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Pinnacle sports review: Ontario 2023

Checked byJovana Gjorgievska
pinnacle logo
83/100 Expert Rating by Elena I.
Above-average betting odds

Best sportsbook in your area

Discover everything about the new kid on the block – Pinnacle sportsbook. We carefully analyzed every aspect in this Pinnacle sports review, from their competitive odds to their secure payment methods and user-friendly site.

And that’s not all – we’ve also scoured the betting markets to show you just how much Pinnacle can do for you.

Operator highlights

  • Over 23 sports
  • 10+ payment options
  • Easy to use site

Pros & Cons

  • Strong betting odds
  • 24/7 support available
  • Fast loading times
  • Poor betting features
  • No mobile app
  • No telephone support

General ratings

83/100
Expert Rating by Elena I.
57Betting features rating
96Odds rating
82Payments rating
88Safety rating
90Platform rating
88Support rating
79Sports and markets rating

How we rate?

Our main score is the Expert Rating, which ranks casinos on over 60 criteria in seven different sections, including games, safety, usability, and more.

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80
Playscore based on 6 critics
92
covers.com logo
86
strafe logo
84
casino.org logo
80
mybettingites.com logo
78
onlinegambling.ca logo
60
canadasportsbetting.ca logo

What is our Playscore?

The Playscore represents the average rating according to top critic sites for a given gambling operator.

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General info

Launch date 19/10/2022
Company behind Ragnarok Corporation N.V.

Best alternatives to Pinnacle sportsbook

Best for novelty betting
Most reputable sportsbook
Great range of sports
Pinnacle sportsbook mobile screenshot

Editor's note

This review is based on the operator’s current sports offer in Ontario, Canada.

Pinnacle betting markets

Pinnacle betting is home to markets for 23 different sports. This includes all the most popular sports for online betting in Canada – basketball, ice hockey, American football and soccer. You can find moneylines, spreads, over/unders and futures bets for all of these sports.

In addition, our Pinnacle review found betting markets for other sports including ski jumping, bandy and snooker. There are also markets for upcoming political events while the site has even been known to offer markets for drone racing in the past.

When you go to a Pinnacle sports betting event, you will see an array of markets that typically include moneylines, spread, over/unders, parlays and futures markets.

Sport events facts

Total number of sports to bet on23
Bet options per match (American football)70+
Bet options per match (hockey)70+
Alternative options (esports, politics, etc)Yes

Our Pinnacle sportsbook review also discovered that the Pinnacle site has a number of virtual sports for you to bet on.

Featured betting markets

  • basketball icon
    Basketball
  • soccer icon
    Soccer
  • american football icon
    Football
  • hockey icon
    Hockey
  • baseball icon
    Baseball
  • tennis logo
    Tennis
  • esports icon
    Esports
  • cricket
    Cricket
  • boxing
    Boxing
  • golf icon
    Golf

Available events

  • nba logo
    NBA
  • nfl logo
    NFL
  • mls logo
    MLS
  • mlb logo
    MLB
  • nhl logo
    NHL
  • pga tour logo
    PGA
  • nbl canada logo
    NBL
  • UEFA logo
    UEFA – Europa League
  • UEFA champions league logo
    UEFA Champions League

Sports and markets rating

79/100 Average number of betting markets
  • 23 sports covered
  • Virtual sports available
  • Various minor sports covered
  • Low markets for some sports

I confess to being slightly underwhelmed by Pinnacle sportsbook in this area. The number of sports covered and betting options available for each event are inferior to many other operators.

Take bet365 sportsbook, for example; they provide betting for over 35 sports. A vastly superior offering to what you will find at Pinnacle Sports.

Even operators like Betsafe, who cover a similar number of sports (30), offer more than three times as many markets for events such as NHL and NFL fixtures.

The big positive is that Pinnacle covers all the biggest sports and events around the world. The coverage of niche sports is also solid, so it does merit its 75+ rating.

It’s just a shame that it does not go the extra mile. A few more sports and a few more markets would have seen it get a much better score.

American football is one of the most popular sports in Canada. So it is no surprise that Pinnacle offers 70+ markets for NFL and CFL fixtures. This includes a huge array of over/under markets and player props.

Hockey is another sport extensively covered by Pinnacle Sports. There are markets for a number of leagues from around the world, and you can find over 70 markets for NFL games.

Pinnacle sports betting features

The Pinnacle betting app and website have features designed to add extra value to your online sports betting experience.

Live betting markets are available for the majority of events. However, unlike many operators, it does not have cash-out options for live bets.

The live betting section can be accessed via the site’s main menu, labelled ‘Live Center’. Unfortunately, Pinnacle does not offer live streams for any events.

Betting features facts

CashoutNo
Bet builderNo
Live streamNo
Live bettingYes
DownloadNo

Bet builders are also missing from the Pinnacle Canada betting site. Players have no option for placing same game parlay bets.

Betting features rating

57/100 Limited betting features
  • Live betting on many events
  • Dedicated live betting section
  • Live bets available
  • No bet builders
  • No live streaming

The markets at Pinnacle were slightly disappointing, and the betting features are even more underwhelming. This is possibly the thinnest selection of betting features I’ve encountered.

Let’s cover the main positive first. There are live markets, and you can cash out bets. But let’s be honest; those features are available at almost every site.

While at a site such as Sports Interaction, you can stream live events, the ability to do this is sadly lacking at Pinnacle. Following games is a key part of live betting, so being unable to do this, loses Pinnacle many points.

Likewise, most operators allow you to create same game parlays, for instance, NorthStar Bets. However, this is another feature notably absent from Pinnacle sportsbook.

This huge lack of betting features is why Pinnacle scores so poorly in this section. They need to up their game in this department.

Pinnacle sportsbook does allow you to place bets across a range of fixtures. For example, you can wager on the moneylines for multiple bets on NBA, NFL or NHL games. As you put together your parlays, your bet slip will reflect the total combined odds for your bet.

Pinnacle sportsbook odds

The average payouts for sports bets at Pinnacle are 97.34%. This is the highest payout percentage at an online sportsbook in Canada.

You will find a payout average of 98.01% for specific sports for ice hockey fixtures. This is even higher for many NHL games.

It is a similar story regarding American football and other major sports. A payout percentage of 97% or more is very common at Pinnacle.

Betting odds facts

Average payouts97.34%
Football average payouts97.03%
Hockey average payouts97.01%
Basketball average payout97.06%
Average live payouts94.93%
Boosted oddsNo

For live betting markets, the average payout percentages are approximately 95%. Whilst this is lower than their pre-game markets, it is considerably higher than the live payouts at most other operators.

Odds rating

96/100 Great quality of odds for most markets
  • Great payouts overall
  • 95% live markets payouts
  • Higher payouts than competitors
  • No enhanced odds

You did read that correctly. Pinnacle has landed a 96 rating in this section. Simply put, these are the very best odds you will find anywhere in Canada.

I’ve long considered 888sport the best brand in terms of betting lines. But its payout average of 96% is comprehensively beaten by Pinnacle.

This is also the case when it comes to live betting markets. Not even leading operators such as Betway, with 92.40%, can rival Pinnacle regarding low margins. These low margins make Pinnacle a great option for arbitrage betting.

I’d have been tempted to award Pinnacle a full 100 in this category were it not for its lack of enhanced odds.

But overall, this is a phenomenal collection of the best sharp odds and low margins. If you want the best odds value for your bets, you need to head over to Pinnacle.

Payment methods

You can deposit money into your Pinnacle betting account using the following methods: Visa, MasterCard, Interac, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, iDebit, and Instadebit.

All the methods except iDebit are completely free. This payment option has a fee of 1.25% for deposits. The lowest amount you can deposit is C$10 with MuchBetter.

C$5 is the minimum amount allowed if you wish to withdraw money. Here, there are 6 banking methods available to you: Interac, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, bank wire, iDebit and Instadebit.

Payments facts

Total number of payment methods8
Best optionMuchBetter
Minimum depositC$25
Maximum depositC$3,000
Minimum withdrawalC$10
Maximum withdrawalC$20,000
Average deposit timeInstant
Average withdrawal time72 hours +
Average deposit feesNo fees
Average withdrawal feesNo fees

Withdrawals from your Pinnacle account are charged depending on your payment method. In most cases, the fee will be C$5. However, if you decide to use a bank wire, you will be expected to pay a fee of C$30. Players can only make 5 transactions in one day. Withdrawal times vary, but many methods will appear in your account within 24 hours.

Deposit methods

Withdrawal methods

Payments rating

82/100 Great options but there are some withdrawal fees
  • Seven deposit options
  • Instant payments
  • Low minimum deposits
  • High bank transfer fees

This is a real mixed bag for Pinnacle. The positives include the excellent range of payment options, high betting limits and rapid withdrawal times.

Regarding payment options, eight is impressive, especially when you look at sites like DraftKings, which offers three ways to fund your account.

The big negative is that withdrawals are not free. Most operators, including PartySports sportsbook, offer free withdrawals, so it isn’t very reassuring to find this is not the case at Pinnacle.

It is not just the presence of fees that is a problem; it is their size of them. Having to pay $30 (bank transfer) for a large withdrawal is quite prohibitive and certainly loses Pinnacle a few points. Therefore, make sure you have sufficient funds to cover withdrawal fees.

The score here reflects the pros and cons of payments at Pinnacle. But with reduced fees (or even removed), there’s no reason why Pinnacle cannot achieve a 90 score here.

Safety features at Pinnacle Canada

Pinnacle has been in operation since 1998 and over the years, the company has built up an excellent reputation around the world. The company operates under the Ragnarok Corporation N.V. umbrella.

The site holds licenses from a number of regulators, including the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Malta Gaming Authority. Canadian users’ financial and personal data at Pinnacle is protected using advanced 128-bit certificate-based encryption.

The responsible gambling provision at Pinnacle includes the ability to set loss and risk limits and the option to self-exclude.

Safety facts

RNG auditingeCOGRA
Seals of TrustiGaming Ontario, IBIA – International Betting Integrity Association
Responsible GamblingConnexOntario
SSL encryption128-bit
Ever blacklistedNo
LicensesThe Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Self-imposed spending limitsAvailable
Self-exclusionAvailable
Cooling off periodAvailable
Account authenticationRequired
2-step authenticationAvailable

If you have any issues controlling your gambling, Pinnacle provides links to helplines and websites offering support.

Licensed by

  • The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Trusted by

  • ConnexOntario

Safety rating

88/100 Strong safety features
  • Various responsible gambling tools
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Excellent track record
  • 128-bit encryption only

This is a very good area for Pinnacle. As you might expect for an operator that has been around for over 20 years, they have a superb reputation for responsible gambling.

The licensing and data protection provision is on par with what you will find at many leading brands, including BetVictor.

Perhaps the safer gambling tools are slightly inferior to the ones at some other operators. The likes of PointsBet have more parameters for safer gambling, hence their higher score.

Despite this, I am sure that Pinnacle is very serious about responsible gambling. And they are really serious about protecting your funds.

The bottom line is that you can use Pinnacle sportsbook with full confidence. You should not experience any security issues, and you can be assured that your successful bets will be honoured.

Customer service: 24/7 support

When you encounter an issue using Pinnacle Sports, you can contact the operator by emailing [email protected]. This service is available 24/7.

Alternatively, you can find a live chat box on the website’s Help page. Just fill in a couple of personal details, and you will be put through to the customer support team.

There is also an extensive Help section on the website and mobile site. This contains a wide range of articles relating to common issues you may encounter.

Support facts

Customer support availability24/7
Live chatYes
Email[email protected]
Contact no.N/A
On-page supportHelp section

The Betting Resources section of the Pinnacle website contains articles explaining how to bet on specific sports and explanations of common betting terms.

Support rating

88/100 Round-the-clock support and excellent FAQs
  • 24/7 email support
  • Live chat available
  • Betting resources section
  • No telephone support

I’ll start by getting the only bad news out of the way. There is no telephone support available at Pinnacle. Unfortunately, this takes a few marks off the overall score for this section.

The good news is that all other Pinnacle customer support areas are superb. The email and live chat services are professional and highly efficient. They offer a similar level of service to Unibet here.

The FAQs are also extremely good. While most operators have an FAQ section, it is rarely as comprehensive as the one at Pinnacle. It’s offering certainly beats the Help section you will find in places like Betano.

Overall, this is a very strong area for Pinnacle. It is close to achieving a 90+ score, but I cannot overlook the lack of telephone support.

Nevertheless, if you run into any difficulties while using Pinnacle Sports, you should be able to find a satisfactory solution in no time.

Usability

The Pinnacle website features a top menu containing links to the Pinnacle casino, live casino games, table games and virtual sports area. There are also links to the Betting Resources and Live Center.

The main sports markets are listed on the left side of the screen. Below this, you can see a full A-Z of available sports. Please note that this list only includes sports that have current markets. If a sport is out of season, or there are no upcoming fixtures to bet on, it will not appear on this list.

Although no Pinnacle sports app is available at the time of writing, the Pinnacle website is fully optimized for mobile use.

Usability facts

Ease of navigationExcellent
Search functionYes
Live sticky chatYes
Interface ratingVery good
UX ratingExcellent
Mobile appNo
Mobile usability ratingVery good
Other productsE-Sports

Another option on the Pinnacle website involves selecting up to five of your favourite sports. If you do this, those sports will appear at the top of the left-hand column, giving you easy access to them.

Play on these devices

  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows
  • MacOS
  • Linux

Platform rating

90/100 Excellent website with easy navigation
  • User-friendly design
  • Fast loading times
  • Mobile optimized
  • No mobile app

Despite the disappointing lack of a mobile betting app, Pinnacle Sports has an excellent platform for desktop and mobile users.

The absence of a mobile app immediately puts Pinnacle behind operators such as LeoVegas and other brands that do possess a mobile app.

However, the mobile site is extremely good. It’s as good as the one at Caesars sportsbook, and you can’t get much higher praise than that.

Whether you use a desktop or mobile site, you will find Pinnacle very user-friendly and easy to navigate.

So despite the lack of a mobile app, I am willing to give Pinnacle a 90 rating here. Basically, you will love the Pinnacle website, whether you are on mobile or desktop.

Expert verdict

I have rarely encountered a sportsbook with such extreme positives and negatives. Some areas of Pinnacle (the sharp odds, the range of payments) are about the best on the market.

On the other hand, the withdrawal fees and the betting features are massive negatives and put Pinnacle way behind many of its competitors.

The underlying fact is that Pinnacle offers odds that will not be found anywhere else in Canada. And ultimately, that is the number one factor for many sports betting fans.

So if you are willing to overlook the withdrawal fees and don’t mind a relative lack of features, Pinnacle is a fantastic betting site and one we can highly recommend.

FAQs

Is Pinnacle legit?

Yes. Pinnacle Sports is a legitimate online sports betting operator. The Ragnarok Corporation N.V. owns Pinnacle. They are an iGaming company with licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Pinnacle prides itself on providing a high quality betting service and has established a strong reputation for fair and trustworthy online gambling.

Is Pinnacle Sports legal in Canada?

Yes. In September 2022 Pinnacle sportsbook and casino acquired a license to provide a legal online sportsbook in Canada. This online sportsbook is available to players who are 18 years old or above. To achieve this license, Pinnacle had to demonstrate that its sportsbook provision was trustworthy and the Pinnacle casino games were decided fairly by a random number generator. Pinnacle has a large online casino section. This features live dealer games, table games and video slots.

What payment methods does Pinnacle accept?

There are 8 accepted deposit methods at Pinnacle: Visa, MasterCard, Interac, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, iDebit, bank wire and Instadebit. All deposits at Pinnacle are free of charge (except iDebit with a 1.25% fee) and the minimum amount you can deposit is C$10. Deposit requests should arrive instantly in your Pinnacle account. However, if you were wondering does Pinnacle accept PayPal, the answer is unfortunately no.

Is there a Pinnacle betting mobile app?

No. Unlike many operators in Canada, Pinnacle does not have a mobile app. Instead, they provide a fully mobile compatible website optimized for all screen sizes and mobile devices. It is available on either Apple or Android tablets and mobile phones. You can access this mobile version of the site by using a mobile web browser.

How long does withdrawal take at Pinnacle?

That depends upon your chosen method. Withdrawals requested via Interac, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, iDebit and Instadebit should instantly arrive in your account. But if you use a bank wire, you may have to wait up to 24 hours. Please note, that Pinnacle does apply a charge for withdrawal requests. This is typically between C$5 and C$30. If you receive free bets from Pinnacle, it needs to be wagered before any funds can be withdrawn.

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