Best NHL Betting Sites
Here are the top NHL betting sites in Canada as recommended by the Gambling Zone experts. Our team has rigorously tested and reviewed these sites to bring you a list of the best options for NHL betting in Canada.
Note: If based in Ontario, any content mentioning bonuses, promotions, wagering or free spins is not intended for you, following Ontario regulations. If located in that province, please go to Ontario Casinos
Mr. Play Sport
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Zet Bet Sport
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Luckster Sport
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Vegas Land Sport
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How we choose the best NHL betting sites
With so many NHL betting sites available, it can be tough to determine which ones are legitimate, safe, and offer the best features. At Gambling Zone, we take this process seriously and have developed a strict set of criteria to determine which sites are the best. As a trusted review site, we have scoured the internet to find the top NHL betting sites in Canada that offer the best odds, promotions, and overall user experience.
In this section, we will explain our selection process and what to look for when choosing a betting site.
Legitimacy and Licencing
When evaluating an NHL online betting site, Gambling Zone exclusively collaborates with authorised and properly licensed betting platforms. This ensures adherence to industry regulations and compliance with the law. Verification of legitimacy encompasses confirming the possession of an appropriate licence from a trusted gambling commission. For Canadian operations, a reputable licence such as one from the Malta Gaming Authority is sought. In the context of Ontario, this signifies a licence issued by AGCO & iGaming Ontario. Additionally, we emphasise the significance of operational transparency, encompassing easy to understand terms, privacy policies, and responsible gambling directives.
Betting Markets and Odds
A wide array of NHL betting markets is crucial, covering moneylines, spreads, totals, props, and futures. Offering a comprehensive selection enables bettors to tailor their choices according to their preferences and strategies. Moreover, having competitive odds is paramount to ensure favourable payouts for successful bets. Betters can enhance their potential returns on wagers by comparing odds across different platforms, aiding in making well-informed decisions and selecting a betting site that provides the best odds.
Live Betting Options
Live betting, or in-play betting, is a feature that allows users to place bets on a game while it is in progress. Top NHL betting sites should provide an array of in-play betting options, including the ability to bet on the next goal, the halftime or full time score, and a number of different options. Some sites offer live stats and visualisations to help players make informed live betting decisions. Live markets usually come online as soon as a game starts.
Mobile Experience and Betting Apps
The mobile experience is crucial in today’;s betting environment. The most recent data shows that an easy to use mobile app is one of the top factors that sports bettors take into consideration when choosing a betting site to bet with. This means that NHL betting sites need to offer a seamless mobile experience or have a dedicated mobile app. The Gambling Zone site reviewers will verify the compatibility of these platforms with a range of mobile devices and operating systems, guaranteeing that players can engage in hassle-free betting no matter their preferred device.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions make up a range of incentives, notably welcome bonuses that enhance your initial deposits. Free bets are also quite common as they grant bettors the opportunity to place bets without staking their own funds. Our reviewers will also look at promotions designed for existing bettors, such as cashback offers, odds boosts, or loyalty programs. We assess different aspects of the bonuses such as the bonus amount and the terms around a bonus to make sure it is fair for the player.
Customer Support
Although no one enjoys having an issue, it does happen. When it does, it is important to get reliable and responsive customer support services. The Gambling Zone reviewers will evaluate their responsiveness to inquiries or concerns, and take note of the time it takes to get a response. Timely assistance is critical during crucial betting moments. We will also assess the helpfulness and knowledge of the support team. Finally, we also take a look at the different communication channels that are available to players, like live chat, email, or phone, as it allows users to seek assistance in the manner most convenient for them.
Popularity of Hockey Betting Sites
Betting on Popular NHL Events
Ice hockey betting has increased in popularity, especially due to the abundance of NHL games and the ongoing regularisation of sports betting in various Canadian provinces and territories. There are hundreds of NHL games to bet on each year. Here are the biggest NHL events that are the most bet on.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
The pinnacle of NHL betting, where teams compete in a series of rounds to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals, garnering substantial betting interest and wagering opportunities.
Stanley Cup Finals
The ultimate championship series where two teams battle for the prestigious Stanley Cup, attracting significant betting action from fans and bettors alike.
NHL Regular Season Games
Each regular season game offers a multitude of betting opportunities, from simple moneyline bets to prop bets on specific player performances, making it a constant draw for NHL bettors.
NHL Winter Classic
An annual outdoor game held on New Year's Day, featuring notable teams in an iconic outdoor setting, drawing significant betting interest due to its unique appeal.
NHL All-Star Game
An exhibition match where the league's best players compete, often offering various special bets and prop bets due to the star-studded nature of the event, making it a favoured choice among bettors.
Ice Hockey Betting outside the NHL
Outside the NHL, there are also a couple of events that are very popular for ice hockey betting.
International Ice Hockey Competitions (e.g., IIHF World Championship): International ice hockey tournaments like the IIHF World Championship gather teams from around the world, providing exciting betting opportunities. Bettors often wager on match outcomes, goal totals, player performances, and more, making it a popular choice for ice hockey betting enthusiasts.
Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Tournament: Ice hockey is a prominent sport in the Winter Olympics, drawing immense interest from bettors. Betting options range from predicting overall tournament winners to individual match outcomes, giving bettors a chance to engage in exciting wagering during this prestigious global event.
These events showcase high-level ice hockey beyond the NHL and attract a global audience of bettors looking to add excitement to the competition through wagering.
NHL Betting Market Types
NHL betting offers a number of different market types, providing unique betting opportunities for fans. A lot of the popular betting markets are similar to what you find for other sports however the NHL does have some specific markets which we will mention below.
Moneyline Betting
Moneyline betting in the NHL involves predicting which team will win the game outright. In this betting market you are just predicting who will win the game. There is no option for a draw.
Point Spread Betting
Point spread betting involves wagering on the margin of victory for a particular team. The sportsbook sets a point spread, assigning a certain number of points that the favoured team needs to win by to "cover the spread."
Over/Under (Total) Betting
Over/Under betting, also known as Total betting, requires predicting the combined total number of points that both teams will score in the game. The sportsbook sets a specific figure, and you bet whether the actual total will be over or under that number.
Prop Bets (Player Props)
Prop bets, or proposition bets, allow you to bet on individual player performances, team statistics, or specific events during the game. Examples include betting on a player's total points scored in a game (goals and assists), which team will score first, how many shots will be taken on goal, or what time the first goal will be scored.
Futures Betting
Futures betting involves making a bet on the outcome of an event, performance, or milestone that will be determined at a later date, which is why it is called futures betting. This includes bets which team will win the Stanley Cup, who will be the Conference champions, how many points each team will get, and also various player awards (for example the MVP award).
Live Betting (In-Play Betting)
Live betting, or in-play betting, involves placing bets on various markets while the game is in progress. You need to be watching the game and betting at the same time so that you can react to what is happening in the game. These bets will have a potentially very short lifetime but do add thrill to the experience of watching a game.
Hockey Betting Site Bonuses and Promos
When it comes to NHL betting sites, players are often attracted to the generous promotions and bonus offers available. At Gambling Zone, we make sure to highlight the best deposit bonuses and exclusive promotions on the market. These bonuses can take many forms, including free bets, cashback offers, and matched deposit bonuses. Here are some of the most popular bonus types you can find on NHL games:
- Matched deposit bonus: The betting site will match a percentage of the player's first deposit, up to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit $100 you will then get $100 in bonus money. This means you will have a total of $200 in your wallet.
- Free bet or bonus bet: The player receives a free bet after meeting certain conditions. This can be anything from placing a qualifying bet, losing a bet, or making a deposit.
- Cashback bonus: The player receives a portion of their losses back in the form of a bonus. This is defined as a percentage, for example, a 15% Cashback bonus up to $100.
- Enhanced odds: The betting site offers boosted odds on certain events, often for new customers.
- No Betting Limits: Many betting sites will place a limit on how much you can bet on a certain sports markets but some sites will remove these limits and allow you to place bets without any limits on the amount.
- Promo Codes: It is important to check whether a site requires you to input a certain promo code in order to claim a bonus. Another important thing to check is when you need to insert the code. Sometimes you will need to do it before you deposit, sometimes after, and sometimes when you are claiming the bonus.
Be sure to check out our reviews to find the best NHL betting sites with the most generous promotions and bonus offers.
Online NHL Betting Tips
When it comes to NHL betting, having a good grasp of the sport and its available markets is essential for success. Online NHL betting tips can be a valuable resource in enhancing your betting experience. These tips, often provided by experts, offer insights and utilise the latest information and tools to help you increase your chances of placing winning bets. At Gambling Zone all our predictions and betting tip articles are written by experienced bettors and sports journalists. Here are our tips on what to do to maximise your betting experience.
Compare Odds
To maximise your winnings in NHL betting, securing the best odds is key. Comparing odds from various bookmakers or sportsbooks ensures you get the most value for your bets. Utilise online comparison platforms to find betting sites offering optimal odds for the matches you intend to bet on. Assess odds for different bet types, such as moneyline, point spread, and over/under, as even slight differences can result in significant gains.
Gamble Responsibly
Responsible gambling is paramount. Set clear limits and budgets for your betting activities, emphasising that betting is meant for entertainment rather than profit. Avoid chasing losses and take breaks to maintain a clear mindset. Seek support and resources if you find it challenging to manage your gambling habits. You can get more information about different gambling self-help resources on our Responsible Gambling page.
Parlays can combine short prices
Parlays are a favoured betting method in NHL betting, especially when individual game odds are low. By merging multiple short-priced selections into a single bet, you can aim for a higher potential payout. However, the more selections you add, the higher the risk of losing. Remember also that all your selections need to win for you to win the bet.
Try Live Betting while watching the game
Live betting is a different experience when it comes to NHL betting. It enables real-time betting while the game is in progress, allowing you to react swiftly to in-game events. By staying updated with team performance and tactics, you can make well-informed bets during the game.
Team News and Stats
Keeping abreast of current team news and statistics is crucial for making well-informed NHL bets. This includes monitoring injuries, suspensions, and other factors that could influence a team's performance. Utilise reliable sources and online platforms to stay informed and stay ahead of the game.
NHL Betting Sites FAQs
In this section, we will answer some frequently asked questions about NHL betting sites. We will cover everything from the legality of online betting to the best live NHL betting tips. Read on to find out more.
