Live betting — also called in-play betting — has transformed sports wagering in Canada. Instead of placing all your bets before a game starts, you can wager while the action unfolds. Odds shift in real time based on the score, momentum, injuries, and game flow, creating opportunities that pre-match betting simply cannot offer.
Since Bill C-218 legalised single-event sports betting in Canada, live betting volumes have surged. In Ontario's regulated market, in-play wagers now account for an estimated 40 to 50% of all sports betting handle. The appeal is obvious: if you are watching a game and you see something the odds have not caught up to, you can act on it instantly.
We have tested the live betting platforms of every major Canadian sportsbook. Speed of odds updates, market variety, cash-out options, and interface quality are all critical factors. Below are the 6 best sites for live betting in Canada for 2026.
Best Live Betting Sites in Canada —
How Live Betting Works
Live betting lets you place wagers on sporting events that are already underway. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the in-play betting process.
1. Select a live event. Every sportsbook has a dedicated live betting section showing all matches currently in play. Events are organised by sport and sorted by popularity or start time.
2. Choose your market. Live markets include updated moneylines, spreads, totals, next scoring play, period/quarter/half outcomes, and more. The available markets change as the game progresses — for example, first-period bets disappear after the first period ends.
3. Place your bet quickly. Live odds change constantly. When you add a selection to your bet slip, the odds may shift before you confirm. Most sportsbooks show an “odds changed” notification and let you accept the new odds or cancel. Fast confirmation speed matters in live betting.
4. Use cash out if available. Many sportsbooks let you cash out a live bet before the event finishes. If your bet is winning and you want to lock in profit, or if the game is going sideways and you want to cut your losses, the cash-out feature gives you control. More on this in our cash out betting guide.
Best Sports for Live Betting
Not all sports are equally suited to live betting. The best in-play sports have frequent scoring, momentum shifts, and clear statistical indicators. Here is how the major sports compare for live betting.
| Sport | Live Markets | Odds Update Speed | Live Betting Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey (NHL) | Moneyline, totals, period, next goal | Fast (after each whistle) | Excellent |
| Soccer | 1X2, goals, BTTS, corners, cards | Continuous | Excellent |
| Football (NFL) | Spread, total, drive result, next score | Between plays | Very good |
| Basketball (NBA) | Spread, total, quarter, player props | Fast (free throws, timeouts) | Very good |
| Tennis | Match, set, game, total games | After each point | Excellent |
Hockey is one of the best sports for live betting because the momentum swings are dramatic. A power play, a pulled goaltender, or a quick goal can shift the moneyline by 50 to 100 cents in seconds. If you are watching the game closely, you can spot value faster than the algorithm adjusts.
Live Betting Strategies
Watch Before You Bet
The biggest mistake live bettors make is placing bets based on the score alone. A team trailing 1–0 might be dominating possession and creating chances, meaning the odds overvalue the leading team. Watch the first 5 to 10 minutes of a period or half before committing your money. Visual information is your edge.
Target Momentum Shifts
When a team scores to tie a game, the live moneyline often overreacts. A team that was trailing might now be priced as even money or a slight favourite, even if the goal came against the run of play. Identifying false momentum shifts is one of the most profitable live betting skills.
Use Cash Out Strategically
Do not cash out every winning bet early. Reserve the cash-out feature for situations where new information changes your view of the game — a key player injury, a red card, or a tactical shift that swings the advantage. Cashing out too frequently reduces your long-term expected value because the sportsbook builds a margin into every cash-out offer.
Bet on What You Know
Live betting rewards deep knowledge of a sport. If you have spent years following the NHL and understanding how teams perform in specific game situations, that knowledge translates directly into live betting edge. Do not chase live bets on sports or leagues you do not follow closely.
Live Betting Features by Sportsbook
Not all live betting platforms are equal. Here is how our 6 recommended sportsbooks compare on key in-play features.
| Feature | 888sport | LeoVegas | TonyBet | Caesars | TooNieBet | NorthStar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odds update speed | Fast | Fast | Fast | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Live streaming | ||||||
| Cash out | ||||||
| Partial cash out | ||||||
| In-play stats | Good | Good | Excellent | Good | Basic | Basic |
| NHL live markets | 15+ | 12+ | 15+ | 12+ | 8+ | 8+ |
888sport and TonyBet Sport lead the pack for live NHL betting with the fastest odds updates and the deepest in-play market selection. LeoVegas Sport stands out for live streaming, which lets you watch the game and bet simultaneously within the same app. Caesars offers a solid all-round live betting experience with partial cash out on most markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Live betting (also called in-play betting) allows you to place wagers on sporting events that are already in progress. Odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, and game flow. You can bet on updated moneylines, totals, next scoring plays, and more while watching the action unfold.
Yes. Live betting is fully legal in Canada at licensed sportsbooks. Since Bill C-218 legalised single-event betting in August 2021, in-play wagering has been available through Ontario's regulated market. All 6 sportsbooks on our list offer live betting on NHL, NFL, soccer, basketball, and more.
888sport and TonyBet Sport have the fastest live odds updates and deepest in-play market selection. LeoVegas Sport offers the best live streaming feature, letting you watch and bet simultaneously. For the best overall live betting experience, 888sport is our top recommendation.
Yes. Most sportsbooks offer cash out on live bets. Cash out lets you settle your bet early for a guaranteed amount before the event finishes. Some operators also offer partial cash out, which lets you lock in some profit while keeping part of your bet active. See our cash out betting guide for details.
It depends on the sport and sportsbook. For NHL hockey, odds typically update after each whistle (goals, penalties, stoppages). For soccer, updates are nearly continuous. 888sport and LeoVegas Sport had the fastest update speeds in our testing, with delays of under 5 seconds after major game events.
Absolutely. NHL live betting is available at all 6 sportsbooks on our list. In-play markets include updated moneylines, period outcomes, next goal scorer, adjusted totals, and player props. The top operators offer 15+ live markets per NHL game with real-time statistical displays.
Hockey, soccer, and tennis are considered the best sports for live betting due to their frequent momentum shifts and continuous play. NFL and NBA are also strong live betting sports. The key is choosing sports you follow closely, as visual information from watching the game gives you an edge over the odds algorithm.
The most effective live betting strategy is to watch the game before placing your bet. Do not bet based on the score alone. Look for situations where the odds have not caught up to what is actually happening on the ice, pitch, or field. Patience and deep sport knowledge are the biggest advantages in live betting.
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Gambling is entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget before you bet and never wager more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or visit connexontario.ca. You can also reach the Responsible Gambling Council at responsiblegambling.org. All licensed sportsbooks offer self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and session time reminders. You must be 19+ to gamble in Ontario. Please play responsibly.