How to Bet on International Sports from Canada Without Getting Ripped Off
Whether it's the English Premier League, the T20 World Cup, the Durban July, or the Six Nations Championship, most Canadian sportsbooks offer odds on global sports events. Following the legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021, there has been a rise in interest in International sports. Bettors can now wager on events from soccer to tennis, cricket, MMA, rugby, and darts.
However, this rise has also increased the risk of signing up with illegal betting sites offering unfair odds. Therefore, we've provided this guide to help you avoid falling victim to scam websites. See how to stay safe, pick the right platform, and bet smart.
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By LiveScore Desk, Editorial team for sports, betting and casino Last updated: 17 July 2025, 08:36AM
Is It Legal to Bet on International Sports from Canada?
The landscape of sports betting in Canada is controlled by each province. After betting on single sports events became legal in 2021, gambling regulators in each province began to issue licenses to both local and foreign sportsbooks. For instance, iGaming Ontario regulates betting activities in Ontario while Loto-Québec oversees the activities of betting sites in its region.
However, many offshore sportsbooks continue to offer odds on local and international sports events. While these platforms are not subject to provincial laws, they're not illegal. Most of them are licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Therefore, it is legal to bet on international sports in Canada. However, we recommend betting only at licensed and regulated sportsbooks.
The Risks of Unregulated or Offshore Betting Sites
Doing proper checks is crucial before signing up with a bookmaker. Your security is paramount and should be taken seriously. You run a risk of falling victim to a scam or other unfair treatment if you sign with an illegal betting site.
Here are some potential issues to be aware of.
Non-payment: A completely illegal betting site may refuse to pay customers' winnings. For example, there have been reports from bettors that Zenitbet has a history of confiscating their winnings.
Withdrawal delays: Withdrawals from Canadian sportsbooks typically take 1-7 business days to process. Some betting sites intentionally delay customers from claiming their winnings. They stall verification processes and raise issues with the terms and conditions. CRSportsBet have been found guilty of this.
Poor customer service: A sportsbook is not complete without a reputable customer support team. Unregulated sportsbooks are often uncontactable. They may take days to reply to a simple enquiry. Bookie.ag has been reported to be culpable of this.
Rigged odds: Some sportsbooks display unrealistic odds to attract customers, only to reduce them after they place a bet. Others set unrealistic wagering requirements for bonuses. Superbook have been found guilty of this.
How to Choose a Safe and Reputable Sportsbook
Choosing a safe and reputable sportsbook is the first step to betting on international sports without getting ripped off. Here are the key criteria to consider when making a choice.
Licensing and Regulation
To ensure your safety, playing at a licensed and regulated sportsbook is key. Watch out for licensing bodies such as iGaming Ontario, British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), and Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). If you want to bet with an offshore operator, ensure they are regulated by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
Regulated betting sites play by the rules. They are fair and always on the lookout for customers' safety. They provide clear terms and conditions and offer responsible gambling tools. By signing up with them, you can be sure of getting an audience during a dispute.
Payment Methods for Canadians
When choosing a betting site, focus on those that offer Canadian-focused payment options, such as Interac, PayPal, and MuchBetter. It's easier to deposit and withdraw when you find payment methods you're already familiar with.
Options like Interac offer fast and secure payments. Most methods, such as Visa and MasterCard, are encrypted, while some also provide two-factor authentication.
We understand that some offshore betting sites now offer cryptocurrency for anonymity. However, it's safer to use traceable fiat methods.
Additionally, we recommend signing up with a platform that enables Canadian dollars. This removes the hidden fees associated with converting from USD, GBP, or EUR.
Odds on International Sports
This is a no-brainer. If you're looking to wager on international sports, you need to find a sportsbook that offers odds on such events.
Once you have ascertained that the betting site has a reputable license, check for the available events. Your chosen platform should offer events for various sports, including soccer, cricket, tennis, MMA, rugby, volleyball, and badminton.
Some of the top competitions that most Canadian sportsbooks offer include the UEFA Champions League, Roland Garros, and the FiVB World Championship. You can also target odds for eSports events in League of Legends, Dota 2, Rainbow Six, and Counter-Strike.
User Reviews & Reputation
User reviews are just as important as licensing and payment methods. It's a way to understand the reputation and track record of the betting site.
Checking reviews from previous and current players helps you uncover hidden issues such as withdrawal delays and slow customer support. You can also check if the betting site adheres to bonus terms and consistently pays out.
We recommend checking reputable review platforms such as Trustpilot to get firsthand experience from players. The goal is to avoid scams and stay away from blacklisted sportsbooks.
Customer Support
It's not uncommon to face issues even on the best Canadian sportsbooks. It's how they help you fix it that matters.
Ensure your chosen platform has helpful customer support channels. The top sportsbooks are available 24/7 to attend to queries. They have channels via live chats, phone number, email address, and social media. Their representatives respond promptly and are polite in their approach.
While a betting site may claim to offer a fast response time, it's a good idea to test it. You may ask them questions about licensing, registration, or verification. You may also use review sites to confirm their customer support services.
Responsible Gambling Tools
It's easy to know if a betting site is regulated by how it promotes responsible gambling. All betting sites in Canada licensed by a provincial regulator must provide responsible gambling tools. Platforms without these tools are not recommended.
Look out for responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, loss limits and time limits. They help you set a cap on how much you deposit and lose, as well as how much time you spend on the platform.
Your chosen betting site must also offer self-exclusion. You can use it to ban yourself temporarily or permanently.
Tips to Maximize Value and Minimize Risk
Now that you've chosen a licensed betting site offering international sports, it's time to start betting. The following tips will help you minimize risk and maximize your wager.
Take Advantage of Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses do two things. It's a way for the sportsbook to appreciate you for signing up. It also improves your bankroll, and you don't need to start betting with your own money.
Most Canadian sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses. We encourage you to opt in for them. Because of strict regulations, licensed betting sites don't have hidden terms. They present the minimum deposits, wagering requirements, game contributions, and validity periods upfront.
Use these bonuses to explore more international sports. Try different markets in soccer, lacrosse, darts, and eSports. Betting should be fun, and if you have free funds, there is no better way to explore.
Compare Odds Across Multiple Sportsbooks
While betting is all fun, every bettor is looking for ways to win. Therefore, betting on valuable odds is crucial.
Sportsbooks provide different odds for the same events. If you want to get the best value for your money, it's better to wager with a platform with the biggest odds.
Hence, in addition to licensing and payment methods, visit several betting sites to compare their odds. It's called line shopping in betting. Register and bet with the platform with the best price to maximize your winnings.
Use Betting Strategies
If you're not just betting for fun, using betting strategies is a must. It helps you manage your bankroll, have a long-term plan, and avoid emotional decisions.
Flat betting is one of the strategies we recommend. You will bet the same amount of money for every wager, regardless of whether you win or lose the last one. We also recommend value betting, which involves wagering on an undervalued team or player. You must do proper research to determine if the odds are truly undervalued.
However, note that betting strategies don't guarantee wins. On the contrary, they help you stay disciplined and make smarter moves.
Stick to Familiar Sports and Leagues
We understand the excitement of trying something new. However, sticking to a sport or league you're familiar with is a good starting point. It gives you an edge over the sportsbook.
If you have a long-term game plan, betting on sports you know helps you maximize profits. You understand the rules and dynamics of each team, and it's easy to identify mispriced odds.
Betting on unfamiliar sports often leads to guesses. Doing that over a long time will eventually lead to losing all your bankroll.
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Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling is a must if you want to wager long-term. Knowing when to take a break is key to staying away from gambling addictions.
All betting sites regulated by provincial laws have time limits and self-exclusion to help you break away. They also have deposit and loss limits to control how much you spend.
It's also compulsory for all licensed sportsbooks to ask for your identification documents. They use it to confirm your identity and age. You'll also need to submit a copy of your utility bills to verify your address.
FAQs: How to Bet on International Sport from Canada Without Getting Ripped Off
