Find Sportsbook Promos in Canada – Make the Most Out of Your Bets
From big welcome sportsbook promos to ongoing betting offers, we’ll break down all the major types of bonuses available in Canada, explain how they work, and provide expert insights on what to consider before jumping in.
- 100s of Daily Props
- Min. Deposit $20
- $250 extra for Canadian Customers
- 1000s of prop specials
- Min. Deposit $20
- Pro & Amateur Sports
- Min. Deposit $20
- 1000+ Bets Daily
- Min. Deposit $20
- 24/7 Virtual Betting
- Min. Deposit $20
- Min. Deposit
Top 5 Sign Up Sportsbook Bonus Offers
We carefully reviewed the sportsbook bonus offers of 20+ operators and it was really hard to select only the best ones. Below you will find a fraction of the information regarding the welcome bonuses of the sportsbooks so whichever one you choose, please read the T&Cs further on the website.
Bodog – 100% up to $300
Bodog’s sportsbook bonus offers up to $300 in extra betting funds for new players. This betting bonus is typically structured as a 100% match on the first deposit, and requires a $20 minimum deposit. Payout speeds range from as fast as 15 minutes for cryptocurrency withdrawals to up to 15 days via traditional methods like bank transfers. This wide range of payout times reflects Bodog’s ability to accommodate both rapid and standard cashouts. No special promo code is needed to claim this offer because it’s usually credited automatically when you deposit.
Everygame – 100% up to $750
Everygame offers a bonus package worth up to $750 in total for new bettors. This welcome betting promotion is spread across multiple deposits, often structured as three separate 100% match bonuses of up to $250 each. Canadian customers get an extra $250 in bonus for a potential total of up to $1,000. The minimum deposit required to use each offer is about $20, and an 8x rollover applies to the bonus funds. Payout speeds for Everygame withdrawals are between 48 hours for faster methods to about 5 business days for bank transfers.
Betway – 100% up to $200
Betway’s betting bonus for new customers is a welcome offer of up to $200 in value. It’s often structured as a 100% match on your first deposit or a risk-free first bet (where your first wager is refunded in free bets if it loses, up to $200). A minimum deposit of $20 is required to activate the bonus offer. Payout range from 1 to 10 business days, depending on the method (with e-wallets typically on the faster end).
Ivibet – 100$ up to $230
Ivibet welcomes new sports bettors with a first deposit bonus of up to $150. This betting bonus is a 100% match on your initial deposit (capped at $150 in extra funds). Only the first deposit qualifies for this promo, so to maximize it you may want to deposit the full $150. A minimum deposit of $30 is required to activate the offer. Payout speeds for Ivibet range from about 1 business day (via fast methods like e-wallets or crypto) to up to 10 business days for traditional banking.
Sports Interaction – 100% up to $125
Sports Interaction offers new customers a sportsbook bonus of up to $125 in extra betting credit. Typically structured as a 100% match on the first deposit, this promotion gives you an equal amount in bonus funds up to that $125 limit. To qualify, a minimum deposit of $20 is required, and no promo code is needed — eligible players receive the bonus automatically upon depositing. Withdrawals are processed in 1 to 3 business days.
Sportsbook Bonus for New Players
Canadian sportsbooks use several types of welcome sportsbook bonus offers, but all are essentially incentives to register and start betting.
Deposit Match Sign Up Bonuses
The book matches a percentage of your first deposit with bonus funds. For example, a 100% deposit match up to $300 means if you deposit $300, you get $300 in bonus money.
- How It Works: You deposit funds and the sportsbook credits bonus money to your account almost instantly. The bonus is typically a percentage of your deposit (50%, 100%, sometimes 150% or more) up to a certain cap. These bonus funds show up in your balance but aren’t immediately withdrawable. You’ll need to “unlock” or earn the bonus by betting.
- Rollover Requirements: Deposit matches come with rollover (playthrough) conditions. This means you must wager a multiple of the deposit and bonus amount before the bonus turns into real cash. A 5x rollover on a $100 deposit + $100 bonus would require $1,000 in total bets before you can withdraw any winnings. Sportsbooks clearly state these requirements in the terms, but it’s on the player to read them.
- Pros & Cons: The upside is a larger bankroll right off the bat, effectively doubling your money if it’s a 100% match. This can be great for trying more bets or higher stakes. However, the downside is you’re committing to substantial betting volume. If the rollover is high (some can be 10x or more), it forces you to bet a lot just to claim the “free” money. Expert tip: Treat deposit bonuses as a nice perk, but only deposit an amount you’re comfortable wagering through in full.
Many top Canadian sportsbooks offer deposit matches as their welcome promotion. Some Ontario-licensed betting sites provide a 100% match on first deposit. Always check the exact percentage and max value – smaller operators might give a high match (e.g. 100% up to $500), whereas others focus on different bonus styles.
Betting Site | Deposit Bonus |
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🏒Bodog🏒 | Visit website |
⚾Everygame⚾ | Visit website |
🏀Betway🏀 | Visit website |
⚽Ivibet⚽ | Visit website |
🏈Sports Interaction🏈 | Visit website |
No Deposit Bonuses
The sportsbook gives you bonus funds or a free bet just for signing up, with no deposit required.
- How It Works: Upon creating a new account (and sometimes verifying identity), you receive a small bonus – often $5 to $25 – to bet with. This might be credited as site credit or a free bet token. You don’t need to add any of your own money to get it.
- Scarcity and Size: Sportsbooks prefer you make a deposit, so if a no-deposit offer exists it’s usually modest. They’re more frequently seen in online casino promotions than sports betting. If you do find one, it’s likely a limited-time promo or a special for trying out a new app.
- Wagering Conditions: No-deposit offers almost always have high wagering requirements or odds restrictions before you can withdraw any winnings. For example, a $20 no-deposit free bet might require you to wager it 10x on bets at minimum odds, or any winnings might need to be bet again.
- Using No-Deposit Funds: If you get a no-deposit bonus, it’s a chance to explore the sportsbook risk-free. It’s wise to treat it as a fun trial rather than a sure profit maker, due to the heavy rollover typically attached.
Betting Site | Deposit Bonus |
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🏒Bodog🏒 | Visit website |
⚾Everygame⚾ | Visit website |
🏀Betway🏀 | Visit website |
⚽Ivibet⚽ | Visit website |
🏈Sports Interaction🏈 | Visit website |
Risk Free First Bets
Despite the name, “risk-free” doesn’t mean you can’t lose money – rather, it means your first wager is insured by the sportsbook up to a certain amount. Here’s how these work:
- How It Works: You register and place your first bet with your own money. If that first bet wins, great – you keep your winnings as normal and the bonus essentially doesn’t come into play. If your first bet loses, the sportsbook will refund you, usually in the form of site credit or free bets, equal to the amount lost (up to a stated maximum). This way, you get a “second chance” to bet again, softening the blow of an initial loss.
- Example: A sportsbook might offer a “100% up to $500 first bet insurance.” If you bet $300 on your first wager and lose, you’d get $300 in credit. If you bet $600 and lose, you’d only get $500 back (the cap). If you win the first bet, you get no refund (since you didn’t lose), and you’ve essentially exhausted the offer’s benefit on that win.
- Refund as Bonus Funds: It’s crucial to note that the refund isn’t cash you can withdraw immediately. The returned stake is typically credited as a bonus balance or as free bet tokens. You’ll need to wager those credits again to convert them to withdrawable cash. The good news is that many risk-free bet refunds have relatively low rollover (sometimes just 1x – meaning you must bet it once). The bad news is you had to lose your first bet to get them, and you only get back credit, not the actual cash loss.
- Pros & Cons: The obvious benefit is peace of mind for your first bet – you can take a swing on a risky pick knowing you have a safety net. This is great for trying a long-shot bet or just reducing nerves as a newcomer. However, the downside is if your first bet wins, you receive no bonus at all (so some might say the ideal scenario is actually losing first, then winning with the credit). Also, your “refund” might come in segments (e.g., five $100 free bets instead of one $500 credit), and any free bet you use will only return profits, not the stake itself. In short, risk-free bets are a solid offer but don’t treat them as a guarantee – you still need to make winning bets with the refunded credit to truly benefit.
Many Canadian sportsbooks, especially in Ontario’s market, rolled out risk-free bet welcome offers (sometimes branded as “First Bet Insurance” or “Bet Credit Safety Nets). These are often in the $200–$1000 range. Be sure to check how the refund is paid (single bonus vs. multiple free bets) and any minimum odds or time limits on using the credit.
Powerplay Free Bets | Up to $50 in Free Bets | |
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Powerplay | Available weekly between Monday 10:00 am ET to Friday 08:00 am ET. | Register Now |
“Bet and Get” Welcome Offers (Free Bet Bundle)
Another common welcome promotion, which doesn’t strictly fall under deposit match or pure refund, is the “Bet X, Get Y” deal. These offers provide new players with a set of bonus bets or credits once they make a qualifying wager (or deposit). They are essentially a hybrid approach to a welcome bonus:
- How It Works: The sportsbook will ask you to place a bet of a minimum amount (for example, “Bet $10 and get $50 in free bets”). Once you place that qualifying bet (often at minimum odds requirements, like -200 or longer), the bonus is triggered regardless of whether your bet wins or loses. You’ll then receive the promised bonus funds or free bet tokens. In some cases, the trigger is a deposit rather than a bet (e.g., “Deposit and bet $20, get $100 in bonuses”), but the concept is similar – you must put some money in play first.
- Typical Offers: A very popular version of this in competitive markets is something like “Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets.” This was seen in some U.S. promotions and some Canadian books have analogous offers. The idea is a small commitment yields a large bonus, drawing in newcomers with the allure of a big reward for a modest stake. The bonus often comes as multiple free bets (for example, $150 might be credited as six $25 free bet tokens).
- Bonus Usage: After you get the free bets or credits, you use them just like any other free bet: when you wager a free bet token, you keep any winnings but not the token stake. The sportsbook may set conditions like using the free bets within 7 or 14 days, and sometimes each free bet must be placed on different events or at certain odds. There is usually no further deposit required to use them (since you already bet the initial amount), but check if any winnings from these free bets need to be wagered once (some books treat free bet winnings as cash, others ask for 1x playthrough).
- Value Consideration: These “Bet & Get” offers are attractive because you’re guaranteed the bonus as long as you qualify. Unlike a risk-free bet, you even get the bonus if your first bet wins (so you can essentially come out ahead immediately: you win your bet and still get free bets). The trade-off is the bonus amount is fixed and often distributed in smaller bets, which could be harder to turn into withdrawable cash unless you win multiple wagers. Still, from a player’s perspective, bet-and-get deals can offer great initial value and let you test the waters with various bets using the free credits.
Canadian sportsbooks do use these offers, though they might be phrased differently. For instance, one sportsbook might say “Wager $20 on any sport and get two $20 free bets.” Always read the fine print: ensure you know what bets qualify (sport, odds, timeframe) and how the free bets are delivered. Overall, these promotions strike a good balance for beginners by providing guaranteed bonus bets without too hefty a commitment.
Betting Offers for Existing Customers
Sportsbooks don’t stop at luring new players – they also offer a variety of betting offers to keep existing customers engaged. These ongoing betting promotions reward repeat play, encourage loyalty, or push certain betting behaviors (like parlays or trying new features). In this section, we cover the major types of bonuses and promos available to returning players in Canada.
Reload Bonuses (Repeat Deposit Offers)
A reload bonus is essentially a smaller deposit bonus for existing players, and it gives you bonus funds when you top up your account.
- Occasional Offers: Some sportsbooks may roll their reload bonuses out around big events or as part of a seasonal promotion. Others, might offer a standing reload bonus (e.g. monthly or for every deposit) to VIPs or all customers.
- Typical Structure: Reload bonuses often match a percentage of your deposit, but usually at a lower percentage than a welcome bonus. For instance, a 20% or 25% reload match up to a certain amount is common. If you deposit $100 during the promo period, you’d get $20–$25 in bonus. The cap might be lower too (like “25% up to $100” extra).
- Rollover Still Applies: The sportsbook will require you to bet the deposit+bonus (or sometimes just the bonus) a set number of times. They are giving you extra money to keep you betting, after all.
- When to Use: Don’t feel compelled to deposit just because a reload promo is offered. Only take it if you’re comfortable with the wagering requirement and you intended to bet more. Sometimes it’s better to skip a reload bonus if the rollover is too high for your betting style, so you retain flexibility to withdraw your money without strings.
With increasing competition, some Canadian sportsbooks do send reload bonus offers via email or as app notifications to existing players. Around the Stanley Cup playoffs or the Super Bowl, you might get a “50% deposit boost” offer in your inbox. Smaller or newer bookies might also use reloads to boost retention.
22bet Friday Reload | 100% Bonus up to $150 | |
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22bet | Available every Friday with a minimum deposit of $2. | Register Now |
10bet Weekly Reload | 30% Bonus up to $1400 | |
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22bet | Use promo code POWERUP in the Bonus Code field when depositing | Register Now |
Free Bet Promotions (Ongoing Free Bets)
Sportsbooks frequently hand out free bets to active customers as part of ongoing promotions. These can take many forms and names, but the common theme is you get a chance to place a bet on the house. Some prevalent forms of free bet promos include:
- Weekly or Monthly Free Bets: A sportsbook might reward consistent play, e.g., “Bet $50 each week and get a $10 free bet.” If you meet a certain threshold (either in number of bets or amount wagered), you receive a free bet token. This encourages regular engagement. For example, a site could have a weekly NFL betting club: wager $100 on NFL that week and receive a $20 free bet for Monday Night Football.
- Event-Specific Free Bets: On big events (Super Bowl, World Series, Olympics), books often run specials like “Place a bet on the final and get a $20 free bet to use in-play.” These are one-time deals to juice interest in marquee events. Another example: “Bet on the Champions League final and get a $10 live free bet to use during the game.”
- Bet and Get (for Existing Users): Similar to the welcome bet-and-get, books also do targeted offers like “Bet $25 on NBA today, get a $10 free bet for tomorrow’s games.” These promotions reward you for betting on a specific sport or type of wager by giving you a smaller free bet as a bonus.
- Insurance Refunds as Free Bets: (This overlaps with insurance promos, covered separately below) If a sportsbook promises “Money back if your bet loses” under certain conditions, that “money back” is often delivered as a free bet. For instance, “Bet on an NHL game total – if it ends 0-0, we’ll refund your stake as a free bet.” While not a guaranteed free bet (you only get it if you lose), it functions as a promotion that can result in a free bet token returned to you.
- Using Free Bets: Any free bet you receive works like others described: you wager the token, and if it wins, you collect the profit (stake not returned). Some free bets from promos might have short expiry windows (e.g. must use within 7 days) or be restricted to certain sports. Always note these details so you don’t accidentally let a free bet expire. Also, check if winnings from the free bet are withdrawable cash or if they must be wagered once more (many books allow direct withdrawal of free bet winnings, but a few attach a small rollover).
Many Canadian sportsbooks have ongoing free bet programs. For instance, a book might send you a $10 free bet on your birthday or a $20 free bet during the Grey Cup as a thanks for being a customer. These gestures build goodwill. Take advantage of them, but remember they’re usually one-time or occasional perks. If you’re someone who bets frequently, choosing a sportsbook that consistently offers reloads or free bet rewards could add significant value over time.
Odds Boosts and Enhanced Odds
Odds boost promotions are when a sportsbook offers higher-than-normal odds on specific bets. This isn’t a bonus in the form of extra credit, but it’s a promotion that can increase your potential winnings without extra cost. Here’s what to know:
- How Odds Boosts Work: The book will highlight certain selections (a team to win, a player prop, a parlay, etc.) and boost the payout odds above the standard line. For example, an outcome normally priced at +200 might be boosted to +250. If you place a bet on that selection, you get the better odds automatically. Some boosts are daily specials across sports; others are tied to one event (“Enhanced Odds: Toronto to win by KO at 5/1 instead of 4/1, today only!”).
- Why Sportsbooks Boost Odds: It’s a marketing tactic to attract bets on particular events or outcomes. By offering a bit more value, the sportsbook hopes more people will bet on those markets (often ones they choose). It can also serve to differentiate a book (“we have the best odds on tonight’s game thanks to our boost”). For bettors, it’s an opportunity to get more potential profit on a pick you might already like – essentially a positive value tweak.
- Limitations: Odds boosts usually come with limits. Often there’s a max stake (e.g., you can only bet up to $50 at the boosted odds) to cap how much the book can lose on the generous payout. Boosts are usually on specific markets the book selects; you can’t choose any bet to boost yourself (unless it’s a personalized boost feature, which some VIP programs offer). Also, boosted bets might still be subject to normal rules (no cash out sometimes, etc.), but generally if it wins, you get the extra winnings as cash.
Types of Boosts
- Single-event boosts – e.g., “John Doe to score the first touchdown boosted from +500 to +700.”
- Parlay boosts – some books boost the payout of parlays by a certain percentage, especially for bigger parlays (like an extra +10% on a 4-leg parlay winnings).
- Daily Boosts – many sportsbooks in Canada have a daily odds boost page with a few picks across different sports. For example, one might boost a hockey, basketball, and soccer bet each day.
- Evaluating Boosts – Not all boosted odds are truly great value – sometimes the “normal” odds were a bit low to begin with. However, if you understand the sport and would bet that outcome anyway, taking it at boosted odds is a no-brainer for extra profit potential. Just avoid letting the lure of a boost push you into a bet you wouldn’t normally make.
A common one is boosting the moneyline on a Canadian team’s game to entice local fans. Books know many will bet the Raptors, Leafs, or Blue Jays, so they occasionally boost those odds to draw even more action (and possibly new sign-ups). These promotions are straightforward – enjoy them when they align with your betting interests.
Tonybet Combo Boost | Up to 100% Extra Cash on Multibets | |
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TonyBet | Build a combo with at least 3 events, each with minimum odds of 1.2. | Register Now |
Parlay Insurance and Other Bet Protections
Many sportsbooks offer insurance-style promotions that refund your stake (often as a free bet or credit) if a certain condition happens. These are popular for parlays and other high-risk bets, as they soften the blow of a near-miss. Key types of bet insurance:
- Parlay Insurance: Perhaps the most common, parlay insurance will refund you if you lose exactly one leg of a multi-leg parlay. For example, “Place a 5-leg parlay, and if exactly one leg loses, get up to $25 back.” This means if you went 4-1 on that parlay, you’ll get your stake (or part of it) back as a free bet. If more than one leg fails, you get nothing extra. This promo encourages parlays (which have a high house edge) but gives bettors a consolation prize for just falling short.
Single-Game or Prop Insurance
- Bad Beat refunds – e.g., “If an NFL game goes to overtime and you lose your spread bet, we refund you.” This covers a scenario considered unlucky.
- Specific outcome insurance – e.g., “Money-back on baseball bets if a game ends 0-0” or “If your hockey goal-scorer pick hits the post and doesn’t score, we refund your bet.” These tend to refund your stake as free credit.
- Half-back insurance – e.g., “If your bet loses by a half-point (for spread bets), get 50% of your stake back.” Not common, but shows the variety.
- Risk-Free Same-Game Parlays: A newer trend is offering one “risk-free” parlay on big games. For instance, “Place a same-game parlay on the Super Bowl and if it loses, you get up to $20 back.” This is essentially insurance limited to a specific bet type.
- How Refunds Are Paid: Almost always, the refund comes as a free bet or site credit, not straight cash. It’s a token to try again. Sometimes it’s the full stake, sometimes a percentage (like 50% back). Check the promo details – there’s usually a cap (e.g., max $25 or $50 refund).
- Value to Players: They don’t guarantee profit, but they do reduce net loss in the specified scenario. For example, if you often build parlays, having insurance means a lot of near-wins will at least give you another shot. However, you shouldn’t dramatically change your betting style just to use an insurance promo. Don’t start throwing huge parlays just because of a refund offer – remember that the sportsbook wouldn’t offer it if parlays weren’t usually in their favor.
If you’re betting parlays on Hockey Night in Canada, check if the book has a Saturday parlay special. These promos add a bit of cushion to your bets and are generally positive EV (expected value) for the player in those specific cases – though the catch is they might encourage riskier bets in the first place.
Bodog Bonus Bets | 100$ Back in Bonus Bets | |
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Bodog | Requires a minimum of 5 selections from NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, or MMA events. | Register Now |
Everygame Free Bets | Win One of Twenty $50 Free Bets Weekly | |
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Everygame | Each parlay bet consisting of at least four (4) selections, at minimum total odds of 4.0/+300 and exactly one incorrect tip counts as one (1) ticket for the draw. | Register Now |
Powerplay Parlay Boost | Boost Payouts up to 50% on Winning Parlays | |
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Powerplay | Eligible parlays must include 3+ selections, each at minimum odds of 1.33/-300. | Register Now |
Loyalty Programs and VIP Rewards
These work similarly to airline miles or casino comps – the more you bet, the more points or perks you earn. Here’s what to expect:
- Points for Betting: A typical loyalty scheme gives you points for every wager (e.g., 1 point per $10 bet, sometimes varying by sport or odds). Accumulated points can then be redeemed for rewards. Commonly, you can redeem points for free bet credits (for example, 1000 points = $10 free bet), or sometimes for merchandise, contest entries, etc.
- Tiered VIP Levels: Some sportsbooks have tier systems (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.). As you bet more and climb tiers, you may get higher redemption rates, exclusive bonus offers, personal account managers, or faster withdrawals. High rollers who reach top tiers could get invites to special events or extra hospitality perks, though that’s rarer in sports betting than in casinos.
- Cashback and Rebates: A form of loyalty reward is cashback on losses, often reserved for VIPs. A VIP program might give back 5% of your net losses each month as a bonus. In the Canadian market, some sportsbooks might give periodic small rebates or offer loss back deals to loyal players (though not widely advertised, sometimes customer service can set this up for big customers).
- Are Loyalty Programs Valuable: For casual bettors, loyalty points might accumulate slowly – it could take a lot of $5 or $10 bets to redeem anything substantial. However, they’re a nice passive benefit: if you’re betting anyway, you might eventually get a free bet out of it. For high stake bettors, a good VIP program can add significant value.
Not all Canadian sportsbooks have robust loyalty programs. But a few do, especially brands that have casino integration (they might have one loyalty program covering casino and sportsbook). For example, a sportsbook partnered with a casino might let you earn points that can be used in both places. If you plan to be loyal to one book, it’s worth checking if they have a rewards program and how it works. Compare point values and benefits – one site’s program might be far more rewarding for the same betting volume than another’s.
22bet Rebate Bonus | Weekly Cash Rebate of 0.3% | |
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22bet | Minimum rebate amount is 1.5 CAD. Maximum rebate capped at 1,500 CAD. | Register Now |
Tonybet VIP Program | Earn 1 Comp Point (CP) for Every $7 Wagered | |
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TonyBet | Points can be converted into free bets at a rate of $1.50 for every 100 CPs. | Register Now |
Refer a Friend Bonuses
A refer-a-friend bonus gives rewards to you (and sometimes your friend) when a new player signs up through your referral and meets the requirements:
- How Referral Bonuses Work: Typically, the sportsbook provides a unique referral link or code you can share. If a friend uses it to register and then makes a qualifying deposit or bet, you get a bonus. Commonly, the bonus for the referrer is a free bet or site credit (e.g., $50 free bet for each friend who joins and deposits). Some programs also give the friend a bonus (like an extra $25 on their first deposit for using a referral).
- Conditions: The friend usually needs to fulfill some action for the bonus to trigger. For example, “Friend must deposit at least $20 and place a bet of $20 or more at minimum odds.” This ensures the referred person is a real active customer, not just someone making an account for a quick freebie. There’s often a limit on how many friends you can refer (or how many referral bonuses you can collect per month).
- Payout Form: The referral bonus to you might be credited as a free bet, site credit, or occasionally cash. It often resembles other bonuses in terms – e.g., the $50 free bet you get might need to be used within a certain time and will only return winnings (not the $50 stake) if you win.
- Value and Considerations: If you have friends interested in betting, this is a win-win: they get to join a sportsbook (hopefully one you genuinely recommend) and you get a little something extra. It’s a nice way to capitalize on word-of-mouth. However, avoid spamming or pushing referrals just for the bonus, and never create “fake” friends/accounts, as that violates terms and could forfeit your funds. Sportsbooks will verify identity – you can’t just refer yourself or someone ineligible and double-dip (they do ID checks to prevent abuse).
Referral programs are present for some Canadian books. Not all advertise it prominently, but check your account section – sometimes there’s a referral link waiting for you. For example, a sportsbook might email its users a referral invite with details of the current referral bonus (“Invite a friend, you get $50, they get $50 once they bet $20”). As the market grows, referral incentives can pop up as a way for books to leverage their customer base for growth.
Bodog | 200% of Your Friends First Deposit up to $200 | |
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Bodog | The following rollover terms apply to all referral bonus funds: 5X Sports, 5X Horses, 25X Casino. | Register Now |
Powerplay | 50% of the Referred Friend’s First Deposit up to $500 | |
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Powerplay | Odds must be 1.5/-200 or higher. Stakes must not exceed $250 on any bet. | Register Now |
- Bodog – 200% of your friend’s first deposit up to $200 – the following rollover terms apply to all referral bonus funds: 5X Sports, 5X Horses, 25X Casino
- Powerplay – 50% of the referred friend’s first deposit up to $500 – Odds must be 1.5/-200 or higher. Stakes must not exceed $250 on any bet.
How to Evaluate Betting Promotions
In this section, we highlight the crucial factors you should consider when choosing betting promotions. Understanding these aspects will help you separate a genuinely good sportsbook promo from one that might not be worth it.
Wagering Requirements (Rollovers)
The wagering requirement is the number of times you need to wager the bonus (sometimes bonus + deposit) before you can withdraw funds.
- Understanding Rollover – As discussed earlier, a bonus might require 5x, 10x, or even higher playthrough. For example, a 5x rollover on a $100 bonus means you must place $500 in bets to clear it. Some books count only the bonus amount for rollover, others count the sum of deposit and bonus. Always clarify which it is. If it’s deposit+bonus, the requirement effectively doubles (e.g., a 5x on deposit+bonus = 10x on the bonus itself in terms of amount bet).
- Time Limits – Many Canadian sportsbooks give a window like 30 days to use and wager the bonus funds. Others might give 14 days or 60 days depending on the promo. If you fail to complete the wagering in time, the remaining bonus and any winnings from it might be forfeited.
- Effect on Strategy – A high rollover can drastically reduce the value of a bonus. If you’re a casual bettor, you won’t want a 15x rollover on a $500 bonus (which means $7,500 in bets) – you might never bet that much in the timeframe, and could end up taking risky bets just to chase the rollover (not advisable). Conversely, a low rollover (say 1x to 3x) makes a bonus much more player-friendly. Expert insight: calculate the total amount you’ll need to wager and consider if it fits your normal betting volume. If not, you might treat the bonus as “play money” and be prepared that you might not fully convert it to cash.
- Withdrawal Holds – Some books won’t let you withdraw any funds (even your deposit) until the rollover is complete, or they might let you withdraw but then you forfeit the bonus if you do. If you think you might want to cash out early, perhaps skip accepting a bonus that locks your money in.
- Transparency – Reputable sportsbooks clearly outline the rollover in the bonus terms. In our experience reviewing betting offers, the rollover is the “catch” that most affects whether a promotion is worth it. Always remember that the house expects to get that bonus back through your betting activity.
Minimum Odds and Eligible Bets
Bonuses often come with restrictions on what kind of bets count towards the rollover or can be placed with bonus funds.
- Minimum Odds – A common condition is that qualifying bets must be at certain odds or longer (e.g., -200 or greater, which is equivalent to 1.50 in decimal, or sometimes +100 and above). This prevents someone from betting heavy favorites just to easily churn the rollover. For instance, a term might read “only bets at odds of -200 or higher count toward wagering requirements”. If you place a bet at -300, it might not count at all toward clearing the bonus.
- Bet Types – Some books exclude certain bet types from bonus play. For example, very short-term bets like one-period markets, or exotic bets might not count. One notable exclusion can be futures bets – because they take too long to settle (many bonuses require all bets for rollover to settle before the deadline, so a futures bet months away wouldn’t count). Also, things like each-way bets or system bets might be disqualified in terms
- Market Restrictions – Occasionally, promotions will limit the bonus to certain sports or markets. A site might give a free bet that can only be used on, say, the NHL or only on parlays. Check if your bonus is restricted. Most general welcome bonuses let you bet on any sport, but a targeted promo (like a free bet given for the World Cup) might only be usable on soccer matches.
- Avoiding ‘Guaranteed’ Loopholes – Bonus terms usually forbid trying to hedge or guarantee profit. For example, you can’t place bets on both sides of a match with bonus funds to ensure you clear it without risk – if the sportsbook detects that (especially with multiple accounts in collusion), they’ll void the bonus. This is more for advanced bonus hunters, but worth noting: always abide by the spirit of the offer.
Tip: If you’re someone who mostly bets parlays or long odds, you’ll likely satisfy any minimum odds rule easily. But if you only bet heavy favorites, a bonus might force you to change your style to meet a -200 cutoff. Ensure you’re comfortable with that adjustment.
Time Limits and Expiry
- Claim Period – Some offers must be claimed or activated within a certain time of opening your account or receiving the promo invite. For instance, “Sign-up bonus must be claimed within 7 days of registration.” Don’t let it lapse if you intend to use it.
- Wagering Deadline – 30 days is a common window for welcome bonuses. Shorter promos (like event-based free bets or insurance) might only be valid for the day or week of the event.
- Free Bet Expiry – Many free bets expire 7 days after issuance and some 14 days. Use them before they vanish – it’s disappointing to forget and log in to find your $50 free bet expired unused.
- Scheduling Bets – A bonus might require multiple steps (like placing qualifying bets weekly). For example, a “bet weekly to get free bets” deal means if you miss a week, you miss that week’s reward. Treat bonus-related betting as part of your schedule if you’re maximizing an offer.
- Extension or Forfeit – Any uncleared bonus or unused free bet is typically forfeited from your account. There’s virtually no extension unless something extraordinary happened (and even then, customer support might not bend the rules).
Other Terms to Watch For
Beyond the big three (rollover, odds, time), a few additional conditions and considerations can affect your bonus experience.
- Payment Method Restrictions – Some sportsbooks specify that certain deposit methods are not eligible for bonuses (common with e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller). Always check “eligible deposit methods” in the terms.
- One Bonus at a Time – If you’re in the middle of clearing a sportsbook bonus, you usually can’t claim another bonus concurrently (except trivial ones like odds boosts). Similarly, most sites only allow one welcome bonus per household or IP address to prevent abuse.
- Location and Eligibility – An offer might be “Ontario players only” due to regulatory reasons. Make sure the promo is valid in your location. If you’re traveling, note that crossing provincial or country lines could affect your ability to use the bonus.
- Max Winnings from Bonus – This is more common in no-deposit bonuses (e.g., “max winnings withdrawable $100 from the free $20 bonus”). It’s less common for deposit match or larger bonuses to have win caps, but check just in case.
- Gambling Responsibly – This is more of a player consideration – don’t let bonuses dictate your bankroll management. It’s easy to overextend chasing a rollover or to make bets you aren’t comfortable with because “it’s bonus money.” Set limits for yourself. View a bonus as a nice extra, not a reason to gamble online more than you normally would.
- Read the Full Terms – We can’t emphasize this enough – always read the terms and conditions of any bonus. The highlights we’ve covered are the usual suspects, but each offer can have unique rules. The few minutes spent reading will ensure you fully understand what you’re getting into, avoiding any unwelcome surprises when you try to withdraw or claim a reward.
The Landscape of Sportsbooks in Canada
Canada’s sports betting market is unique, combining provincial-run platforms and, in some regions, competitive private sportsbooks:
- Regulatory Context: Single-event sports betting became legal in Canada in 2021, and Ontario launched a regulated iGaming market in 2022. In Ontario, dozens of private sportsbooks now compete, offering a variety of bonuses to stand out.
- Advertising Restrictions: Unlike in the U.S., Ontario regulators prohibit public advertising of signup bonuses or “inducements.” This means you won’t see billboard or TV ads shouting about a “$500 free bet.” However, once you visit a sportsbook’s website or betting app, the betting bonus offers are there for eligible players.
- Competitive Offers: The types of sportsbook promos are essentially similar to those in other markets, but always make sure the bonus is usable in your province.
- Legal and Safe Play: Only players who are of legal betting age (18 or 19 depending on province) and located in a region where the sportsbook is licensed can claim these bonuses. Always choose reputable, legal sportsbooks for bonuses to ensure fair terms.
Final Thoughts on Betting Bonus Offers in Canada
Sportsbooks use bonuses to attract and retain players, but they don’t give away money without expecting betting activity in return. By understanding the conditions attached, you can choose promotions that truly benefit you and avoid those that don’t fit your style. The best strategy is to pick the bonuses that align with your betting habits and to always bet responsibly. Good luck!