NFL Betting Sites in Canada
No NFL teams call Canada home, but pro football is still a big deal here. Loyalties are split (and some diehards still say the CFL is better), but there’s a committed NFL fan base across the country. In particular, you’ll find a high number of Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings fans.
Interest in betting on the NFL is also big, and Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season is approaching. Canadians have bet on the NFL via parlay bets for years but single-game betting has opened the doors to NFL betting odds Canada has never seen. Here’s how to take advantage of it. If you’re ready to jump in right now, head over to the live NFL odds page.
Where to bet NFL online in Canada
To bet at any online sportsbook, you need an account. The good news is that you can take care of the entire process on your computer or phone. It’s quick and will take just a couple of minutes of your time. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
- To begin, click on our exclusive links to gain access to the best sign-up offers.
- You’ll be brought directly to the registration page where you’ll enter some basic details while following the prompts.
- Verify that everything is correct and click submit. Your new account will be created instantly.
- Take some time to look around. If you’ve registered on the computer, download the app to your phone from the sportsbook website and log in.
- Make your first deposit or get ready to use any free bets or bonus offers obtained.
- Review the latest NFL odds and get ready to bet.
Once everything is set, you’ll have access to a real sportsbook whenever you need it. You can handle everything you need right from your computer or phone, such as depositing or withdrawing, reviewing the lines, placing bets, or getting some help. The convenience factor really can’t be overstated.
Best Sportsbook Apps for NFL Betting
DraftKings app for NFL
The DraftKings sportsbook app is on the NFL’s very short list of Official Sports Betting Partners. The deal lets DraftKings Sportsbook use official League data, logos, trademarks, highlights, footage, and Next Gen Stats content on its platform. Plus, DK can run free-to-play NFL games on the platform and integrate its own NFL betting content into NFL media, including NFL.com.
The deal includes DK-NFL betting integrations across the NFL RedZone channel. DraftKings is also the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the NFL and collaborates with the NFL on all kinds of content and DFS and betting products aimed at engaging NFL fans.
The DraftKings Sportsbook app offers up a huge number of NFL betting options, including the largest variety of live NFL markets available, highlighted by Simplebet’s micro-betting technology and its increased number of live betting options for NFL games.
Expect DraftKings to be one of the first brands in every Province, starting with sportsbooks in Ontario.
FanDuel app for NFL odds
FanDuel Sportsbook is an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL, too. That means FanDuel can:
- Use NFL marks and logos
- Run NFL-themed free-to-play games
- Integrate NFL betting content directly into NFL Media properties
It also means FanDuel can run NFL highlights, footage, and Next Gen Stats content via its own apps and use the NFL’s official League data feed. Even more content integrations include NFL in-game and post-game highlights directly available via the FanDuel Sportsbook platform.
FanDuel can now produce its own NFL content and is working with the NFL on pre-game integration opportunities via the NFL Network.
Also for its actual odds, the FanDuel app has hundreds of NFL lines and odds available in-season. Fanduel NFL promos and odds boosts have included:
- 25-1 odds on either team to score a touchdown in a primetime game
- 30-1 odds on $5 bets on other games
- 49-1 odds on $3 bets on certain NFL games
PointsBet app for NFL
PointsBet is one of the NFL’s Approved Sportsbook Operators, which means the sportsbook licenses Official League Data from the NFL’s Official Data provider, Genius Sports. That data includes the NFL’s official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats, and the league’s official sports betting data feed.
PointsBet is also the official sports betting partner of NBC Sports, so it can include betting integrations into NBC Sports’ Football Night in America studio show ahead of the Sunday Night Football NFL broadcasts. These betting integrations are also in the Peacock Sunday Night Football Final postgame show after the games.
On top of its unique PointsBetting system (bets that can win more or lose more depending on the score differential), the PointsBet app has competitive NFL betting lines and odds plus NFL-specific betting promos.
NFL-specific promos at PB have included:
- PointsBet’s unique Good Karma Payouts and Early Payouts
For example, PointsBet’s Good Karma Kommittee issued refunds to anyone on the wrong end of the missed pass interference call in the Rams-Saints NFC Championship game. The very next season, PointsBet issued an Early Payout on Lamar Jackson MVP bets, paying out all bets on the Baltimore QB to win MVP in Week 11.
BetRivers app for NFL betting
BetRivers Sportsbook is not an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL but it is an Official Sportsbook Partner of the NFL’s Chicago Bears. NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka has also joined BetRivers as Brand Ambassador. Ditka streams content to BetRivers bettors directly via the BetRivers app and social media platforms.
This includes “Da Coach’s Picks of the Week” and “Beat Da Coach” weekly web video series.
The BetRivers Sportsbook app doesn’t get to use official NFL data, NFL logos, or run NFL-branded betting promos but it does have competitive NFL betting odds every week. Among BetRivers’ most popular NFL promos are:
- Exclusive Chicago Bears experiences and other Bears-related prizes.
- Fee NFL Pick’Em contest for depositors
- NFL Sunday Profit Boost for NFL bets with odds of -200 or greater
There’s also the BetRivers Risk It! game on the official app of the Chicago Bears.
Caesars Sportsbook app for NFL
Caesars Entertainment was the NFL’s first-ever casino sponsor and is an Official Sports Betting Partner of the league. As the NFL’s Official Casino Sponsor Caesars also has exclusive casino rights to use NFL trademarks in its marketing and provide NFL fan experiences at its casino properties.
Caesars will have a major presence at key NFL events like the Pro Bowl, NFL Draft, and Super Bowl LIX in 2025 in New Orleans. Caesars Entertainment also has sponsorship relationships with seven NFL franchises:
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New Orleans Saints
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Indianapolis Colts
- Baltimore Ravens
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
The Superdome in New Orleans, where the New Orleans Saints play, became the Caesars Superdome as a part of a 10-year and $138 million naming rights deal in 2020.
As an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL, the Caesars Sportsbook app has as many NFL betting options as almost any sportsbook on the planet, including live NFL markets and a good number of NFL-specific betting promos.
Basics of NFL betting for beginners
The NFL is the most popular option at legal sportsbooks by a wide margin. For each slate of weekly NFL games, you can zero in on the contests you want to bet on and explore a whole range of side bets. Here’s a detailed look at the top NFL bet types and what you need to know.
Point spreads, moneylines, and totals
The three main NFL bet types are prominently displayed at online sportsbooks. For each game on the schedule, the matchups will be listed with numbers next to both sides. When lines are negative, that points to the favourite. Positive digits are for the underdogs.
Here’s a look at an average game, followed by some details on how the three main sports bets work.
- Detroit Lions. 2.90 (+190) +5.5 (-110) O 52.5 (-110)
- Green Bay Packers 1.44 (-225) -5.5 (-110) U 52.5 (-110)
| Bet Types | How to Play | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Pick the side you think will win from the favourite or underdog. | Packers win 31-24. Bettors on that side have winning bets. |
| Point Spread | Choose the underdog plus the points or the favourite minus the spread. | A 31-24 win for Green Bay means they covered the spread. |
| Totals | Select Over or Under on the estimated total number of points scored. | A 31-24 game equals 59 points, which is Over the estimated total. |
NFL props & futures
All three of the big pregame bets will attract plenty of action for each NFL game. If you dig deeper into the menu, you’ll find lots of other ways to get in the game. Two of the most popular options are prop bets and futures odds.
The former provides you with lots of different opportunities for individual games; futures allow you to take a longer view on an NFL season.
Find props by clicking through the individual game listings. Since NFL games are so heavily bet, there will be lots of different options for each game. A prop revolves around something that may or may not happen during a game.
It can be based on the game as a whole or on the teams, as well as on the performances of individual players.
- Total receiving yards for Stefon Diggs – Over/Under 89.5?
- Will David Montgomery score two or more TDs – Yes/No?
- Who will have more receptions – Justin Jefferson or Amon-Ra St. Brown?
For the above examples, the odds work just like what you would see with a moneyline bet. There are numbers on both sides, and you simply make the call on which choice you think is right. There will also be props with multiple selections, such as the player to score the game’s first TD, plus the side to win the game.
Over in the futures market, you can make your predictions on how the NFL season as a whole might play out. Odds for the biggest futures markets will come out soon after the current season wraps up. Just like with any other wager, the odds board will adjust in response to betting action. Top NFL futures include:
- Super Bowl winner
- Division and conference winners
- Teams to make or miss playoffs
- Over/unders on regular-season NFL win totals
- Player award winners – NFL MVP odds, Rookie of the Year, etc.
Best NFL bets for beginners
NFL betting is incredibly popular, but it can be a little daunting for newcomers. There are lots of games and wagers to consider and plenty of numbers to dive into for each.
On the bright side, you don’t have to master everything all at once. Just take it slow and learn at your pace with a goal of building up your betting skills. Here are four intriguing spots to get started.
1. Passing yard props for top QBs
This one lets you focus on a specific segment of the game while gaining experience with NFL prop betting. If you have experience with fantasy sports, that’s fantastic. You can get up to speed quickly, but it’s not the end of the world if you’re starting from scratch. On the available props for each game, there will be an over/under on QB passing yards.
You can zero in on the estimates for a few of your favourite signal callers or focus on the top QBs in the league. The goal is to make the right call on the benchmark number set by the book. While researching, key in on factors like average yards for the QB, how much the opponent gives up and fantasy projections from respected outlets.
2. Moneyline or totals bets on marquee games
The top games of the week bring plenty of eyeballs to the screen and bettors to the window. Deciding which games to bet on each week can take some time, but you can begin by zeroing in on the most popular choices before expanding your horizons. Make these contests your focal point and handicap all of the ins and outs.
The goal is to find some simple moneyline bets or totals bets that you feel good about. There’s no guarantee you’re going to make the right call each time, but it lets you break the ice with handicapping games you’ll probably be tuning into anyway. Keep it simple to start and hold off on the spread betting until you’ve built up some consistency.
3. Futures bets on Super Bowl winner
By betting on the winner of the next Super Bowl, you’re gaining some season-long rooting interest. Even better, you could be in for a really nice score if you make the right call. Instead of putting all of your eggs in one basket, you can spread the risk out by making multiple picks on the winner of the next Big Game.
By making multiple selections, you gain more chances to win. If you budget correctly, then you’ll be in line to profit by making the right call. For example, five $20 bets puts you at $100 all-in. If one of your picks wins, then you’ve made some money, naturally depending on the odds for your winning call.
4. Follow the trend for spreads
This one takes some research, but it’s also a good way to expand your knowledge base and get you thinking about spreads. After the first few weeks of the season are in the books, begin researching the against-the-spread trends for teams. Each season, there are clubs that do well ATS, while others struggle mightily on that metric.
You can go even deeper by looking at how the teams do in various situations—home/away plus favourite/underdog in both spots—and then cross-reference with the week’s most appealing opportunities based on what you’ve found. Beating the spread consistently is tricky, but this exercise can help you find some potential winners.
Super Bowl odds
The Super Bowl is the biggest betting event of the year, and the same holds true in the futures market. Odds for the next Super Bowl are posted right after the Big Game for the current season goes in the books. The odds for a few favourites might look like this.
- Kansas City Chiefs 7.0 (+600)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8.5 (+750)
- Buffalo Bills 12.0 (+1100)
As an example, if you like the Bills to finally snag a Lombardi Trophy, you could wager $100 on them at odds of 12.. If they go out and get it done, you’re looking at a profit of $1,100. That’s an awesome score, but remember that futures can’t be settled until the outcome is known, so be sure to budget accordingly.
We have one other big note on the Super Bowl: as the top betting event of the year, sportsbooks will go all out. There will be hundreds of different prop bets offered for the game, including some with an entertainment spin attached, like the coin flip winner. For both props and futures, remember to always shop around to compare odds and offerings from the top shops.
Guide to live NFL betting
You don’t have to stop betting once the games kick off anymore. Live betting, mostly done via the sportsbook app on your phone or tablet, makes it possible. Also known as in-play betting, this is a fast-moving style that has grown to be incredibly popular at legal online sportsbooks.
Odds and offerings are based on real-time gameplay. You’ll see various opportunities as the games play out, such as:
- What will be the result of the Vikings’ next drive – TD/FG/TO?
- Who will have more passing yards in the second half – Josh Allen or Jared Goff?
- How many total points will be scored in the third quarter – Over/Under 13.5?
In addition, you’ll see updated lines for the top pregame bets. You can use live betting as a chance to hedge your initial positions or double down on your calls as a result. That said, remember to bet responsibly. It can be all too easy to get caught up in the excitement of in-game betting.
All of the top online sportsbooks offer live betting. The odds and offerings are updated constantly as games play out. Apps make for a great sidekick while you’re enjoying NFL games. You can watch the action play out on the big screen and check out the current state of the market with a quick glance at your phone.
This is especially true for Sundays, when there are multiple games at once. But in-game betting is also convenient to use for highlight games of the week including for betting Monday Night Football odds and Thursday Night Football odds.
Wild Card, Divisional Round & Super Bowl betting
During the regular season, each game on the weekly slate attracts plenty of action. Interest rises even further when the NFL Playoffs roll around. The 2020 season marked a big change, as the postseason field grew for the first time since 1990. There are now 14 teams that qualify for a crack at the brass ring, an increase from 12. Here’s how the field gets set.
- Seven teams from the two conferences—AFC and NFC—qualify for a total of 14. The first four spots in each conference go to division winners, while the final three on both sides go to Wild Card teams. Tiebreakers are used as needed to sort things out.
- The top seed in each conference gets a bye for the first round of the playoffs. The remaining 12 teams play on Wild Card Weekend. There are three games on both sides of the bracket, with winners advancing.
- Next is the Divisional Round for the remaining eight teams. There are four games in total—a pair each on the AFC and NFC side—with the winners advancing.
- The four winners pair up for the AFC and NFC Championship games. The winners of those two tilts advance to the Super Bowl.
All told, it’s 13 games to crown a champ. Betting volume is enormous for these games, with all of the top bet types bringing in plenty of business. Expect to see lots of movement on the odds. When it’s time for the Super Bowl, the action reaches a fever pitch. As mentioned earlier, oddsmakers will release hundreds of prop bets for the Big Game, including options such as:
- What will be the result of the coin flip – Heads or Tails?
- Will “The Star-Spangled Banner” be completed in under two minutes – Yes/No?
- Who will win Super Bowl MVP?
There are a lot of fun bets geared toward those who don’t pay much attention to football during the season but also a whole slew that are more serious in nature. The Super Bowl is a huge deal for sportsbooks, and they aim to please with lots of different opportunities for users to explore.
How to bet on the Bills, Lions, Vikings or Seahawks
At legal Canadian sportsbooks, each NFL game is an attraction that brings in tons of volume. In the individual markets, the local teams bring in lots of revenue, as do the squads with big national profiles. In Canada, teams just over the border fill that role.
The Bills and Seahawks both have huge followings across the nation. Each time they get set to step on the field, sportsbooks will be at the ready with odds and lines on how things may play out. The Lions and Packers have no shortage of fans in the middle of the country, either.
Check the latest odds for each team on our dedicated pages here:
NFL betting rules at sportsbooks
When betting on the NFL at sportsbooks, there are specific rules. These are known as house rules and can generally be found right on the operator website or mobile app. Many of the rules are very basic and cover how bets are placed and settled, while others dig into circumstances that can impact wagering. Here are a few key points to remember.
- All placed bets are action at kickoff and will be settled at the odds at time of bet placement regardless of any movement in the lines from that point.
- A slight delay or change in venue will have no impact on wagers, but a complete cancellation or postponement will lead to voided and refunded wagers.
- Player prop markets for athletes that are ruled out prior to game time will be voided and refunded.
- For futures bets, a complete cancellation of a season would lead to those markets being voided and refunded.
- The settlement of all wagers is based on official league data and statistics, and the book will not entertain disputes on those results.
While those are some of the key notes to know, it’s important to review the rules of the road wherever you play. Specific areas to pay attention to include how props are handled for players that fail to see action. Many rules are similar or standard across the industry for NFL betting, but you may come across some quirks from various operators here and there.
How to Bet on Sports Guide
Why stick to legal NFL betting sites in Canada?
Legal sportsbooks changed the landscape tremendously in Canada, but that doesn’t mean that the illegal gambling segment will wither up and dry away. There are still offshore operators and bookies that operate outside the law. They’re more than happy to take your business, but that doesn’t mean you should give it to them.
At illegal shops, there are no protections in place for Canadians specifically, most notably on the financial side. There are no guarantees that you will be paid out on your winnings and also nothing that says any funds you keep on site will be protected. When dealing with legal sportsbooks, they’re required to protect and segregate customer funds.
If an issue was to come up, there are clear-cut laws and paths to resolution. You won’t find the same story with offshore sportsbooks. They can operate in exotic locales and will often have non-existent customer service. If you want to bet on sports, stick to the legal shops and avoid the inevitable headaches that will come from dealing with illegal options.
Vegas NFL odds vs. Canadian NFL odds
Las Vegas is considered the sports betting capital of the world. While that sentiment has rung true for several decades, things are starting to change. Legal sports betting options can be found in many other places outside of Vegas. As such, Sin City no longer has the best odds in the industry on complete lockdown.
From a betting perspective, the word out of the desert served as the first and last word on sports betting odds for years. While the numbers coming out of Vegas are still held in very high regard, the expanded legal sports betting industry has changed the narrative. Operators outside of Vegas are dishing out odds that stack up quite well.
Due to betting volume, there’s no way the numbers will always be the same everywhere, and there will be times that Vegas has the best lines on an NFL game as a result. However, by shopping around with the top available operators, you’ll find that the odds are quite comparable between Sin City and other shops.
NFL betting vs. CFL betting
The Canadian Football League remains incredibly popular here at home. Those who are familiar with the CFL betting can get up to speed with the NFL quickly, but there are some very notable differences to keep in mind, both from a viewing and betting perspective.
At the top, the field for the Canadian game is much longer and wider than what you’ll find in the NFL. Next, there are 12 players per side on the field at a time in the CFL vs. 11 in the NFL. Last but not least, CFL teams get only three downs to try for a first down while NFL clubs get four tries at it.
Those are just some of the major differences, but there are also similarities between the two leagues. In short, if you have a good handle on one while not knowing much about the other, putting in the effort will lead to a very quick learning curve. Check our full analysis here:
NFL betting partnerships in Canada
There has been a growing trend of leagues and teams joining forces with sports betting and casino entities for sponsorship purposes. At the league level, the NFL has deals in place with Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel, while many of the individual teams have inked deals with local partners.
Down on the team level, examples include Seneca Resorts & Casinos being the “official casino sponsor” of the Buffalo Bills, and the Seattle Seahawks linking arms with Snoqualmie Casino. The trend hasn’t made its way over to Canada for the NFL just yet, but this is a situation that bears watching, as Canadian sports betting moves forward across the nation.
Best Canadian players in the NFL
A number of Canadian-born players have gone on to leave big imprints on the NFL, and there are several from the Great White North currently active in the league. Of the current crop of players, Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool is the biggest standout.
Born in Abbotsford, BC, he played college ball at Notre Dame before being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. During his rookie campaign, he announced his arrival in big-league fashion with a four-TD performance in a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The future looks incredibly bright for Claypool, so it’ll certainly be interesting to see how his career develops. Looking back through the pages of NFL lore, here are some of the more notable Canadian-born players and their claims to fame.
Nate Burleson
- Birthplace: Calgary, AB
- Position: Wide receiver
- Drafted: Round 3 in 2003
- Career: 2003-14
- Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns
- Highlights: Member of Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team
- Stats: 457 receptions, 5,630 yards, 39 receiving TDs
- Notes: Currently works for NFL Network and CBS Sports
Eddie Murray
- Birthplace: Halifax, NS
- Position: Kicker
- Drafted: Round 7 in 1980
- Career: 1980-2000
- Teams: Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Minnesota Vikings
- Highlights: Second-team NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- Stats: 75.5 field goal percentage, 1,594 points scored
Bronko Nagurski
- Birthplace: Rainy River, ON
- Position: Fullback, linebacker, tackle
- Career: 1930-37, 1943
- Teams: Chicago Bears
- Highlights: Hall of Fame class of 1963, 3x NFL champion, 4x first-team all-pro
- Stats: 2,778 rushing yards, 25 rushing TDs
Mark Rypien
- Birthplace: Calgary, AB
- Position: Quarterback
- Drafted: Round 6 in 1986
- Career: 1986-2002
- Teams: Washington Football Team, Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks
- Highlights: MVP of Super Bowl XXVI, 2x Super Bowl champion
- Stats: 18,473 passing yards, 115 passing TDs
Single-game NFL betting vs. parlay betting
Under prior Canadian law, the only form of sports betting was parlay betting under the provincial lottery authorities. In a nutshell, you had to make two or more NFL bets per betting ticket and be right on all of your choices to win your bet.
While parlays are fun and pay well, they’re also really tough to win consistently. For each selection you add to a slip, the risk mounts. For hardcore and casual NFL bettors alike, single-game betting is a real game-changer. You have more options and more say over what you bet on.
Parlay lottery games have odds attached, and there are even props and spread elements to be found, but it’s just a different story with single games. Users can bet on as many or few NFL games on a slate as they want. They’re no longer required to add a few together from what’s offered up on a lottery card.
If you’ve gained some experience with NFL parlay betting, then you can translate what you’ve learned over to single-game. And if you like wagering on parlays, you can still do that. But you also have a whole world of other NFL bets at your disposal.