Best Betting Sites for Basketball in January, 2026
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In This Article
- Best Betting Sites for Basketball in January, 2026
- How to Choose the Best Betting Sites for Basketball
- Canadian NBA Betting Regulations by Province
- Popular NBA Betting Lines
- NBA Futures Betting
- NBA Live Betting
- Canadian Banking Options at the Top NBA Sportsbooks
- 5 NBA Betting Tips to Remember
- Best Times to Bet on the NBA
- How to Place a Bet on an NBA Game in Canada
- Responsible Gambling
How to Choose the Best Betting Sites for Basketball
While we’ve highlighted the ten best sportsbooks and examined the top three in detail, we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t showcase our rigorous reviewing process. In doing so, we hope you pick up on the factors that separate a good NBA betting site from a great one:
- Safety & Security: Everything a site has to offer comes secondary to your protection. The first thing we check for is a license, and whether that license is a reputable one. After that, we reviewed the site’s privacy policies and security measures to ensure your data and transactions are fully protected.
- NBA Betting Markets: If a website doesn’t cover the teams or markets you’re interested in, why bother? We focus on sportsbooks that offer the essentials, like moneyline and point spread bets, along with props, in-play wagering, and futures.
- NBA Live Betting & Streaming: As great as pre-match betting is, a modern online sportsbook needs to cater to fans who want to watch (or at least follow along on a graphical display) and wager on games in-play. As a result, our team ranks the top NBA live betting sites higher.
- NBA Odds: Competitive odds are essential for any serious bettor. We look for platforms that consistently offer fair and transparent pricing for NBA betting in Canada so local players get the best value.
- Welcome Bonuses: This initial promotion is often the most sizable, but we make sure not to let the big numbers fool us. What matters more than the potential winnings are factors like rollover requirements, eligible sports, and expiration dates.
- NBA Promotions: Beyond the welcome offer, we search for ongoing promotions that specifically target the NBA. We look for free bets, cashback, boosted odds, and more for extra value throughout the season.
- NBA-Themed Competitions: When betting on basketball, you might not be out on the court, but you can still compete like you are. Along with the promotions we just mentioned, we also look for leaderboard showdowns that you can take part in by betting on NBA games.
- Banking: The payment methods offered by a sportsbook are often overlooked, but it is just as important as everything else we’ve covered. Having familiar ways to deposit and withdraw money from your account improves the overall experience. We look for platforms that cater to all sorts of fiat and crypto players.
Using the factors above, our team of experts can discern which of the thousands upon thousands of sportsbooks are worth it. And, by taking all of these into consideration yourself, you’ll be able to choose the perfect NBA betting app for your needs.
Canadian NBA Betting Regulations by Province
Just as the U.S. has its States, Canada has its provinces, each with regulations that apply in one area of the country but differ completely in another. It can be hard to keep track of what’s what, even when guided by the official Criminal Code, which is why a lot of locals are turning to international betting sites. Through them, there’s no need to worry about what sports are restricted or what lines are on offer.
However, it’s still important to understand the current state of NBA betting in Canada. To help give you a fuller picture of that, we’ve whipped up a quick table that’ll take you through the need-to-know details, province by province:
| Province/Territory | Online Sportsbooks | Retail Sportsbooks | Regulatory Body | Legal Age | Restrictions/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | PlayAlberta.ca | Sport Select | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) | 18 | NBA props are available, and live betting is supported. |
| British Columbia | PlayNow.com | Sport Select | British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) | 19 | All NBA markets are open, and props are popular. |
| Manitoba | PlayNow.com | Sport Select | Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL) | 18 | Player props for basketball betting are limited. |
| New Brunswick | Proline+ | Proline+ | Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) | 19 | Some live betting options are restricted |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Proline+ | Proline+ | Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) | 19 | Only basic NBA markets are offered, and player props are limited. |
| Nova Scotia | Proline+ | Proline+ | Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) | 19 | Live betting is growing in popularity. |
| Ontario | Licensed private sportsbooks | Proline+ | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) | 19 | Full NBA coverage is available, including player props and futures. |
| Prince Edward Island | Proline+ | Proline+ | Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) | 19 | Online basketball gambling markets are limited; many players use offshore sites for props. |
| Quebec | Mise-o-jeu | Mise-o-jeu | Loto-Québec | 18 | Player props are available, but some promotions are restricted. |
| Saskatchewan | Sport Select (online) | Sport Select (retail) | Saskatchewan Lotteries | 19 | NBA futures are limited due to a smaller market. |
| Northwest Territories | Sport Select | Sport Select | Northwest Territories Lotteries | 19 | Few local options exist, so most use offshore sites for NBA props. |
| Nunavut | Sport Select | Sport Select | Nunavut Lotteries | 18 | Access is limited, and offshore platforms are recommended for online basketball betting. |
| Yukon | Sport Select | Sport Select | Yukon Lotteries | 19 | NBA markets are available, but live betting options are limited. |
Popular NBA Betting Lines
Before ever putting down any real money, make sure you first know what kind of bet you’re hitching your predictions to. Even if you’re already familiar with the line you’re going for, it can only help to know how the others work because certain bets work best in certain moments:
Moneyline
The moneyline is one of the most popular across all sports because it’s also the simplest: If your team wins, you win, but if they lose, you lose. If you just keep an eye out for what the odds are like, these bets, as simple as they may be, can be extremely lucrative.
Spread
Different bets work better in different cases, and at NBA betting sites, the spread is a perfect example. Sure, you can stick to a moneyline bet if you’re certain a team is going to win, but if you could get better odds when you feel it’s going to be a blowout or a tight contest, why wouldn’t you?
The spread is the way to go in this case because the favourite has to win by a certain number of additional points for it to count. The underdog, on the other hand, would need to win the game or lose by less than a certain number of points.
Total Points
If there’s a matchup where you think it can go either way, but have a feeling a certain amount of points will be landed by the final buzzer, total points (also called over/under) are ideal. This popular wager at CAD betting sites focuses on the combined score of both teams and doesn’t concern itself with who won or lost.
NBA Prop Betting
Prop bets let you bet on the details that matter, like Pascal Siakam grabbing rebounds, Fred VanVleet sinking threes, or the Raptors taking the first-quarter lead. They give Canadian bettors a real way to use what they know and find value beyond the basic game lines.
Team Props
Team props let you bet on things like:
- Which team will hit the most three-pointers
- Toronto Raptors’ total points in a game
- First-half leader in a matchup
If you follow trends or stats for your favourite teams, they can be some of the most rewarding bets in online NBA gambling.
Player Props
Player props focus on individual performance. You might bet on:
- Any Canadian player achieving a double-double
- Pascal Siakam points, rebounds, or assists
- Fred VanVleet’s three-pointers made
These bets let you test your knowledge of players and see if your predictions match their real-life performance.
NBA Parlays
Parlays are a more advanced wager because they have you combine multiple bets onto a single slip, which means if one prediction goes south, the whole thing will go bust with it. On the other hand, if you combine a lot of bets and each and every one of them is spot on, then the payout will likely be a lot higher than with the other lines listed above. At the same time, the more predictions you add, the harder it becomes to win in general.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid making too many parlay wagers: the odds are always very much against you.
How Do NBA Betting Odds Work?
Before you sign up and start placing bets, it’s important to actually understand how odds work. Odds decide how much you win and how likely your pick is to hit. Once you get the hang of reading them, you’ll spot value faster and make smarter calls instead of betting blind.
American Odds
American odds are the standard in North American sportsbooks, but most sites we’ve listed give you the freedom to swap between different formats freely. With this format, a favourite has a minus sign (e.g., -150), meaning you need to bet $150 to profit $100. An underdog shows a plus sign (e.g., +200), so a $100 bet returns $200 profit.
Canadian Odds
Canadian NBA betting sites typically use decimal odds, which is what you’re likely going to encounter most often on your search for the best betting site. A line of 2.50 means that every dollar wagered returns $2.50 total, including your stake and $1.50 profit.

NBA Futures Betting
Futures bets are where the NBA season gets interesting. Instead of betting on one game, you’re picking how the season will play out months in advance. Which team will hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, which players will dominate the stats, and which squads will surprise everyone?
For NBA betting in Canada, futures are exciting because early odds can be way better than later in the season. Spot a Raptors dark horse or a breakout star now, and a small wager could pay off big by June.
NBA Championship Winner
This is the headline market. You’re betting on who will win it all before the season even starts or as odds shift mid-season. If you think the Raptors are quietly building a contender, getting in early can mean much better returns than waiting until they’re hot. Following how odds move also gives insight into playoff trends, so you can plan smarter bets down the line.
MVP Winner
Backing the league’s most valuable player is a way to ride star talent. Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are obvious picks, but sometimes a Canadian player flying under the radar can offer huge upside. Paying attention to stats, team success, and who’s getting consistent minutes makes all the difference at basketball betting sites.
Win Totals
This is one of the most underrated futures markets. You bet over or under on how many games a team will win in the regular season. For example, if the Raptors are projected to win 36.5 games and you think they’re better than that, the over can be a smart move. This type of bet rewards knowledge of trends and roster shifts rather than one-off performances.
Rookie of the Year
This gives you the chance to spot the next breakout star. The early-season minutes, usage, and team fit often tell the story before the hype hits. For Canadian NBA betting fans, this market is a good place to find value on a rookie that everyone else is sleeping on.
NBA Live Betting
As popular and exciting as pre-match betting can be, there’s nothing quite like putting down a bet as the NBA action’s still unfolding. With pre-match wagers, it’s all about gathering previous data to make an educated guess for the future; however, with in-play wagers, the focus is more on what you can see during the moment-to-moment plays on the court.
Plus, with how far technology has advanced, you never have to miss out on the chance to wager live with an NBA betting app. Moreover, some even stream games to you, so you don’t have to stay juggling tabs.
Canadian Banking Options at the Top NBA Sportsbooks
So far, we’ve covered the different sportsbooks you can play at, what bets are available, and how different promotions work; however, you can’t enjoy any of that unless you can deposit and withdraw comfortably. Betting at sites that cater to your preferred banking options is important because it makes things fast, keeps things familiar, and gives you peace of mind.
Common Deposit & Withdrawal Options
Out of all the possible options out there, Canadian basketball betting fans mainly stick to:
- Interac: The easiest way for Canadians to fund an NBA bet. Transfers go straight from your bank, usually in seconds, and most sportsbooks support it.
- Credit and Debit Cards: Quick and simple for deposits, though a few banks still block gambling payments. Great for topping up your account before tipoff.
- E-Wallets (PayPal, Skrill, MuchBetter): Ideal for bettors who move money often. Fast deposits, fast payouts, and a bit of privacy on the side.
- Bank Transfers: Best for bigger plays or cashing out major wins. Reliable, but not the fastest option.
- Cryptocurrency: A growing choice for online basketball gambling players who want speed and security at the best crypto betting sites.
Processing Times & Limits
| Method | Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time | Fees | Limits (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interac | Instant | 1–3 business days | Usually none | $10 – $5,000 |
| Credit/Debit Cards | Instant | 2–5 business days | Possible card fees | $10 – $3,000 |
| E-Wallets | Instant | Within 24 hours | Low service fees | $10 – $10,000 |
| Bank Transfers | 1–3 days | 3–7 business days | Varies by institution | $50 – $25,000 |
| Cryptocurrency | Instant | Within minutes | Network fees may apply | $20 – $50,000 |
5 NBA Betting Tips to Remember
The excitement of the NBA comes from its unpredictability. If we knew every time which team would win, there would be no point in watching the games. But that doesn’t mean you should bet blindly. While you can’t account for upsets or buzzer-beaters, there are plenty of things you can do to boost your odds of getting it right.
Here are 5 NBA betting tips to help you out early doors. Most of these apply to wagering on any team sport, whether that’s the NBA, NFL, soccer, or anything else:
🔝 Set Limits
Before picking out what game you want to bet on or what lines you’d like to try out, make sure to set some limits. That means deciding not just how much money you’re willing to put down, but also how much time you’ll spend betting. With something as unpredictable as the NBA, having one predictable thing, in this case, your budget, will help you avoid chasing losses, overplaying, and making other poor decisions.
📰 Do Your Research
Going into online basketball gambling blind is just about the worst thing you can do, and considering how easy it’s become to do a little research, there’s no reason to skip it. Look at team form, previous matchups, and recent performance to make smarter NBA bets and avoid relying on luck alone.
🧠 Bet With Your Mind, Not Your Heart
In line with the two points we just made, make sure to separate your love for the game from the bets you’re making. You can support the Toronto Raptors with your whole heart, but that doesn’t mean you have to bet on them to win every time they play. Make decisions based on research, odds, and value rather than loyalty.
🤕 Watch Out for External Factors
Outside of what you’d usually come across when doing your research, keep an eye on things like travel schedules, back-to-back games, injuries during warm-ups, and even changes in coaching or rotations. When it comes to NBA basketball online betting, every little detail matters.
🧮 Diversify Your Bets
Last but not least, we recommend changing up the kinds of bets you place depending on the situation. Certain bets, like moneylines, spreads, or totals, work better in different matchups or with different teams.
Best Times to Bet on the NBA
The NBA season moves fast, and betting patterns shift a lot throughout the year. Plus, with over 50% of Canadians betting on sports, there’s a lot of competition out there. Certain stretches draw more attention, while others barely get a glance. Knowing when the action heats up can make a noticeable difference to your online basketball betting:
NBA Draft
The draft takes place in late June. There aren’t games yet, but the picks set the tone for the next season. If a top rookie joins the Toronto Raptors, it immediately changes expectations for win totals and future performance. Keeping an eye on draft outcomes can help spot value for next season’s bets.
NBA Regular Season
The regular season runs from October to April, with the opening week tip-off especially worth watching. Teams settle in, rookies adjust, and early injuries affect lineups; however, this is typically the most stable period for betting, when fancied teams take on underdogs and simple moneyline or spread wager wins can mount up quickly.
NBA Play-In Tournament
This is in April, and it decides the last playoff spots. Single-elimination means anything can happen. You’ll see teams that barely scraped in pull off surprises. Raptors or other Canadian division teams are worth watching here because momentum and fatigue make a real difference. Sometimes the underdog lines are worth the risk if you notice a team is playing with energy and purpose.
NBA Playoffs
Mid-April to mid-June, best-of-seven series. Every game is high-stakes, making it extremely popular at betting sites for basketball. Coaching changes, injuries, and rotations matter a lot more than in the regular season. You’ll notice that some teams that looked unbeatable suddenly struggle under pressure.
NBA Finals
June is Finals time, and everyone is watching. Public money usually backs the favourites hard, which can create some nice opportunities on underdogs or props if you’re paying attention to matchups and form.
How to Place a Bet on an NBA Game in Canada
Betting on the NBA has only gotten easier over the years. In fact, it’s become so simple that we can walk you through the process, start to finish, in just five steps:
- Find a Sportsbook: Use the toplist we supplied you with at the top of this page to find the perfect site for your NBA betting needs.
- Create an Account: Complete the registration process by entering an email, password, and any other required information.
- Look for Promos: Sieve through the bonuses on offer for new players, as well as what you can grab later down the road. If there’s anything that applies to your first deposit, it may be worth getting.
- Add Funds: Go to the deposit page, select your preferred method and amount, then confirm.
- Start Betting: Afterward, find a game you’re interested in and place a bet. When you win, your funds will be added to your account, and you can grab them through the basketball betting site’s withdrawal page.
Responsible Gambling
As entertaining as it is to bet on our favourite NBA teams, it also comes with inherent risks. That’s the case whenever money is involved and the outcomes aren’t predictable. Thankfully, all of the sites we’ve highlighted have responsible gambling tools in place to ensure you’re always in control.
However, we’re well aware that many Canadian bettors would rather turn to local help. If that’s the case with you or someone you know who might be struggling, there are plenty of platforms out there to reach out to:
- Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-230-3505
- Canada Responsible Gambling Resources
- Canadian Responsible Gambling Council
- Problem Gambling | CAMH
