What are the best online betting offers in Canada?

Online betting in Canada has become a hugely popular pastime in recent years, with many of the country’s passionate sports fans enjoying a wager on ice hockey, soccer, UFC, and a wide range of other events.

While there may be a shortage of online bookmakers that are based in Canada, many overseas bookmakers not only accept Canadian players but also have welcome offers for them and in some cases accept Canadian dollars and payment methods that are popular among Canucks.

Whether you love placing NFL parlays, or finding an edge in a niche sport, or even having a flutter in the casino section, Canadians are catered for by several of Europe’s top sportsbooks, with some classic British bookmakers as well as modern online betting sites expanding across the Atlantic.

With so many different betting sites and various types of sign up bonuses, it can be overwhelming for new customers looking for the best bookie to use - but the welcome offers are a great place to start.

First Deposit Bonus

One of the most common welcome offers for bettors in Canada is a first deposit bonus, in which you make an initial deposit and the betting company credits your account with a particular percentage of your deposit as bonus money.

More often than not, it will be a 100% matched deposit up to a certain figure, and these offers are regularly seen across both sports betting and casino.

In one of the best casino offers currently available, the Bet365 bonus code unlocks up to $200 as a 100% matched deposit bonus.

There are some key terms and conditions to keep in mind when it comes to first deposit bonuses, such as the minimum odds in which sportsbook bonus funds must be wagered on, and the number of times that the bonus money must be turned over before it becomes withdrawable as cash.

No Deposit Bonus

Highly sought after but rarely seen, a no deposit bonus is a reward given out by an online bookmaker simply for signing up with them.

In this instance, you do not need to add your own money into your account - it really is as close to free money as it gets, but you will usually need to wager the money a certain number of times before it is added to your regular cash balance.

Alternatively, the no deposit bonus could come in the form of a free bet, which in itself is an attractive type of sign up offer in many countries.

Free Bets

More common as a sign up offer among UK betting sites but also available in Canada, free bets are liked by punters because they do what they say on the tin and there are often no wagering requirements.

Again, terms and conditions are key, as the qualifying bet may need to meet certain criteria, such as minimum odds, number of selections, or the type of bet or sport it must be placed on.

Sometimes, your free bets will be credited as a number of small free bets, or it may be given as a lump sum that you must allocate to just one wager.

There is also such thing as a risk-free bet, in which you only get a bonus if your first bet loses.

Enhanced Winnings

Around big sporting events or tournaments, some sportsbooks may offer enhanced winnings or boosted odds as a sign-up offer, with the extra funds paid either as free bets or, preferably, as cash.

In the UK, this offer is particularly prominent around big horse racing events, the English Premier League, or some big boxing fights.

You also occasionally see this type of betting offer in Canada and other territories.

Verdict

Each type of betting offer has its own set of pros and cons, and each punter will have their own preferences.

If it is the big numbers that excite you, then a matched first deposit bonus might be the one to look out for, as you can scoop bonuses as big as $300 in some instances.

But if the wagering requirements attached to deposit bonuses put you off, then free bets are a great alternative as the winnings are often yours to keep without having to wager them again.

For sports bettors and casino gamesters, there is plenty to choose from and you are sure to find a welcome offer that suits you across the many betting sites that accept Canadian players.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes