3 Best Esports Betting Sites in Canada (2025)

The gaming industry has grown to be one of the largest ones in the world, connecting billions of people to one another. That includes developers, players, game streamers, critics, and countless other professions that revolve around the gaming industry. Of course, when we talk about gaming, we cannot forget about the betting aspect.

The gambling industry is technically a part of the gaming industry, as casino games and sports are also classified as games. However, since the rise of what we consider modern-day gaming, a new category emerged as well, known as eSports. These gaming tournaments are now so huge in countries like Canada that they are a separate category of the gambling industry, and funnily enough, they offer a great opportunity to win quite a bit of money. With that said, we decided to create a list of the top 5 best eSports betting sites for Canadian gamblers.

eSports Betting Legislation in Canada

Sports betting has been legal in Canada since 1985, and online sports betting is no exception. There were some limitations on sports betting in Canada. Such as single-event betting was illegal until 2021, when Bill C-218 was passed. Before that, Canadian bettors could not place single bets on sports events. Just parlay wagers.

So eSports betting is legal in Canada, but there are a few things to note. The Canadian sports betting market varies between each province, and Ontario has the greatest offering of them all. This is because Ontario opened its gambling market in 2022 to legitimize the presence of international sportsbooks. These sportsbooks could obtain Ontario licensure and operate in the province fully legally.

Other Canadian provinces still use a single-sportsbook market. These provincial sportsbooks are either run by the state, or by recognised and approved corporations. For instance, in British Columbia, the British Columbia Lotteries Corporation runs PlayNow, the provincial sportsbook. In Alberta, the provincial sportsbook, PlayAlberta, is run by the state. The drawback is that, without competition, the offering at these sportsbooks is not great.

And let's be honest, eSports is still a niche sport to bet on. Therefore, there are little to no options for Canadian bettors in the provinces outside Ontario. But the good news is that the laws do not prevent you from joining an international betting site. A lot of these are also recognised in Ontario, holding double licensure. These alternative betting sites hold iGaming licenses outside the province's jurisdiction. For example, in the UK, Malta, Curacao or even Kahnawake. And as they have a greater pool of resources and community to cater to, the eSports offering is a lot more comprehensive than the provincial sportsbooks.

1.   CloudBet

Next up, we have CloudBet, which is a platform established in 2013. Over the last decade, it managed to obtain a license from Curacao and Montenegro, and it is rich in payment options, including cryptocurrencies. Once you deposit money to the platform, you can immediately start placing bets on eSports games such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike (CS:GO), Dota 2, FIFA, King of Glory (Honour of Kings), League of Legends (LOL), and NBA2K.

CloudBet is well-known for being reliable and safe, but also transparent. With two licenses, you can be sure that there are no tricks or foul play when it comes to its service and games, and it also features quick payouts so you will have your money very quickly after winning it.

Visit CloudBet →

2.   Thunderpick

Lastly, we have a crypto betting platform designed for gamers and eSports enthusiasts called Thunderpick. This is a sports betting site and a casino that has been around for around five and a half years at the time of writing, after being established in January 2017. Canadian gamblers can use it to access a variety of games, such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike (CS:GO), Dota 2, FIFA, King of Glory (Honour of Kings), League of Legends (LOL), and NBA2K.

Thunderpick also supports sports betting, as well as casino games from pretty much all categories. Like the others on this list, it was licensed by the Curacao Gaming Commission, and while it doesn’t have the friendliest user interface, it is fairly easy to learn how to navigate it.

Visit Thunderpick →

3. TonyBet

TonyBet has been live since 2009, and is a sportsbook that caters to bettors in countries all over the world. It has multiple iGaming licenses, including ones with iGaming Ontario and Kahnawake, giving it legal access to Ontario and making it an alternative option for punters in the rest of Canada. This sportsbook covers loads of sports, from major North American leagues such as the NFL, NHL, MLB, and so on, to international sporting leagues and tournaments. TonyBet has a special place for eSports, with seperate categories for CS:Go, LoL, CoD, Dota, and more.

It covers various international and regional eSports tournaments, with plenty of props markets and live bets to get you thinking. The platform has bespoke apps for iOS and Android users, so you can take your eSports bets with you on the go. Plus, it provides a variety of payment options, including the ever popular Interac and Instadebit. The minimum deposit is set at $10, and the minimum stake for each bet is just 10 cents. What's more, TonyBet is available in English, French and 3 other languages.

The only shortcomings are that TonyBet has limited round robin and advanced parlay options. However, if you are planning to make eSports props bets, bet on live events, and are happy with parlays/SGPs and straight bets, TonyBet does a remarkable job.

Visit TonyBet →

Betting on eSports in Canada

eSports betting is gaining traction in Canada, where the sport is quickly becoming a popular hit. Regional championships, expos, and big international tournaments that came to Canada helped to put the spotlight on eSports. And the betting scene has grown quite organically, with a lot of fans looking to stake their predictions and follow all the action through betting. The National eSports Tournament, NEST, was founded in 2018 with the purpose of expanding the opportunities and community across Canada. And Canada is quickly becoming a notable player in the international eSports community.

As for betting on eSports, it is fully legal in Canada. Though, as we noted above, there are some limitations on bettors. It all depends on which province you are betting out of.

Ontario eSports Betting Market

Right now, Ontario is the only province in Canada with an open gambling market. In 2022, Ontario opened its doors to international online sportsbooks. These are governed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario through iGaming Ontario, its subsidiary agency. iGaming Ontario has the autonomy to issue licences and regulate all operators in the province.

And it is also responsible for maintaining game integrity, player safety and responsible gambling. Betting on single events, including individual eSports matches or outcomes, is entirely legal under Ontario's regulated model.

Other Canadian Provinces Betting Scenes

In the rest of Canada, online sports and eSports betting is managed by each province's own lottery and gaming corporation. Betting on popular sports such as NFL, hockey, basketball, CFL and baseball is covered, but the options are a bit scarce. So niche sports like eSports betting is really limited. You may find options to bet on eSports, but don't expect many betting markets. Live betting, props, and international coverage is quite poor.

And they take on punters from regions in Canada outside Ontario. Therefore, you can bet on eSports and find all the extra markets and features that Ontario punters use.

Types of eSports Bets

When it comes to betting on eSports, the standard betting markets pretty much mirror traditional sports. Though you will also find a few game-specific variations. The most straightforward wager is the match winner, or moneyline, where you bet on which team or player will win a match. You can also place outright bets, predicting the winner of an entire tournament before it starts.

Then, there are the eSports equivalents of totals and handicap (point spreads). Generally, these will relate to games in a series, or maps won in a series of games. For example, you can bet on a CS:GO match, picking a team to win with a handicap of -1.5 maps. Or, for totals betting, pick a team to win Over 1.5 Maps, or for the series to conclude with Over 2.5 Maps. It all really depends on the format of the clash.

Live betting is another exciting feature in eSports betting, allowing players to place wagers in real-time as the match unfolds. Odds fluctuate rapidly based on in-game events, adding a dynamic element to the experience. Some platforms even offer prop bets like “First Blood” or “Most Kills” depending on the game being played. Here are some top eSports betting props by category.

First Person Shooter Games (CoD, CS:Go, Valorant, Rainbow Six)

• First kill (First Blood)
• Most kills by a player
• Total headshots
• First team to reach 10 kills
• Total rounds over/under

RTS/MOBA Games (LoL, Dota 2, etc)

• First Blood
• First to destroy a tower
• First team to slay heroes/specific characters
• Most kills by a specific player
• Team to score first 10 kills
• Will the game go over X minutes?

Sports Games (FIFA, NBA2K, etc)

• First team to score
• Total goals/points over or under
• Will a player score a hat-trick/double-double?
• Number of fouls or penalties
• Outcome of the first half
• Will there be a comeback win?
• Final score correct prediction

Battle Royale Games (Fortnite, PUBG, Warzone, etc)

• First team/player to get a kill
• Total kills by a specific player
• Will the player finish in the top 5?
• Longest kill distance

And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

Responsible Tools for Gamblers

All the licensed sportsbooks we have selected above have responsible gambling initiatives. They are mandated by iGaming Ontario, and other reputable gambling authorities to supply responsible gambling tools. For example, deposit limits, reality checks, self-assessment and links to Canadian gambling helplines.

You are fully encouraged to use these, to keep control of your gambling habits. Through deposit limits, you are essentially creating a maximum spending limit. This can be set on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. That way, you will not be allowed to spend more than your limit.

Reality checks are useful to keep you informed of how long you spend at a sportsbook. These are usually suggested to casino gamers, but it can also come in handy for sports bettors. You don't want to spend hours browsing markets and analysing the odds. Or, when you are betting on live eSports games, it is best to keep an eye on the time. A game of Dota 2 lasts around 40 minutes on average. But when you have already followed 2 games, do you need to bet on game 3? The mathematics of gambling all point to the same thing. The longer you play, the more likely you will lose your money.

Not because of your competence, but just because there are psychological traps to gambling. These aren't always obvious either.

Importance of Playing Responsibly

Playing responsibly is not just about controlling your spending habits. Like betting on sports, eSports betting can also be addictive. Some punters can get carried away with the thrill of gambling and take their betting to excess. Though it is a long distance between placing a bet on eSports and becoming addicted, even casual punters can feel the powerful impact of betting psychology.

Betting is not like casino games, there is a skill based element to it. For example, you can research your wagers and make informed decisions. Or, you can build strategies around which types of bets you want to place. You can pick a bet with longer odds, or settle for one with shorter odds. Parlay building is also very much a personal decision, and you are setting the terms. Do you want 3 eSports bets in your parlay, or do you need that fourth to extend the odds?

But this element of control in betting can also be our undoing. Some bettors get overconfident, building optimism bias and gambler's conceit, when betting. You may get sucked into winning streaks, looking for betting patterns, and even underplay the risks with each bet.

Psychology of Gambling and Dangers

The psychology behind gambling is complex, and it's a major factor in how we engage with eSports betting. The brain responds to the uncertainty and reward system of gambling in much the same way it responds to other forms of stimulation, by releasing dopamine. This chemical is associated with pleasure, and it reinforces behaviors, making us want to repeat them.

Over time, our dopamine regulation changes. If you are winning and have more than you started with, you may feel the urge to up the ante. Bet more aggressively and try to amplify those wins. Or, in a losing position, it can lead to some gamblers trying to bet more to get back to square one. And one thing to note about chasing losses is that it usually doesn't end well.

But there are lots of other psychological impacts. It can make some bettors overestimate their chances of winning with specific bets. For example, betting on the favorites. If a team wins 3 games in a row, it doesn't necessarily mean they will win the 4th. But the hot hand fallacy would have you look at that team in a different light. Optimism bias also has us focus on results and not on how a team wins. They may pull through by the skin of their teeth and barely win their games. Yet we look at their results and judge based on paper form.

Therefore, you should always take breaks when you can, and avoid betting out of emotion or impulse. Keep eSports betting a fun hobby. There are no guarantees you will win your bet, and you must be prepared in case of a loss.

Conclusion

With that, we conclude our list. Now, make no mistake – these are not the only betting platforms where you can bet on eSports. However, these are the best, safest, and most reliable platforms, where each website is licensed and regulated. Many other websites where you can access eSports betting either offer poorer features or bad security and some may even be scam sites where the main goal is to steal the gamblers’ money. With these ones, you know exactly what you get, which makes them safe and appreciated by their users.

eSports Betting in Canada FAQs

Is eSports betting legal in Canada?

Yes, you can bet on eSports in Canada. Ontario has lots of top eSports betting sites, but the pickings in the other provinces is a bit limited. The provincial sportsbooks either don't have eSports bets, or just a modest selection. So a lot of punters use international betting sites in these provinces. Some of which hold multiple licenses, and are also available in Ontario.

What eSports games can I bet on in Canada?

The top eSports betting sites in Canada cover loads of different eSports. Commonly, you will find lots of FPS such as CoD, Valorant and CS:Go. They also provide RTS or MOBA games, the most popular of which are Dota 2 and LoL. But you will also find various sports games too, such as FIFA, NBA2k, and loads more.

Can I bet on eSports using my phone?

Yes, the best Canadian eSports betting sites are fully optimised for mobile betting. You can access all the betting markets, review and edit your wagers, and stake them all on your smartphone. Some eSports betting sites also have live streams, which you can also stream directly on your phone.

Are eSports bets fair and secure?

If you use licensed and reputable sites, your bets and data are safe and fair. In Ontario, the sites licensed by iGaming Ontario are fully legitimate and fair to play at. If you are living outside Ontario, you can opt for international betting sites, but be sure to check their licensure and accreditation. Those that are licensed by Kahnawake, the UK, Malta or Curacao are safe,

Can I live bet on eSports?

Yes, most platforms offer in-play betting with real-time odds updates.

Are eSports winnings taxed in Canada?

No, gambling winnings are generally tax-free unless you’re a professional gambler. As long as gambling is not your main source of income or tied to a business, your profits are not taxed.