How to Use Live Betting to Your Advantage in Canadian Sportsbooks
The rise in live betting at Canadian sportsbooks isn’t surprising. The widespread use of mobile devices and internet access has allowed players to wager and follow games from anywhere. Market growth and better legalization have also attracted operators offering in-play betting.
Live betting boosts customer engagement. It allows players to experience the excitement of the game. It's also a chance to increase potential profit.
If you want to try something different from the usual pre-match betting, in-play betting sounds like fun. Learn how to use it to your advantage in this guide. We also share the top 5 Canadian sportsbooks offering live betting and streaming.
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By LiveScore Desk, Editorial team for sports, betting and casino Last updated: 15 July 2025, 08:58AM
What is Live Betting?
The most traditional way to bet is to place a wager before a game starts. Times have changed, and now you can bet on ongoing matches.
Live betting is a type of sports betting where you place a wager after the game has started and is still in progress. It differs from pre-game betting, which must be placed before the game begins.
Also known as in-play betting, live betting boosts user engagement. It allows players to react to the actions in the game as they happen. Bettors can make more informed choices to maximize their wagers.
Live betting offers unique betting markets that are not available before the game. Examples include the next goalscorer, the next team to score, race to points, the team to win this quarter, and the next scoring method. In Canadian football, you'll find options like the next touchdown scorer, point spread shifts, and the result of the current drive.
Why Live Betting is Gaining Popularity in Canada
The popularity of live betting in Canada is not far-fetched. First, most Canadian bettors prefer using their mobile devices. It's more convenient and allows them to place bets while on the move. Therefore, it's simple to keep track of ongoing games, even when they’re busy.
Second, many Canadian sportsbooks have enhanced mobile access by offering a mobile app. The app improves user experience with push notifications and the ability to stay logged into their accounts. Customers can quickly access live betting markets with just one click.
Additionally, internet speeds continue to improve. Players can easily place bets on fast-moving markets, such as Next Play Result. Most leading betting sites also provide live streaming. Customers can watch their favourite teams or players as the game unfolds.
Live betting is available on most sports at leading sportsbooks. The NHL and CFL betting markets are more extensive due to their popularity among Canadian bettors. Soccer, the NFL, MLB, and tennis are other sports where players can explore in-play markets.
Most betting operators provide live betting and streaming for matches involving all seven Canadian NHL teams. You can place bets on the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, or Ottawa Senators.
Since the CFL season runs from late May to November, there are plenty of live betting markets. In-play markets are offered for preseason, regular season, and playoffs.
Top Canadian Sportsbooks Offering Live Betting
You don't need to go far to find the top Canadian sportsbooks that offer live betting. Check out some of them below!
bet365: Available to players in Ontario and other provinces, bet365 provides in-play betting. Click “Live In Game” on the homepage to access various markets. bet365 also offers live streaming, early cashout, and live event data.
Sportaza: Click “Live Betting” in the menu of Sportaza to access the available ongoing games. Sportaza offers live markets for the NHL and CFL. You can stream matches and cash out early.
BetVictor: Tap “In-Play” on the homepage for live betting markets on soccer, basketball, tennis, ice hockey, and more. BetVictor provides real-time odds updates, statistics, and graphical simulations for most games.
Sports Interaction: Sports Interaction provides live betting markets and streaming options for eSports, hockey, basketball, and many other sports. Early cashout and odds updates are available.
Tonybet: Choose Tonybet for live betting markets with boosted odds. The sportsbook also provides odds updates and statistics.
Best Strategies for Using Live Betting to Your Advantage
Although live betting offers all the thrills and excitement, using effective strategies is key. Find the top strategies to improve your experience below!
Watch the Game While You Bet
Before betting on ongoing matches, it's crucial to understand what's happening in the game. The best way to do this is to watch the game while placing your bets. Most reputable sportsbooks in Canada offer live streaming, allowing you to watch the games. The goal is to help you make more informed decisions.
Watching the game also helps you identify in-game trends and take advantage of slow odds adjustments. By observing a game, you can predict the favourites to win even if the current result doesn't support them. It also keeps you focused on the game instead of making more random bets.
React to Momentum Swings
Live betting lets you spot momentum shifts. It's your job to react swiftly. For example, an injury to a key player can swing the odds in favour of the opposition. You need to be quick in placing your bets before the sportsbook updates the odds. You might find better odds value before they change. Watching the game also helps, as it enables you to react more quickly.
Instead of focusing on the more popular markets, betting on less common options can be more helpful when there's a change in momentum. For example, the Next Team to Score market in soccer makes sense when one team is dominating possession.
Take Advantage of Cash Out Options
Cashout is helpful for securing a profit in case the game shifts against your bet. It also helps reduce your losses if a match isn't going as expected.
Most leading Canadian betting sites offer a cash-out option to their customers. However, not all games qualify for cashing out. The cashout amount also varies based on the odds. The sportsbook continuously updates it until the game concludes.
We suggest using the cashout option if you're uncertain about the game's result. Partial refunds are preferable to losing your whole stake, aren't they?
Shop Around for the Best Live Odds
Odds determine your payout potential. To get the best value for your wager, we recommend shopping around for the best live odds. Canadian sportsbooks display different odds for the same betting market. Betting with an operator offering better odds gives you higher payouts.
Therefore, we suggest comparing odds for the same game from 3-5 sportsbooks. It's like comparing prices before making a purchase online. Open accounts with several betting sites for easy comparison. Also, platforms like Tonybet offer an odds boost, giving you more returns on your wager.
Use a Pre-Game Strategy as a Baseline
Whether you're playing pre-match or live betting, thorough research is crucial. Before the game begins, find out about the teams' statistics, available players, head-to-head records, and the weather forecast. The goal is to help you make the best possible betting decisions.
Once the game starts, observe the action and compare it to your expectations. Adjust your decisions accordingly before placing your live bet. Even if the game isn't going as planned, you can stick to your decisions. In such cases, the live odds might be higher, giving you more value for your money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Live Betting
Live betting often comes with excitement and engagement, and it's easy to fall victim to mistakes. Here are the common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Ignoring bankroll management: Setting a budget for betting is essential for responsible gambling. Keep separate funds for betting and personal expenses. Set a daily, weekly, or monthly limit, and adhere to it. Once you reach your limit, wait until the next cycle.
Chasing losses emotionally: One way to fall into problem gambling is by chasing losses. Understand that betting involves both winning and losing. Avoid trying to recover your losses at all costs, as you're likely to lose even more.
Not watching games: Using live streaming features to watch games helps you make more informed decisions. It's best to bet based on the actions in the game rather than using emotions.
Overbetting on high-odds swings: While betting on high-odds swings can increase your returns, you must proceed with caution, as it might be a trap. We advise using only a portion of your budget for such bets.
Want to Know More About Betting in Canada?
How to Profit from CFL Betting: A Strategy Guide for Canadian Football Fans
How to Bet on International Sports from Canada Without Getting Ripped Off
Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be addictive, so it's important to stay in control. That’s why regulated Canadian sportsbooks offer tools like deposit and time limits to assist you. They also provide win/loss limits to prevent overspending. If you need a break, consider self-exclusion to take time off betting. For further help, contact ConnexOntario, CAMH, OAMHP, or GGTU.
All Canadian sportsbooks conduct verification checks, where you must submit a government-issued ID to confirm your identity and age, as well as proof of residency in your province.
FAQs: How to Use Live Betting to Your Advantage in Canadian Sportsbooks
