Hockey is a massively popular sport in many parts of the world and has some fine leagues to keep tabs on. While this is certainly true, the NHL remains the premier hockey competition for people all around the world to stay up to date with. The US naturally is a place where the NHL grabs major headlines, but its close neighbor Canada also has a real obsession with hockey’s tier one tournament.
Hockey and NHL dominate sports in Canada
Due to this, it is fair to say that hockey remains the dominant sport in Canada and the NHL remains the go-to choice for most Canadian sports fans. There are people all over the country who watch the latest games and keep up with breaking NHL stories. In addition to this, people across Canada also like to bet on NHL games and add a little more excitement to them through doing so.
This is especially true in Ontario where wagering on hockey games is a much-loved pastime. When you see what Ontario’s top sportsbooks to bet on NHL with offer to bettors, this is not a surprise. If you plan to bet on the NHL from Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, it is wise to know what you are doing first though. This is especially true when it comes to knowing about sports betting bonuses and the wagering requirements they usually come with.
It’s important to note that following the 2022-23 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the most valued franchise in the NHL, valued at $2.12 billion. The NY Rangers are next at $2.1 billion. And the Montreal Canadiens are third at 1.7 billion.
What are bonus deals for NHL betting in Canada?
Although it is not possible to advertise or discuss specific bonus deals various sportsbooks offer under Canadian gambling laws, bettors should know what they refer to in general and why they are worth hunting down.
Sports betting bonuses are extras which sportsbooks give to customers for creating an account with them. This is normally in the form of a welcome bonus package which can include free bets or matched deposit deals. In addition, NHL sportsbooks in Canada may also run ongoing promotions each week for existing customers to enjoy. This can include a range of offers from free bets to boosted odds or money-back on parlay wagers.
But why do so many NHL gamblers in Canada look out for bonus offers? To begin with, they can bring even more fun into betting on teams like the Edmonton Oilers and spice up your sports betting journey. Bonus offers can also give you free cash to wager on NHL games with and free cash to try out new betting strategies with.
Wagering requirements in NHL sports betting
One term you may hear connected with sportsbook bonus offers is wagering requirements. Wagering requirements are typically detailed within the fine print of any sports betting promo and outline how many times you need to wager the bonus amount before you will be able to withdraw it. As you may expect, it is best to look for the lowest wagering requirements possible when evaluating the terms of any bonus.
This is because it makes it much easier and quicker to get your hands on any winnings. It is common to see wagering requirements of up to x30 at most NHL sportsbooks. Anything over that could result in you having to wager a lot of money through, depending on the bonus amount.
What other terms and conditions should you know about for NHL betting in Canada?
The first thing to note is that all sportsbooks you might bet on the NHL in Canada may have their own unique rules around certain things. Some may stipulate that you can only use free bets on wagers which have a minimum odds threshold, such as odds that are no lower than -150. This is obviously important to note so you do not make bonus bets which are classified as invalid.
With the above in mind, it is always crucial to look carefully at any NHL sportsbook in Canada you might bet with before signing up to see the various terms and conditions on their website. It is true though that certain guidelines and rules are common at betting sites in the country.
For example, there is a minimum age before you can legally bet on sports in the country. This may be either 18 or 19 depending on the province you are in. As with most sports betting markets now, you may find that some sportsbooks in Canada ask for documents which prove your identity before you can request a withdrawal. This is part of the global Know Your Customer guidance which is now employed by the sports betting/online gambling sector.
Why should you know about the fine print when betting on hockey in Canada?
Knowing not only about major things like bonuses but also the fine print around sports betting in general is worthwhile for a few very good reasons. Firstly, it means you start betting on hockey from a position of knowledge and fully understanding how the sector works. It also means you stay in line with the rules any sportsbook may have and don’t break them through ignorance.
An offer which gives enhanced odds on Connor McDavid to score in overtime for example would not be valid if he scored in normal time. If you did not pick up on this when placing the bet, you would be disappointed to see it was unsuccessful as you thought you had won if he scored in regular time.
As this shows, knowing a bit more about bonuses, wagering requirements and other key background details makes for a much more enjoyable NHL wagering experience.
NHL wagering around Canada in 2023 There are some key things you need to learn before you start betting on NHL matches within Canada. Although digging into the terms and conditions a sportsbook may have on bonuses or other parts of their operation is not the most exciting activity, it is very useful. It is highly recommended as something to do when choosing which sportsbooks to bet on NHL games with in the c