Basketball Betting

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Hello, Canadian basketball fans and welcome to casinosforcanada. In this article, Canadian punters will find a review of the best basketball betting sites that offer great odds and a variety of bets.

List of the Top 10 Online Basketball Casinos

Below is our list of the 10 most popular basketball betting sites that Canadians can enjoy.

  1. TornadoBet Casino
  2. Evobet Casino
  3. Savarona Casino
  4. Campeon Bet Casino
  5. LsBet Casino
  6. ReloadBet Casino
  7. WebbySlot Casino
  8. Wallacebet Casino
  9. Betsafe Casino
  10. Spin Casino

How We Rank the Most Popular Basketball Betting Sites

When we review online casinos, sportsbooks and the best basketball betting sites, we leave no stone unturned. Our thoroughness ensures that we recommend only the best sites to Canadian players. We always evaluate basketball betting sites based on the following criteria:

Safety and Reliability: We carefully scrutinize each sportsbook or casino’s license and regulation records to ensure that the site utilizes advanced SSL encryption and other security protocols. This guarantees that players’ financial and sensitive information remains confidential. 

Bonuses: The best basketball betting sites that we recommend offer enticing bonuses that do not have stringent or unreasonable terms and conditions attached to them.

Variety of Bets: The variety and quality of basketball bet lines and odds is one of the major factors that affects our rating. We ensure that the best basketball betting sites we recommend offer various types of bets such as over/under, handicaps, player rebound stats and lots more.

Technical support: A professional, responsive customer support team is essential. Therefore, we only recommend online basketball betting sites that provide top notch customer support 24/7, through a variety of mediums so that Canadian players can easily get in touch with them and resolve any issues that may arise.

Mobile Compatibility: Mobile betting is a growing trend, so our team ensures that the basketball betting sites we recommend are compatible with mobile devices and tablets. We also check to see if a download app is available.

What is the NBA?

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America that was founded on June 6, 1946. Headquartered in New York, the NBA comprises 30 teams and is one of the four major professional sports leagues in Canada. It is the third wealthiest professional sports league and its regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The Milwaukee Bucks are the current reigning champions of the league after winning the 2021 finals.

What are basketball bets?

Basketball offers a wide range of betting options, so it is a good idea to gain a proper understanding of how the different types of bets work before you place a bet. Some of the most popular bets that Canadian players can make at basketball betting sites include:

Moneyline: This is a simple bet on who will win the match. The odds are usually presented in decimals; for example, the odds may look like 2.03.

Handicap/Point Spread: In this popular betting market, the favourite in a game receives a points handicap. This sets a margin between the teams, giving the team equal and balanced chances. For example, a player can give the Lakers a +1.5 handicap to beat the Orlando Pirates.

Totals/Total points: With this type of bet, a player must decide the total number of points that will be scored during the game. Usually, the sportsbook provides the numbers and players have to bet on whether the total number of points will be over or under the figures that the sportsbook provides. It is further broken down into total points scored in a specified half or quarter. Some betting sites even offer the option to bet on the total points scored by individual players.

Halftime/Fulltime: This type of bet gives a player the option to predict who will be winning at halftime and who will be winning at fulltime.

Parlays: Parlays are multi-game bets that require you to pick the winners of a selection of games. This can either be based on moneylines or spreads. Some sites also allow you to place parlay bets on other markets such as total points.

Outright/Overall winner: A bet on the outcome of a competition or tournament.

Overtime – yes/no: With this type of bet, players have the option to decide if a match will be won during regular time, or end up a tie, resulting in overtime. Players can also bet on the winner of the game during overtime.

Both teams will score a specified number of points: The sportsbook sets a number that both teams have to pass in order for the bet to pay off. If you believe a high-scoring encounter is in the offing, and that both teams will score more points than that number, this is a bet for you.

How to Calculate Basketball Betting Odds

There are three main types of odds in basketball betting:

American moneyline: These odds are centered around the concept of wagering $100 on a given bet. If Canadian players bet on a favourite, the odds will have a minus (-) sign and indicate the amount of money you will need to risk to win $100. If a player bets on an underdog, the odds will have a plus (+) sign in front. 

For example, if a player is betting on a favourite like the Yankees at -130, they will need to risk $130 and will win $100 if New York wins the game (plus the original stake of $130).

If a player bets on an underdog like the Red Sox at +110, they will have to risk $100 and will win $110 if Boston wins the game (plus the original stake of $100).

It should be noted that players don’t necessarily have to bet $100; American odds can scale up or down based on your stake size.

Decimal prices: The decimal odds number represents the amount a player can win for every $1 wagered. For decimal odds, the number represents the total payout rather than the profit. This means that your stake is already included in the decimal number, making the total payout calculation easier. Therefore, the total potential return on a stake can be calculated as: Total payout= Stake x Decimal odd number.

For example, if there is a match between the Lakers and Boston:

Team Odds Stake Total Payout
Lakers 4.00 $100 $100×4.00=$400
Boston 2.00 $100 $100×2.00=$200

British fractional odds: Fractional odds are in the form of 6/1, and give the ratio of the amount or profit made to the original stake. This means that a player will receive their stake in addition to the profit. Therefore, the total potential return on a stake can be calculated as: Total Payout= [Stake x (Numerator/Denominator)] where the numerator/denominator is the fractional odd (e.g, 24/4).

For example, if a player stakes $20 at 6/1, their total payout will be $140 ($120 profit + $20 original stake).

Consider the following example,where we use decimal odds of 3.00 with a stake of $10 on a team winning a game. Essentially, the overall winnings would be your stake times the price (10 x 3.00). So, if a player bets $10 on the horse to win, the potential winnings would be $30 ($20 profit plus your stake back).

With the basketball bet odds calculator, Canadian players can convert odds, determine their profits for certain bet combinations and discover the implied probability of winning.

Live Basketball Betting

Live basketball betting is extremely popular among Canadian punters because they can evaluate opportunities to win as a match or game is in progress. Live basketball betting comes with better odds, and a variety of bet types, such as which team will score the next point, overs/under, which team will commit the next foul, and lots more. This option also helps players who didn’t bet on the game before it started, giving them the opportunity to participate and not miss out entirely.

Most sportsbooks that offer live basketball betting also stream the match live, or give real time commentary. 

Basketball betting in mobile applications

The most convenient way for Canadian bettors to wager on NBA games is through a dedicated app. Apps provide a great experience that is custom-made for mobile devices. This allows you to bet comfortably from wherever you are, including on the go.

The best basketball betting apps are available for both Android devices or iOS and tablets. Canadian players can download Android apps from sportsbook websites; these apps are not available in the Google Play Store, while for iOS, apps are always available in the App Store.

The 5 best online casinos with the coolest mobile basketball betting apps

  1. BetCruise 
  2. SvenBet
  3. Betsafe
  4. Casumo Sports
  5. Spin Casino

Types of Basketball Betting Bonuses

Bonuses can go a long way towards helping players expand their bankroll. Some of the bonuses that Canadian players can claim at the best basketball betting sites include:

Welcome Deposit Bonus

Welcome bonuses are given to Canadian players when they register or sign up with a basketball betting site. The bonus usually varies depending on the site, and may come in the form of a percentage boost to increase your first, second, or third deposit into your gaming account. For example, a player may receive $500 to play with. They may also receive a 100% multiplier boost of up to $500 on their first deposit, a 75% boost of up to $250 on their second deposit, and a 50% boost of up to $100 on their third deposit.

We strongly advise that players take a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions that are attached to any bonus being offered.

Boosted Odds  

Boosted odds are odds that have been increased more than normal, thereby yielding a larger win if the bettor’s wager is successful. Canadian players should keep an eye out for an offer of boosted odds when a big basketball game is about to be played.

Free Bets

Free bets are bonus funds that players can use to bet on one or more events. These free bets do not usually come with terms and conditions, and when a player wins the basketball bet, they can cash out their money right away. 

VIP/Loyalty Club

Canadian players who regularly bet at a casino or sportsbook may be invited by the site’s VIP team to become an elite member of the VIP/loyalty club.

These customers are made to feel special, as they have access to extra benefits such as free basketball bets, access to exclusive offers, special odds and account managers, and vacations.

Cashback Bonus

Cashback bonuses refund players a percentage of their overall losses during a particular period of time or on a specific wager. For example, players can be refunded a percentage of the money that they lost on basketball bets during the previous week.

Which basketball competitions can you bet on?

Basketball games are played on a daily, monthly and yearly basis, with some attracting a large number of spectators. These tournaments and events are hosted all over the world and amass more than $500 million in bets. Some of the events that Canadian players can bet on include:

NBA (National Basketball Association): The NBA is the peak of basketball, a large North America league with big players and big money. Canadian fans around the world can follow the fortunes of their favourite NBA teams and players, as games are broadcasted in more than 35 different regions. The NBA consists of 30 teams that play 82 games per season. Other tournaments associated with the NBA include: NBA finals, play-offs, Eastern/Western Conferences and All-Star Weekend.

NCAA (College Basketball): College basketball is highly competitive and features the best young talent across the United States. The NCAA comprises three divisions, each with their own conferences. The NCAA is one of the largest basketball leagues in the world, with hundreds of teams and a plethora of betting opportunities for basketball enthusiasts.

Division Conferences
Division I 32 Conferences
Division II 24 Conferences
Division III 44 Conferences

 Other tournaments associated with NCAA basketball include: March Madness, Division I Conferences and The First Four.

EuroLeague: EuroLeague consists of 18 teams and plays 34 games per season. It is the equivalent of the champions league in soccer. The best teams from all of the European leagues face each other midweek, in between their domestic duties. EuroLeague is famous among European and Canadian fans, and its average attendance is second only to the NBA’s. The EuroLeague tournament structure includes the regular season, play-offs and Final Four.

NBL (National Basketball League): The NBL was founded in the late 1970s and is now the premier men’s basketball competition in New Zealand and Australia. The NBL consists of 9 teams, 8 in Australia and 1 in New Zealand, with 28 games played per season. The NBL season structure includes the regular season, play-offs and the NBL Finals.

Tips for Winning Basketball Bets

  • Double check the starting line-up.
  • Keep an eye on important stats.
  • Watch out for big line moves.
  • Be on the lookout for “Value” bets and the best odds.
  • Always gamble responsibly.

Glossary of Basketball Betting Terms

Below is a glossary of basic betting terms that you will need to know if you wish to bet on basketball. 

Accumulator Bet: This wager is made up of at least two selections which might not be made on one and the same event from the agenda of NBA. Such wagers grant rewards only if all of the individual selections are completely correct.

Dime Bet: A bet in the amount of $1,000.

Buck: A bet of $100. This term is also used by NBA bettors to describe a $1 bet.

Monkey: A wager of £500. Such wagers are also called a nickel by NBA bettors.

Fin: A $50 NBA bet.

Grand: Grand bets are $1,000 bets that are also known as dime bets.

Pony:  A $25 wager.

Nickel:  A term which is used to describe a $500 bet.

First Half Betting: With this type of bet, a stake is made only on the first half of the match.

Second Half Betting: – Betting only on the second half of a game.

Future Bets:  A type of NBA bet where gamblers place their stakes prior to the outset of the regular season. Thanks to future bets, punters can wager on the team they think will win the playoffs or the finals.

Moneyline Bets:  With moneyline bets, gambling aficionados wager on the team that they think will win the match. It is important to note that with this type of bet, there is no point spread.

Parlay Bets: A single stake which consists of two or more selections on several NBA matches. Such stakes grant a payoff only if each of the selections is a winning one.

Point Spread Betting: With NBA point spread betting, the underdog will be furnished with additional points, whereas the team which is considered the favourite will be deprived of a set number of points. The goal is to create a level playing field. The number of points which might be awarded or taken away from the basketball teams is also popular with punters as point spread.

Proposition Bets: Exotic wagers which involve betting on events that might occur throughout the course of the basketball game, and which might not have a direct impact on the way in which the game will pan out.

Prop Bets: Short for proposition bets.

Push: A stake which is neither a winner nor a loser.

Teaser Bets: An NBA wager which encompasses several selections and which gives you the chance to adjust the point spread in your favour, in exchange for smaller returns.

FAQ

How do odds work in basketball?

Basketball odds are a mathematical expression of the likelihood of a particular outcome occurring. Your winnings are calculated by multiplying your stake by the odds.

How does over/under work in basketball?

For an over/under bet, also known as a totals wager, sportsbooks set the number of points that will be scored in a game. Canadian players can then bet over or under that total. For example, for a game between the Lakers and Sixers, the total could be set at 240 points. If you place an under bet, you predict that the combined number of points will be under that total.

Where can you bet on basketball?

It is safe to assume that almost every sportsbook in the world now offers opportunities to bet on basketball. The sport has gained global popularity in recent decades, driven by the commercial success of the NBA. Canadian players can find our selection of the best basketball betting sites right here on this page.

What is a double result in basketball?

This is a bet where a player gets to predict the result of both halves of a game. For example, you may bet on the Chicago Bulls being in the lead after the first half but the Golden State Warriors being the winner at full-time.

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