-depth data for basketball live betting. The average live payouts are a bit low at 89.92%, but this is made up for with a boosted odds function that gives you a better live-betting edge.
What sets BetVictor apart is its early cashout for basketball in-play betting. This means if you think the winnings won’t get better, or if you want to reduce losses, you can cashout early. This helps if you see a basketball match is not going your way at all.
🥉#3 LeoVegas Best basketball betting odds
LeoVegas comes in with great odds on all things basketball, across the seven basketball leagues that LeoVegas offers basketball markets on.
Basketball average payouts come in at 96.1%, which is already great. This is made even better with average live payouts of 95%. Add in boosted odds for basketball, and you’ve got a site with great basketball betting odds.
Best basketball betting sites for leagues and events
Canada has been making waves in the major leagues, winning bronze in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Canada’s first international basketball medal since 1936.
Basketball betting sites in Canada are aware of this, and that’s why they are always expanding the leagues available for betting and adding special betting features for those leagues.
| League / event | Our winner | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| National Basketball Association (NBA) | bet365 sportsbook | Diverse betting options |
| March Madness | BetVictor sportsbook | Best betting payments |
| EuroLeague | LeoVegas sportsbook | Best live odds |
| FIBA Champions League | PartySports sportsbook | Great moneyline odds |
| British Basketball League (BBL) | bet365 sportsbook | Attractive point spreads |
How to choose basketball betting sites
There are a number of things to look out for when it comes to choosing the best option for sports betting on basketball. Besides the variety of leagues, you want to consider the customer support, usability, and other unique sports betting options.
Leagues and events
Any sports betting site worth its name will have major leagues like the NBA and EuroLeague available. However, great sportsbooks will also include smaller leagues from around the world, so even when the most popular leagues are off-season, there’ll always be something to bet on. PartySports, for example, includes leagues from Senegal, Colombia, and Uganda.
Odds quality
When choosing a sportsbook, the odds are an important factor. A good basketball sports betting site will present you with sensible odds based on the playing teams’ performances, stats, and strength of schedule. You’ll want lucrative odds that also make competitive sense. If the underdog has low odds, then it’s time to change sportsbook.
Live betting
Bettors should now be able to place bets on basketball games live. To know if you’re dealing with the best live betting sites, you’ll see live streaming for the games as well as live stats to see how the game is progressing. The live streams should cover all the major basketball leagues, with odds updating quickly as the match progresses.
Usability
Ease of navigation is an important part of a good basketball betting site. This goes for both the desktop website and the mobile betting app. You want to be able to find all the basketball leagues you’re interested in and with a few clicks place a bet. PartySports, for example, makes good use of its live betting section with all media in the right corner, so bettors can place basketball bets as they watch the game.
Overall sportsbook offering
There are several factors to consider for selecting a basketball sportsbook, such as having five or more payment methods from reputable providers such as VISA and PayPal. Customer support options such as live chat, phone number, or email with quick replies are also crucial for a smooth experience. You’ll also want a mobile app for mobile basketball betting, and the app should have all the same features and markets as the desktop site.
Basketball bet types
Placing bets on a basketball game now goes beyond just determining which team will win. Bets can be placed on certain events happening during the game, how many points a certain player will score, or the most points scored per quarter.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets predict which team will win a match. If the Toronto Raptors are facing the Indiana Pacers, a sportsbook might set game lines at +200 for the Raptors as the underdog, and -245 for the Pacers as the favourite.
Spreads
Also known as “handicap”, a spread bet predicts the points gap between two teams. These spreads can be huge, especially during tournaments where underdogs will be pitted against favourites.
Over-under
Also known as “totals”, an over-under determines what you predict the final score of the game will be. Fortunately, bettors aren’t required to predict the exact score, they only need to say if the final cumulative score from both teams will be over or under the sportsbook’s number.
Derivatives
Often referred to as “quarter-based” or “half-based” bets, these are bets placed on only one part of a basketball match. These can be a variety of bet types, such as moneylines or props, but you must determine which part of the match the bet is being placed on.
Props
The home for the bizarre. Prop bets can be anything, from something as simple as who will score, to something wilder like which audience member will score. Basketball leagues love indulging in wild prop bets, so expect to see many of them if you want to place some NBA bets.
Futures
Often available months in advance, futures let you bet on outright winners for leagues and events. If you think your favourite basketball team has a chance of winning the NBA in 2025, you’d place a future bet on them.Basketball betting tips and tricks
Basketball is a fast-paced, exciting sport. Betting on it adds to the thrill of enjoying the game. But, what do you need to keep in mind when placing bets? Below, we’ll advise on what to consider regarding what’s happening on and off the basketball court.
Stick to known leagues and teams
If you know the league and the players, you’re more likely to make informed wagering choices. Remember, you don’t need to bet on every single basketball game — if you’re not familiar with what’s going on, it’s better to sit the game out.
Study the team’s performance
Sometimes a good team adopts a bad strategy, or underdogs go on a winning streak. It’s good to know who’s on top form and why, so you can place more informed bets.
Manage your bankroll
As the basketball season progresses, you want to make sure that you’re still able to place basketball bets. Make sure to set a budget and not bet more than you can afford. Also, you can take advantage of responsible-gambling features, such as deposit limits, to ensure that you don’t overspend.
Keep an eye on the news
Team management politics, player injuries, and suspensions can affect team morale and performance. That’s why it’s important to keep up-to-date on basketball league news. So stay up to date before going for the moneyline bet.
Sources
- https://www.fiba.basketball/
- https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/how-last-summers-success-changed-the-relationship-between-team-canada-nba-players/
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-sports-betting-1.6138865
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-sports-betting-industry-future-ontario-1.6795602
- https://www.agco.ca/sport-and-event-betting-ontario-player-information
