Manitoba Sports Betting: Top Sportsbooks & Legal Update (2024)

Manitoba is a province that has a huge number of enthusiastic sports bettors. The Manitoba sports betting industry may not be as famed as in neighbouring Ontario, but it is still massive, and there is plenty to know about sports betting in Manitoba.

If you are curious about betting in this province, we’re here to clear everything up. We’re going to dive deep into everything you need to know about using Manitoba’s sportsbooks. We’ll break down the top options for betting in this province, uncover why they are great, and look at the rules for gambling across the province. Ready? Let’s begin.

At BettingTop10 Canada, we are big fans of the gambling industry, and we take a lot of pride in offering bettors insightful, informative guides about gambling in their locations. But how do we rank the betting sites that we promote as our top options? Let’s look at some of the criteria we factor in when ranking betting sites.

• Legality and Safety: Safety is paramount when wagering online, so one of the first things we consider is user safety. We will look over the licensing to ensure the operator is legal and check their online reviews to make sure they are safe and legal.
• Payment Options: Bettors all prefer to pay using different formats, so we check the different payment options that an operator accepts. The more, the better, but it is also important they cover the ones Manitoba bettors prefer.
• Sports Coverage: There are several Manitoba sports teams gamblers want to wager on. We check the sports and markets that a betting site offers to ensure they have plenty of great options for gamblers available.
• Mobile Betting: Many bettors love to wager from their phones, but not all sportsbooks accommodate this preference. To ensure bettors have a positive mobile wagering experience, we check if an operator has a betting app or a functional mobile website.
• Betting Offers: Promotions and betting offers are a big incentive for a lot of gamblers. If you are interested in using these different offers, we check to make sure that they have plenty available. We also look over the terms and conditions to verify bettors are getting their money’s worth.
• User Experience: The experience users have when wagering online is so important. We check to make sure betting sites have a fun, intuitive website with enough features to keep bettors coming back. 

Sports betting across Canada has different rules. That creates a situation that is rather complicated, as bettors have to be sure that it is safe and legal in the jurisdiction they reside in. We know that this can be confusing, which is why we are here to help walk bettors through this process and break down whether or not they can gamble.

Below, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty and cover everything you need to know about the legality of Manitoba sports betting.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Manitoba?

To explain a complicated question in as succinct a manner as possible, the answer is yes. However, there are some exceptions to the legality of sports betting in Manitoba. If we want to consider the legality of wagering in the province, we’ll have to look at the bigger picture.

For a while, sports betting in Manitoba was not truly legal. This is because single-game betting was not provincially supported in the province, much like it wasn’t across the country. For those who don’t know, single-game betting is the ability to wager on single events.

Instead, gamblers could use parlay betting operators. These were run by provincial lottery companies, and allowed bettors to wager on parlay bets, meaning multiple outcomes at once. The odds were worse than most sportsbooks, as this operator had a monopoly.

There were alternatives to this, in the form of the sports betting gray market. The gray market is operators like Bet365 or Bodog. They have licenses from offshore regulators that allow them to operate around the world. They aren’t regulated in Canada and, thus, not fully “legal," but it isn’t expressly illegal to use them. Most bettors relied on the gray market, as there was really no form of punishment for using these kinds of operators.

One of the biggest changes to the industry happened recently, and it has shaken things up across the nation. In 2021, Canada passed Bill C-218. Bill C-218 removed the federal prohibition on single-game sports betting that had previously been in place. This rule opened the door to legal single-game betting, but it would be determined by provinces.

That meant provinces could determine whether or not they wanted to implement single-game betting. In Manitoba, the change was fast. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, or MBLL, released a single-game betting service called PlayNow Manitoba.

This is an operator that is overseen by the provincial government. It allows bettors to place bets on single events. So, if you want to wager on the Jets or Blue Bombers, you can visit this operator and bet on games. However, one thing bettors will note is that it didn’t necessarily blow the doors off the industry. Gambling is still heavily limited to just that operator.

The gray market in Manitoba still exists, even as this rule has arrived. Bettors can wager on other operators that are located offshore. So, if you don’t like the odds and offers on the Manitoba-based operator, you will still be able to use plenty of alternative options. However, many Manitoba residents might be turning their eye to what is available in Ontario.

Just East of Manitoba, Ontario is an entirely unique position. They have embraced the changes from Bill C-218 more than any other province. Rather than just having a lottery-ran operator, they have a provincially-ran regulator, known as iGaming Ontario. This oversees the gambling industry in the province and provides licenses to different operators.

This licensing company has allowed a huge surge of different sportsbooks to enter the Ontario market. Operators like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings are now available in Ontario and nowhere else in Canada.

This has opened the door to a massive range of additional income for the province. The industry has expanded rapidly. Ontario is funnelling the taxable money they are getting from regulating the industry towards a range of welfare causes, including treating gambling addiction.

This is something many Manitoba residents wouldn’t mind spreading. Predicting the future is remarkably difficult because the changes in the gambling industry don’t always involve public discussion. But there is a good chance that other provinces might follow Ontario’s lead, and Manitoba might be one of them.

If that is the case, the industry will skyrocket in the province. It will bring in some serious money, as operators enter Manitoba and hire a bunch of local employees, like they did in Ontario. The government will get more taxable money from these sportsbooks instead of watching it funnel overseas. And Manitoba residents can enjoy gambling on a huge range of new legal betting sites instead of just one provincially-ran operator.

Who Can Bet on Sports in Manitoba?

Just because sports betting in Manitoba is mostly legal doesn’t mean just anyone can walk into the province and start wagering. Betting is a heavily regulated industry, and there are certainly limits to who can bet across the province.

If you want to join a sportsbook in Manitoba, there are several different criteria you will need to fulfill. It isn’t as easy as simply deciding to start betting. So, let’s look at some of the different factors that are at play.

• Age Limit: Like in the rest of Canada, Manitoba has a mandatory age restriction for sports betting. However, unlike most other provinces, that age limit is 18. In most other provinces, the age limit is 19.
• Location: If you want to join up with Manitoba’s primary sportsbook, you can’t be located anywhere but in Manitoba. You must have a fixed address within the province to list when you sign up.
• Personal Statuses: There are several people who are not legally allowed to bet in Manitoba. These include politically exposed individuals. Some sportsbooks check to verify if you are someone who fits this kind of status.
• Mobile Options: If you want to bet in Manitoba, you can choose to do so from either your phone or desktop. The same restrictions apply no matter what format you use.
• Are Winnings Taxable: If you are betting in Manitoba, can your winnings be taxed? The answer to this is no! Betting wins fall under the windfall portion of income, meaning it can not be taxed.

Offshore Sportsbooks in Manitoba?

We’ve mentioned offshore sportsbooks already, but let’s reiterate one more time. Offshore sportsbooks are part of the gambling gray market in Manitoba. What that means is they are not fully legal, as they don’t have government approval. But they are also not illegal.

Bettors can wager on offshore sportsbooks in Manitoba like Betway, Bodog, and more. As long as it is not exclusively iGaming Ontario-licensed, like BetMGM or FanDuel, it can be used in Manitoba.

We’ve given you much of the important legal information about Manitoba and discussed the government-ran operations like ProLine Manitoba. But there is a lot more to get into here.

We’ve established that you can bet on sporting events in Manitoba. But how? Not everyone is aware of how they can take steps to start wagering online. In reality, it is actually very easy.

Signing up for a sportsbook should only take a matter of minutes. Below, we’ll provide a quick step-by-step guide to wagering in Manitoba.

• Step One: Pick Your Sportsbook. This is a crucial first step. You need to find a sportsbook that is legal to use in Manitoba first and foremost. From there, you will want to pick a betting site that has all the core features you are looking for; check our many sportsbook reviews to see what each major Canadian operator provides.
• Step Two: Go Through the Registration Process. Once you’ve found a sportsbook, start the registration process. To do this, you’ll have to click Join Now on the website. Most operators require a significant amount of personal information, including your address, contact information, and age. This is to verify your legality.
• Step Three: Fill Your Account. Once you’ve created an account, you will have to put money into it. We’ll touch more on how that process will play out below.
• Step Four: Start Wagering. Once you have an account set up and funded, you can start betting. To do this, browse the different sports and markets on the website and click on the one you want to wager on. You will then have to input your wager amount, and you are off to the races.

Banking Options

Before you can start betting, you’ll need to fund your account. The banking process is one of the foundational aspects of using any betting site. If you want to bet, you need to have money in your account; it is that simple.

Many bettors get a little tentative about the concept of trusting a sportsbook with their banking details. This is valid! It is important to exercise caution when sports betting in Manitoba, as using an illegal or fraudulent website could result in your information being stolen.

Generally speaking, if you use a trusted operator, you have no real cause for concern. Sportsbooks thrive on trust. If users don’t trust them and word spreads, there is no more money coming in. So most sports betting sites will take diligent measures to try and protect the information and payments of their users.

The first step of the banking process is depositing. To deposit, visit the banking page on a sportsbook and click on the deposit tab. There are several deposit options you’ll find on a typical Manitoba betting site. Some of these include:

• Interac
• Visa/MasterCard
• PayPal
• Cryptocurrency
• E-Wallets

Each deposit method will have a different transaction time and minimum/maximum withdrawal or deposit amount. It depends on the sportsbook.

The next step will be withdrawing. If you have won money on a betting site or want to pull the amount you deposited out, you will then withdraw. Most sportsbooks require you to verify your identity before you withdraw, even if they don’t do that when you deposit.

The withdrawal methods are typically similar to the deposit options. Be warned, withdrawals will often take longer than deposits. There is a standard waiting time of several days before you can expect to get your money back.

Overall, the deposit and withdrawal process should not be too cumbersome. Bettors who wager on trusted sportsbooks can feel confident that their money is safe. While the deposit and withdrawal options differ according to the website, you are highly likely to find one that fits your unique needs.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Manitoba

Manitoba is a province where you’ll find a huge number of devoted sports enthusiasts. Not only are there several professional sports teams in the province that locals love to wager on, but residents of Manitoba happily cheer on teams from around the world.

While Manitoba residents bet on every league under the sun, there are several sports you will see most often on the typical Manitoba resident’s bet slip. Let’s explore some of the most popular sports to wager on in sportsbooks in Manitoba.

• Hockey: Manitoba residents are ardent hockey fans, and you better believe many residents wager on the NHL. The Winnipeg Jets are a beloved team across the province, and many residents bet on the Jets and other NHL results.
• Football: The NFL is hugely popular in Manitoba, with many devoting their Sundays to wagering on the sport. But many Manitobans also place bets on the CFL, particularly with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers looking like one of the top teams in the sport.
• Basketball: Basketball has emerged over the past several decades as one of the world’s most popular sports. Manitoba citizens certainly pay close attention, with many NBA fans across the province.
• Baseball: While there is no Manitoba MLB team, many in the province pull for the Blue Jays. Wagering on the MLB is something many Manitobans love, as baseball is a historic, exciting sport that is a major Canadian tradition.
• Soccer: Soccer’s popularity has skyrocketed across Canada, and it is easily the most-watched sport on the planet. Many Manitoba residents regularly wager on soccer events around the world, whether they are International games, MLS battles, or Premier League showdowns.
• Combat Sports: A big fight draws attention from around the sports world, and many Manitobans place their bets on combat sports. This includes boxing, the UFC, and more.
• Golf: Golf is a sport played by millions around the world and wagered on by millions more. Manitoba golf enthusiasts will wager on the biggest tournaments, praying to hit it big on a huge performance from their favourite players.

Most Popular Markets

While it is important to know what sports Manitoba residents are wagering on, it is also important to have a sense of the different markets that are popular for sports betting in Manitoba.

If you are unfamiliar, that word might have flown a little over your head. So, what is a market in sports betting? Betting markets are the different outcomes within a game or league that gamblers are wagering on to either occur or not occur. These are the individual things that bettors are putting their money on.

There are many different kinds of markets on the internet. Let’s look at some of the ones that are most used on Manitoba sports betting sites.

• Moneyline: A Moneyline bet is a wager on the direct outcome of a game. If you bet on a team on the Moneyline, that means you have picked them to win that game.
• Point Spread: The Point spread is a line that indicates the projected score differential in the game in favour of a team. Bettors can bet for the spread, meaning the favoured team exceeds the differential, or against it, meaning they don’t.
• Over/Under: The over/under is a line that reflects the projected total amount of points in a game between both teams combined. Bettors can pick the over, meaning the teams combine for more points, or the under, meaning they combine for less.
• Futures: Futures are long-term wagers within a league. For example, betting on a team to win the Stanley Cup, betting on a player to win MVP, and so on.
• Game Props: Game Props are outcomes within a game that bettors are wagering on. These don’t necessarily determine the final score. Game Props can be something like which team will be winning after the first quarter, how many three-pointers a team will have, and so on.
• Player Props: Player Props are similar to game props, except they are centred around players. For example, that could be something like whether a player will score a goal in an NHL game or how many passing yards an NFL quarterback will have.
• Double Chance: Double Chance is a form of betting where gamblers wager on two of the three potential outcomes in a game. Those three outcomes are Team A wins, tie, or Team B wins. Bettors get any two of these outcomes. Naturally, the payout isn’t very high for this market.

Other Bets

If you are someone who loves wagering, sports aren’t the only things you can place bets on. Most Manitoba sports betting sites will take bets on different things, as well. Let’s look at some things you can bet on that aren’t sports.

• Entertainment: If you are a movie buff, or are up-to-date with all the big TV shows, you can gamble on entertainment markets on most sportsbooks. These include TV show endings, like who will get the throne in Game of Thrones or Award Show results.
• Politics: In Canada, the United States, and other parts of the world, elections are a massive talking point. But you can do more than just talk about it on most betting sites. You can also bet on potential election results.
• E-Sports: E-Sports are all the rage these days. These are video game events that feature the top gamers competing in a wide range of games. Gamblers can bet on these major tournaments. 

Manitoba is a sports hotspot with many devoted fans across the province. But what sports teams do Manitoba residents choose to wager on? There are several sports teams that have a large fan base in the province. Let’s look at some of the most popular.

• Winnipeg Jets: The Winnipeg Jets are the most popular sports team in Manitoba. This NHL franchise has returned after several years away and has had a productive few years with an adoring group of fans.
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a CFL franchise that has had an excellent run of success over the past few years. They appear poised for another potential Grey Cup run.
• Toronto Blue Jays: Even if they are not located in Manitoba, the Blue Jays still have a big following in the province. They are the only Canadian MLB team, so most baseball fans here pull for them.
• Toronto Raptors: Similar to the Blue Jays, the Raptors also have a large group of followers in Manitoba. They are Canada’s only NBA squad, and many were ecstatic when they claimed the 2019 Championship.

If you are not a huge sports fan, that doesn’t mean you will have no gambling options. There are many other kinds of betting that are highly popular online. Many sportsbooks in Manitoba have a huge range of other options for betting enthusiasts to wager on.

Let’s look at some of the other types of betting options you’ll find online.

• Card Games: Card games are hugely popular. Bettors around the world flock to their local casinos to play games like poker and blackjack. But you never have to leave the house to enjoy card games, as you can simply wager online with the many virtual casinos that have card game options.
• Slots: Arguably the most popular format for online betting comes as slots. Slot machine wagering on different sports betting sites is hugely popular. You can find an array of themes and slot types in sportsbooks across the country.
• Virtual Sports: If you don’t like real sports, may I recommend virtual sports? These are randomly simulated games sportsbooks have that bettors can wager on.
• Roulette: Roulette is one of the most popular Vegas games, and you can enjoy wagering on Roulette straight from your computer or phone. Many betting sites host live roulette events.

Before you hop onto your favourite betting site and start wagering, there are several considerations. We’ve explained how to wager in Manitoba, but we haven’t gotten into how to do it responsibly.

There are several ways bettors can stay safe and avoid reckless gambling behaviour. For starters, they should practice payroll management. Be cautious with your bets, and never bet more than you are comfortable losing.

You should also always check a sportsbook’s license and online reputation. Make sure the operator you are using is safe and trustworthy. If they are licensed, there is a good chance you can rely on them. Read user reviews to make sure they are not problematic.

If you notice an addiction forming, seek help. The Manitoba Liquor & Lottery company provides a Gambling Hotline at 1-800-463-1554.

Sportsbook to Avoid

The biggest thing you should consider with betting sites is the license and legality. If a sports betting site is licensed and legal in Manitoba, then you don’t have to worry. However, if it is not, then watch out. Unlicensed sports betting sites can end up being scams or unsafe.

For bettors, there are two options. You can wager on a licensed site, or you can wager on an unlicensed site. The choice is very simple. When it comes down to it, make sure you are wagering on a licensed site.

A licensed sportsbook has been approved by regulators. While there aren’t major regulators in Manitoba who are licensing outside operators, sportsbooks that have licenses from other authorities are still legal to use in Manitoba.

For a betting site to be licensed, they have to let regulators look through them. They have to validate their security, their fairness, and more. Once they are done, the regulator allows them to serve different jurisdictions.

With unlicensed operators, there is no third party who ensures that they are safe and fair. An unlicensed operator is also far more likely to be illegal.

Why Should I Use a Licensed Site?

As we’ve explained above, a licensed operator is far safer. They can be relied upon because they have been double-checked and verified by a trusted gaming authority. With unlicensed operators, this is not the case.

Licensed betting sites are legal and secure. They are fair and abide by industry standards. Unlicensed operators don’t have to fulfill the same obligations.

About PlayNow

PlayNow is the betting site that is run by Manitoba’s lottery. It is a website that allows for single-game betting. It is the only provincially-run website in Manitoba. They are licensed by the government, so you can feel confident and safe using this trusted operator.

Not everyone is familiar with the complicated world of sports betting. It is very normal to have some questions about using this operator. If you are someone who has questions about sports betting in Manitoba, we are here to help.

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about wagering online in Manitoba