Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Betting

Our team uses unique criteria to evaluate and rank bookmakers with the best experiences in N.L. Here are some of the factors we consider:

• Security and Trust: We only rank secure sportsbooks with a valid betting license, sophisticated encryptions, strict privacy, and a clean track record.
• Sports Coverage: We recommend bookmakers with comprehensive sports coverage, so you can find all popular sports, leagues, and markets.
• Deposits & Payouts: Leading bookmakers offer instant deposits and fast payouts through credit cards, eWallets, prepaid cards, wire transfers, crypto, and more.
• Bonuses and Promotions: We review each promotion to identify lucrative bonuses worthwhile for new and existing punters.
• Customer Support: Top sportsbooks offer 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, phone, and extensive online resources.
• Betting Features: We recommend sites with intuitive betting features like live streaming, live betting, early cash out, bet builders, bet boosts, etc.
• Mobile Betting: The best bookmakers have sleek apps and websites fully optimized for mobile devices.

Newfoundland and Labrador players have plenty of betting sites to choose from, including top-rated offshore brands and the government-regulated Pro-Line.

Online sports betting in the province became available when the Atlantic Lottery Commission introduced PlaySphere in 2004. The site offered lotteries and parlays on sports events.

PlaySphere would later become alc.ca and still features its original gambling products. ALC also launched Pro-Line in 2014, offering punters a local, government-regulated platform where they could place bets on various sports and markets.

Parlays were the only option until 2021 when regulators amended the Criminal Code of Canada to legalize single-game betting. However, punters have always had access to offshore Newfoundland betting sites. Here’s a recap of the key events that have shaped the current N.L. sports betting scene:

• 2004:  ALC introduces online lotteries and parlays on sports bets.
• 2014: ACL launches Pro-Line government-regulated betting platform.
• 2021: Single-game sports betting becomes legal throughout Atlantic Provinces.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes. Sports betting is legal throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Like most Canadian provinces, N.L. doesn’t have a legal framework for licensing sportsbooks, so you won’t find the likes of BetMGM or BetRivers.

However, punters can join offshore betting sites like Betway, Sports Interaction, Bet365, etc. These sportsbooks are licensed in Malta, the UK, Ontario and other jurisdictions, making them legitimate destinations for real money betting.

Punters interested in Newfoundland sports betting can also explore the locally-regulated Pro-Line, although the platform has various restrictions. Offshore brands offer a more complete betting experience.

What Sports Betting Options Are Legal?

N.L. betting is regulated by the Atlantic Lottery Commission (ACL), which oversees gambling in the Atlantic Provinces. The gambling laws permit players of legal age to make single-game bets and parlays on all professional sports.

As such, Newfoundland and Labrador punters can bet on football, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, soccer, baseball, eSports, and more.

The sportsbooks feature comprehensive betting options, so you’ll find all popular leagues and tournaments in North America, Europe, Australia, and the rest of the world. N.L. also permits single-game betting and parlay betting. Single-game betting became legal in 2021 after the Criminal Code was amended to lift the previous ban on such wagers.

Why Legalize Single-Game Sports Betting?

Betting in Newfoundland and Labrador now includes single-game wagers, which is one of the most sought-after bets by seasoned punters. Until August 2021, players throughout Canada, including in N.L., could only place parlay bets.

Parlays involve making multiple selections on a bet slip to build a multi-bet. Single-game events involve betting on one outcome only. Because punters could not make this bet before, Canada lost billions in gambling revenue.

Punters made those bets in offshore sportsbooks, but that has changed. Locally-regulated sportsbooks can now catch up with other jurisdictions by capturing gambling revenue from single-game bets.

Which Are Steps Taken To Legalize Single-Game Betting?

Single-game bets were introduced in August 2021, but the process began in 2012. Before the legalization, punters throughout Canada could only place parlay bets, which involves having multiple outcomes on a single bet slip.

Gambling officially became regulated in 1892 when Canada introduced the Criminal Code. The code banned all gambling activity apart from horse racing and small event/carnival games. In 1969, the Canadian Criminal Code was amended to accommodate lotteries.

This created Bill-150, which was later amended in 1985 to introduce slot machines, video devices and computers. Canadians could also place parlay bets on sports events. The internet wave in the early 1990s meant Canadians could explore offshore betting brands. 

Regulators introduced the Pro-Line product, but only parlays were available. This led to billions of losses in gambling revenue that went to bookmakers overseas.

In 2012, regulators introduced Bill C-290 to push for the legalization of same-game betting. The bill passed the House of Commons but was shut down by Senate in 2015.

A second push suffered the same fate in 2016, and it wasn’t until 2020 that Bill C-218 was formed. The new bill passed the House of Commons and Senate.

In 2021, single-game betting became officially legal throughout Canada, but it was left to individual provinces to decide. Here’s the timeline of all the steps that led to single-event betting in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• February 2020: Conservative MP Kevin Waugh introduces Bill C-218. Senator David Wells also sponsors the bill.
• April 2021: Bill C-218 passes the House of Commons.
• June 2021: Senate passes Bill C-218 in the third reading. The bill received royal assent from the Chief Justice later that month.
• August 2021: August 27 becomes the official date when single-event bets become legal. ALC announces legal single-game bets on the same day.

What Does Single-Game Betting Include?

Single-game betting involves betting on one outcome, such as the outright winner or an NBA match, or the team to cover the spread.

In parlays, you can bet on one team to win the game and choose another contest where you bet on the spread. Parlays can have multiple selections on the same slip, but single-event bets only feature one outcome.

What’s In The Future For N.L. Sports Betting?

Sports betting in Newfoundland and Labrador remains legal, but no foreign brands are licensed in the province. Only Ontario has a framework for licensing bookmakers, and we expect N.L. and other regions to follow suit.

As such, the future of N.L. sports betting is bright and top betting brands will be ready to enter the market when the province starts licensing them. However, there are no current pushes toward this eventuality.

Who Can Bet on Sports in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Newfoundland sports betting platforms welcome all punters of legal age. Eligible players can register an account, deposit, claim bonuses, and bet on their favourite sports and markets.

Here are some of the restrictions that govern who can bet on real money sports in the province:

• Age Limits: Newfoundland and Labrador restrict all forms of sports betting to punters above 19. Anyone under 19 will be blocked from signing up or betting on legitimate N.L. betting sites. The restriction aims to prevent minors and verify the identification of customers who bet on sports.
• Location Restrictions: If you choose offshore betting brands like Betway and Sports Interaction, you can bet from anywhere in Canada. The Pro-Line website has location restrictions, so only punters physically present in N.L. can join and bet on the platform.
• Tax Laws: Winnings from sports betting, lotteries and other forms of legal gambling in Newfoundland and Labrador are not considered taxable income. As such, punters can keep 100% of their bankroll when they make correct predictions. The law is the same throughout Canada.
• Self-Exclusion: Newfoundland and Labrador offer various self-exclusion frameworks and help for gamblers. You can take cool-off periods, set deposit and loss limits, or even delete your betting account. Punters can also self-exclude to take a break from gambling for at least six months.
• Mobile Betting: Punters in Newfoundland and Labrador can bet using their mobile devices without any issues. Mobile betting is legal in the province and one of the popular ways punters access gambling products. All bookmakers have mobile-responsive websites, and some feature sleek betting apps for Android and iOS devices.
• Retail Betting: Newfoundland and Labrador offer no retail betting locations, so you cannot enjoy in-person sports betting anywhere in the province. Punters who seek such options must travel outside N.L. to find other Atlantic Provinces with ALC retail betting locations.

Offshore Sportsbooks in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Offshore sportsbooks are legal in Newfoundland, so punters can explore brands like Sports Interaction, Bet365, Bodog, Betway, Bwin, 888sport, etc.

These bookmakers are licensed in Ontario, Malta, Kahnawake, the UK, and other jurisdictions and are free to welcome Canadian punters.

However, brands like BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers are unavailable in N.L. They only offer betting products in Ontario, so players but be physically present in Ontario to access them.

Betting in N.L. isn’t any different from other Canadian provinces. All you need to do is sign up for an account with a reputable bookmaker, deposit funds, claim a bonus (optional), and explore the betting markets.

Newfoundland betting sites offer a seamless and convenient process with quick sign-up, standard banking options, and comprehensive sports coverage. Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you start betting in Newfoundland and Labrador:

1. Choose A Sportsbook - You first need to select a trustworthy sports betting site that accepts players in Newfoundland and Labrador. Refer to how we rank bookmakers above to help you identify legitimate betting sites in Canada. Choose secure, licensed websites with intuitive designs, top bonuses, reliable customer support, and fast payouts.
2. Sign-Up For An Account - Once you choose a sportsbook, click the Sign-Up button. The button has varying names, including Create Account, Join, Register, etc. Click the button to open the registration form, then input your details to create an account. Make sure you verify the account by clicking the link sent to you by the bookmaker.
3. Fund Your Account - You can deposit funds now that you have a betting account with a legitimate betting site. Navigate to the banking section, select deposit, and choose a payment method. You can use Visa, Mastercard, Interac, Neosurf, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, etc. The minimum deposit is $10 across most bookmakers, but the limit varies, so check the banking information.
4. Claim A Bonus - If you want to claim the welcome bonus, check the promotions section before depositing. Some bookmakers require players to opt in when signing up or depositing. Check the minimum deposit the bookmaker needs for your welcome bonus. You may also require a bonus code. The terms and conditions describe everything you need to know about claiming your deal.
5. Explore Sports Markets - Once you have an account and betting funds, you can explore the sports, markets, and odds. Simply launch the sports section if the bookmaker also has a casino and live dealer vertical. Next, choose a sport like football or basketball, then a league/tournament like NFL or NBA. You can then select an event like Raptors vs. Nets to see the markets.
6. Bet, Win, Withdraw - The last step involves selecting your markets, setting the stake and submitting your bet slip. Newfoundland sports betting sites offer thousands of markets every week across multiple sports. You can bet on football, basketball, soccer, golf, baseball, hockey, boxing, eSports, and more. You can withdraw winnings after the bets are settled.
7. Using Betting Apps - You can follow all steps above directly on your mobile phone’s browser or app. To use the app, you must sign up with bookmakers that have sports betting apps for your device. Leading sportsbooks have Android and iOS apps that you can install and use to access sports betting markets and odds instantly.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Newfoundland and Labrador

The best Newfoundland and Labrador sportsbooks offer extensive coverage, so you can find all popular sports. Football, ice hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis are among the most popular sports in the province.

You can also bet on golf, handball, rugby, darts, eSports, UFC, Formula 1, etc. Here’s an overview of the popular sports to bet on in N.L:

Football: As one of the most popular North American sports, football betting is prevalent across all N.L. bookmakers. You can explore CFL and NFL betting opportunities, including regular season events, post-season playoffs, Super Bowl, and more. There are hundreds of markets to bet on every week.

Hockey: Ice hockey is a phenomenon in Canada, with millions of fans. Newfoundland and Labrador punters can explore NHL betting markets every week during the regular seasons as well as futures like the playoffs and Stanley Cup. Bookmakers also offer markets on hockey events outside North America.

Basketball: Canadians love basketball and are proud of their very own Toronto Raptors team, which won the NBA Championship in 2019. Punters in N.L. can enjoy NBA betting and other professional basketball leagues across Europe, Australia, and worldwide. Bookmakers offer markets on all events throughout the calendar year.

Baseball: The MLB and baseball are popular in Canada. Punters using Newfoundland and Labrador betting sites can explore weekly MLB betting markets during the regular season. They also have access to post-season playoffs that culminate in the World Series. Offshore bookmakers also feature professional baseball events from across the world.

Soccer: North American soccer is slowly becoming a fan favourite. N.L. punters can explore thousands of MLS betting markets every week, including dozens of props per event. Bookmakers also host soccer events in Europe and the rest of the world, including global events like the World Cup and the Olympics.

More Sports: Newfoundland betting sites offer many other sports, including tennis, volleyball, golf, cricket, boxing, UFC, Formula 1, Motorsports, horse racing, greyhound racing, darts, snooker, etc. Any popular professional sports discipline you think of is available. Whether you prefer winter sports, beach volleyball, skiing, or surfing, the bookmakers have you covered.

Most Popular Markets

Sports betting in Newfoundland and Labrador offers the same markets you’ll find in other provinces. You can bet on the moneyline to back the outright winner of a match or find unique player props and match props. Here are some of the popular markets, including baseball betting examples to help you understand them:

Moneyline Bet

The moneyline is one of the three traditional bets. It involves backing the team or player who will win a match. For example, you can bet on Toronto Blue Jays to win their MLB match against the Seattle Mariners. Here’s an example of how bookmakers present the market and odds:

• Toronto Blue Jays: -137
• Seattle Mariners: +114

In this example, the Blue Jays are the favourites to win, as denoted by the minus (-) sign, while Seattle Mariners are the underdogs, indicated by the positive (+) symbol. If you bet on the Blue Jays and they win, you’ll receive a $100 profit for a $137 bet. On the other hand, you’ll receive a $114 profit from a $100 bet if you bet on the Mariners and they win.

The Spread

Also known as the point spread, puck line (in hockey), run line (in baseball), or handicap (in soccer), the spread involves betting on the points variation. You can back the Blue Jays to score at least 1.5 goals more than Mariners or bet on the Mariners against the spread (ATS), which means they must not lose the game by more than 1.5 goals. Here's how bookmakers present the odds:

• Toronto Blue Jays: -1.5 (+125)
• Seattle Mariners: +1.5 (-150)

In our example above, the Blue Jays must score at least 2 goals more than Mariners, like in a 3-1 score, to cover the spread. You’ll win $125 from a $100 bet if they do. Meanwhile, you can back Mariners against the spread to win $100 from a $150 wager. They’ll have to win, draw, or lose by not more than 1 goal.

Total Bet

Also known as the over/under bet, this market involves betting on the combined/aggregate score. Bookmakers set a threshold, and punters bet whether the match will end in points over or under the threshold. Here’s an example:

• Over 7.5: -105
• Under 7.5: -115

In this example, you can back the match to end in more than 7.5 points, like in a 9-8 or 8-10 score. In that case, you’ll win $100 from a $105 bet. You can also bet on the match to end in under 7.5 goals, like in a 3-2, 4-3 or 1-0 score. In that case, you’ll win $100 for a $115 bet.

Props and Futures

A prop bet involves betting on a minor in-game outcome, like how many corners, yellow cards, or red cards an MLS match will have or if there’ll be a penalty kick in the first half. Futures are any bets on future outcomes, so most pre-match markets can be considered futures.

However, the term is mainly used to refer to season finals, such as who will win the World Cup, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, NBA Championship, or MVP player of the season. They take on the standard odds format.

Other Bets

Newfoundland betting sites offer other bets besides conventional sports. Punters can explore eSports, politics, poker series, and more. Here are some of the non-conventional bets you can make on N.L. betting sites:

• eSports: Bookmakers offer betting markets on popular eSports like Dota2, League of Legends, Counter Strike Global Offensive, FIFA, and more. These video game battles feature teams battling for ultimate glory and huge prizes, so punters can find traditional markets, props, and futures.
• Politics: Most N.L. sports betting sites offer opportunities to bet on political outcomes. This includes decisions like who will become the next president, whether a bill will pass the Senate, and how many votes a candidate will get.
• Poker Series: The Poker Series offers huge prize pools and professional poker players battling to walk away with fortunes. Punters can bet on who makes it to the next round and futures like who will win the event.
• Virtual Sports: This involves betting on RNG-based sports simulations. You can find virtual soccer, football, basketball, hockey, wrestling, and more. Some bookmakers also offer daily fantasy sports, penalty shootouts, and more.

Newfoundland and Labrador have enthusiastic fans who follow various sports, including hockey, soccer, rugby, football, basketball and baseball.

However, no teams are part of the major North American professional franchises. Hockey is the most popular sport, as fans love the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Newfoundland Growlers also provide a presence for homegrown hockey teams. Here are the other popular teams among sports fans in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts: N.L. fans are known to support CFL teams, and these two are the most loved in the region.
• Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics: Fans of the NBA have no choice but to support Canada’s only NBA outfit, the Raptors. The Celtics are also loved in N.L.
• Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox: N.L. fans love baseball and support the Blue Jays and Red Sox. These teams are popular throughout the Atlantic provinces.
• Other Teams:Newfoundland and Labrador fans are known to support soccer in their King George V Park Stadium, which accommodates 10,000 seats. The stadium is North America's oldest surviving soccer pitch. Fans also enjoy rugby union and support their very own Atlantic Rock and Swilers RFC, which participate in the Canadian Rugby Championship. 

Like most legitimate Canadian betting sites, N.L. bookmakers offer other gambling verticals. Punters can explore casino games like slots, blackjacks, roulettes, and baccarat, as well as poker, scratchcards, bingo, and scratchcards. Other options include lotteries and live dealer shows. Let’s explore some of them below:

Casino: Fans of casino can explore thousands of real-money casino games from the best software providers in the industry. Slots remain the most popular offer you’ll find in all casinos in Newfoundland. You can also explore table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, dice, craps, keno, etc. N.L. casinos also offer jackpots, arcade games, and more.

Poker: Poker is another top betting vertical with some gambling sites exclusively dedicated to video poker games. Most N.L. betting sites offer poker betting opportunities, so you can find popular titles like Joker Poker, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Deuces Wild, Texas Hold’em, and more. You can also find live poker betting rooms.

Live Dealer: Live shows have become inseparable from the modern gambling experience thanks to advancements in gaming technologies. Punters in N.L. betting sites can explore immersive live shows with 360-degree camera angles and friendly croupiers. Popular live dealer options include table games and shows like Dreamcatcher, Monopoly, Crazy Time, Dragon Tiger, Sic Bo, Mega Ball, etc.

Other Betting Options: Newfoundland and Labrador sportsbooks offer many other betting options, including classic 75 and 90-ball bingo games, lotteries, and scratchcards. You can also explore crash games and crypto titles. Some operators have as many as 10,000 unique video game titles besides sports betting.

Like most provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador offers various responsible gaming frameworks to protect players from harm. Through ALC resources, punters can explore self-exclusion, gambling support, and helpful resources. Here’s an overview of how to play responsibly in N.L:

• Set Betting Limits: You can set deposit, loss, and withdrawal limits to prevent you from spending more than you intend on gambling. These measures also help you prevent unauthorized access.
• Consider Self-Exclusion: N.L. offers players a chance to voluntarily self-exclude from betting on the Play-Now platform. You can also find self-exclusion measures on offshore betting websites.
• Get Gambling Support: If you’re facing a problem or need to speak to experts, you can get help through private organizations and support groups. They offer resources to help punters navigate the gambling world safely.

Sportsbook to Avoid

Responsible gambling involves betting on trustworthy sites and learning how to identify destinations you should avoid. Here are some characteristics of sportsbooks to avoid in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• No Verifiable License: Avoid any bookmaker that cannot verify their license.
• Breach History: If the site has been breached before, find alternatives with a clean record.
• Spammy Promos: Avoid any website with spammy pop-ups and promotions unrelated to betting.
• Delays & Glitches: Stay away from websites that crush or take too long to load and refresh pages.
• Customer Complaints: If more people complain about the site, consider it a red flag.

Our Newfoundland sports betting review covers how to bet within Newfoundland and Labrador. However, sports betting is legal throughout Canada.

All provinces have a locally owned and regulated betting platform that offers sports and casino bets. Canadian provinces also allow punters to join offshore sportsbooks, so you can bet wherever you want. Ontario is the only province that has a framework to license operators.

Through the AGCO, bookmakers like Betway, BetMGM, Sports Interaction, Bwin, Bet365, 888sport, etc. have acquired iGO licenses that allow them to actively promote their products in the province. Below is our provincial betting guide to help you learn more about sports betting in Canadian jurisdictions. 

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Northwest Territories
• Prince Edward Island
• Nunavut
• Yukon
• Nova Scotia

Our review team only recommends licensed sports betting sites. However, you’ll encounter many options online, including unlicensed sites. A licensed bookmaker is any sports betting operator with a legitimate license from a recognized regulator.

Popular regulators in Canada include Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and Kahnawake Gambling Commission (KGC). Other reputable regulators include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GGC), and Curacao Gambling Commission (CGC). 

Regulators also exist worldwide, including in the US, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. They regulate gambling operations within their boundaries and license different bookmakers. As such, a sportsbook might be licensed in Ontario but not Alberta, which is the case for most betting brands operating in Canada.

Ontario is the only jurisdiction that licenses third-party operators, and all other provinces don’t have such frameworks. Below are some distinctions between licensed and unlicensed Newfoundland betting sites:

About Pro-Line

Pro-Line is the locally regulated sports betting platform for punters in Newfoundland and Labrador. The sportsbook is regulated by ALC and provides access to popular sports and leagues like the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, NBA, ATP, UFC, and more.

You can also bet on eSports, horseracing and other professional North American sports. Pro-Line is only available to punters in N.L., and other Atlantic Provinces. Like most government sportsbooks, it features limited coverage and various restrictions.