Sports betting has long been a popular pastime in Canada, though legal and regulatory restrictions limited it for many years. Sports lotteries run by provincial governments allowed some parlay-style sports betting for decades, but single-game wagering was prohibited.

In the 2000s and 2010s, illegal offshore online sportsbooks started servicing Canadian bettors in the absence of regulated options. However, after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, provinces were allowed to operate online sports betting at their own discretion.

This led to a rapid expansion of legal sports betting in Canada. British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and other provinces have all launched regulated online sports betting sites in recent years. Private companies are partnering with provincial lottery corporations to operate the sites.

Popular Sports in Canada

Ice hockey is by far the most popular sport in Canada, often considered the national pastime.

Hockey dominates fan interest, media coverage, youth participation, and professional sports leagues. Major junior and college leagues attract devoted followers, while the NHL is scrutinized year-round by Canadian fans passionate about teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Vancouver Canucks.

Other major professional sports like football, baseball, basketball, and soccer have loyal fanbases, particularly in bigger cities, but none come close to the level of popularity enjoyed by hockey across the country.

Lacrosse, curling, skiing, and snowboarding also have strong regional followings in Canada and contribute to a robust sports culture embracing both summer and winter pastimes.

A New Market

While the regulated market is still new, over $35.5 billion was wagered legally online between 2022 and 2023. Major sports leagues have also signed partnerships with sportsbooks as attitudes shift. With continued expansion across the country, Canada is projected to become one of the largest legal sports betting markets in the world within a few years.

Smart regulation aims to channel bettors towards provincially-run sites and away from offshore books, and sports books offered by online casinos in Ontario continue to advance to provide safe experiences right in your pocket. Most online casinos have sportsbooks that offer all the top Canadian sports, including NHL and football.

The Convenience of Mobile Betting Apps

• As smartphone ownership has risen in Canada, sports betting apps have emerged as a convenient option for bettors.
• Mobile apps allow bettors to place wagers anywhere, anytime on their phone rather than being tied to a computer.
• Features like notifications, live streaming, and instant deposits/withdrawals improve the betting experience.
• Many bettors now prefer the simplicity of tapping their phone to open an app over logging into a website.

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The Rise of Mobile Betting Volume

An increasing percentage of sports bets are being placed on mobile devices because they are convenient and games can be played anywhere. In Ontario, over 75% of online bets were made on mobile devices within the first few months of legalization in 2022, and mobile gaming has continued to be popular all across Canada. All major sportsbooks are reporting spikes in mobile volume as bettors shift away from desktop and younger demographics in particular almost exclusively use mobile sports betting apps now.

Will Smartphones Dominate Sports Betting?

While mobile sports betting has seen tremendous growth and now accounts for the majority of wagers placed in many markets, some experts believe desktop and retail betting will continue to play an important role and prevent mobile from completely dominating the field.

Many experienced sports bettors prefer placing wagers on a desktop or laptop, finding the larger screens and physical keyboards better suited for conducting extensive research on stats, matchups, and injuries before making bet selections. Desktops also allow bettors to easily view multiple games, odds, and lines simultaneously across different sportsbooks and tabs. The flexibility and tools of desktop betting keep it ingrained in many bettors’ habits.

In addition, retail sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks continue to appeal to some bettors who enjoy the social atmosphere and excitement of wagering in person. Retail books also give bettors access to cash-based wagering, which some prefer over mobile apps that require banking and payment information. The appeal of in-person sportsbooks persists despite the arrival of mobile betting.

Rather than smartphones dominating the market, many predict an omnichannel future where bettors fluidly move between mobile, desktop, and retail betting, taking advantage of the unique benefits of each channel. Sportsbooks that can create a seamless experience across all platforms may have the edge going forward.

While smartphones are playing a major and rising role in sports betting, they are unlikely to completely replace other forms of wagering anytime soon. Canada’s bettors want options and omnichannel accessibility. However, it is clear that mobile sports betting is moving towards dominating the market, and operators must prioritize safe and responsible mobile experiences. If effectively regulated, smartphone gambling promises a convenient but controlled sports betting option.