BetMGM Canada Review

BetMGM at a Glance

BetMGM Canada Inc. is the legal entity operating the BetMGM sportsbook in Canada. It is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain, founded in 2018. The company's international headquarters is in Jersey City, New Jersey. In Canada, its services are available exclusively in Ontario and Alberta through provincial regulatory frameworks. The platform offers betting on 29 different sports. It also provides an online casino and poker products alongside its sportsbook. Customer support is available 24/7 through live chat, email, and province-specific phone lines.

Licence, Ownership and Where It Is Legal in Canada

BetMGM's operations in Canada are strictly provincial. In Ontario, it is registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and operates under an agreement with iGaming Ontario. In Alberta, it is licensed by the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC). These are the only two provinces with regulated markets that permit private operators like BetMGM. Other provinces, such as British Columbia and Quebec, run their own lottery-operated sites and do not currently license private sportsbooks. The legal framework stems from the federal legalization of single-event sports betting in 2021, which allowed provinces to offer that form of wagering under their own regulatory frameworks. BetMGM is owned by MGM Resorts International and Entain, which jointly run the BetMGM brand globally.

Regulatory Record

BetMGM has been subject to regulatory action in Ontario. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000. The penalty was for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. According to the AGCO, the violations involved marketing companies contracted by BetMGM offering cash to members of the public in exchange for opening new accounts at public events. The regulator stated this activity contravened standards that prohibit inducements in broad public advertising. This action is a matter of public record and illustrates the AGCO's enforcement of its rules for registered operators.

Sports and Markets

BetMGM offers pre-match and live betting markets across 29 sports. The breadth includes major North American leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, as well as international soccer, tennis, golf, and niche sports. Bettors can access standard wager types including moneylines, point spreads, and totals (over/under). The platform also provides futures markets, player props, and various parlay options. According to its own documentation, BetMGM publishes one of the most detailed sportsbook rulebooks among Ontario operators. This includes fixed pay tables for parlays, which show the payout for combinations from two teams up to fifteen teams.

NHL and CFL Betting

Hockey and Canadian football are prominently featured. Bettors can place wagers on every NHL game, with markets including moneylines, puck lines, totals, and extensive player props such as goals, assists, and shots on goal. Futures bets for the Stanley Cup and awards like the Hart Trophy are available. For the CFL, BetMGM offers spreads, moneylines, and totals on games involving teams like the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders. Live in-play betting is available for both leagues throughout their seasons.

Live Betting, Streaming and Cash Out

Live in-play betting is available across every major sport on the platform. The cash out feature, which allows bettors to settle a wager before an event concludes, is also offered. An 'Edit My Bet' function lets users modify certain pre-match or live bets after placement, though it is not available for Same Game Parlays. Live streaming is present but limited. At observed times, streams were available for some tennis, eSoccer, and table tennis events. Notably, live streams were not observed for major North American leagues like the NHL or NBA. The availability of streams can change and is not guaranteed for all events.

Same Game Parlays and Odds Features

BetMGM offers Same Game Parlays (SGP), allowing multiple bets from a single event to be combined into one ticket. A related SGP+ product may also be available. The platform supports a wide array of parlay types beyond standard straights, including Round Robins and a full British systems catalogue. A key feature is the published pay table for fixed-odds parlays, which discloses the house edge. For example, a two-team parlay with standard -110 legs pays at odds of +260, which is slightly under the true mathematical odds.

Deposits and Withdrawals

BetMGM supports several payment methods for Canadian users. The available options include Visa, Mastercard, Interac e-Transfer, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Instadebit. Withdrawal processing times vary by method. According to its terms, withdrawals via some methods like Visa Fast Funds can occur within 24 hours after an internal review. Other methods, such as Apple Pay and PayPal, may take one to three business days. The operator typically requires withdrawals to be made using the same method used for deposit, where supported.

Mobile App

BetMGM provides dedicated mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices. The apps are free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The sportsbook and casino are offered as two separate applications. The apps provide full functionality, including account management, betting, cashier services, and access to customer support. The mobile-optimized website also offers a comprehensive experience for users who prefer not to download an application. The apps require the user to be physically located within Ontario or Alberta to place bets, using geolocation technology.

Customer Support

Customer support is accessible through multiple channels. BetMGM offers 24/7 live chat directly through its website and mobile apps. Email support is also available. For telephone assistance, the operator provides province-specific phone lines for Ontario and Alberta residents. The help centre on its Ontario subdomain contains extensive documentation, including FAQs and detailed game rules. The support structure is designed to handle queries related to accounts, betting rules, technical issues, and responsible gambling.

Responsible Gambling Tools

As a condition of its provincial licences, BetMGM provides a suite of responsible gambling tools. These allow users to set personal limits on their activity. Available tools include deposit limits, loss limits, wagering limits, and session time reminders. Players can also initiate a temporary time-out from their account or pursue a longer-term self-exclusion. The platform integrates resources like the GameSense program, developed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Links and contact information for provincial help services, such as ConnexOntario, are provided. These tools are mandated by regulators like the AGCO to help mitigate gambling-related harm.

Our Verdict

BetMGM is a legitimate and fully regulated option for sports bettors in Ontario and Alberta. Its strengths include a wide selection of sports, deep markets for hockey and football, and functional features like live betting and cash out. The backing of major corporate parents provides a degree of stability. Its regulatory record includes a notable penalty in Ontario, which potential users should be aware of as part of their assessment. Limitations include the absence of live streaming for major leagues and its availability in only two provinces. For eligible users seeking a comprehensive sportsbook from a known brand, BetMGM represents a viable choice within the regulated Canadian market.

Questions and answers

Is BetMGM legal in my province?

BetMGM is legally operational only in Ontario and Alberta. In Ontario, it is registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario. In Alberta, it is licensed by the Alberta iGaming Corporation. These are the only provinces that have opened their markets to private online sportsbook operators. If you are located in any other Canadian province or territory, you cannot legally create an account or place bets with the regulated BetMGM Canada platform. Residents of other provinces have access only to provincially run lottery sports betting sites or unregulated offshore operators.

Who owns BetMGM?

BetMGM is owned by a joint venture between two large publicly traded companies. The owners are MGM Resorts International, a major casino and resort operator, and Entain, a global sports betting and gaming group. The joint venture was formed in 2018. In Canada, the services are operated by the legal entity BetMGM Canada Inc. This structure means the platform leverages technology and expertise from Entain while utilizing the brand recognition and marketing reach of the MGM Resorts portfolio. The ownership is a matter of public record and is detailed in the company's own terms of service and corporate communications.

How long do BetMGM withdrawals take?

Withdrawal times at BetMGM depend on the payment method you use. According to the operator's published information, some methods like Visa Fast Funds can process within 24 hours after an internal review is complete. For other methods, including Apple Pay and PayPal, the timeframe is typically one to three business days. It is important to note that these are estimates and actual times can be affected by your bank's processing speed and any necessary verification checks. The operator generally requires that withdrawals be sent back to the same method used for the original deposit, provided that method supports withdrawals.

Is there a BetMGM app?

Yes, BetMGM offers dedicated mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices. The apps are free to download from the official Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It is important to note that the sportsbook and the online casino are offered as two separate applications. The apps provide full functionality for betting, account management, and customer support. They require users to be physically located within Ontario or Alberta to place bets, as enforced by geolocation technology. The mobile-optimized website also offers a complete experience for users who prefer not to download a separate application to their device.

What NHL betting does BetMGM offer?

BetMGM offers comprehensive betting markets for the National Hockey League. Bettors can wager on every regular season and playoff game. Available bet types include moneylines, puck lines, game totals, and period-by-period markets. The platform also provides a wide range of player props, such as betting on a specific player to score a goal, record an assist, or achieve a certain number of shots on goal. Futures bets are available year-round, including odds to win the Stanley Cup, conference championships, and division titles. Awards like the Hart Trophy and team win totals are also listed. Live in-play betting is active for all NHL games.

How do I set limits or self-exclude on BetMGM?

You can set limits or self-exclude through the responsible gambling tools within your BetMGM account. These tools are typically found in the account settings or a dedicated responsible gaming section. You can set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits, loss limits, and wagering limits. You can also set reminders for session time. For a temporary break, you can initiate a time-out period, which will lock your account for a set duration you choose. For self-exclusion, you can request a longer-term closure of your account, which for Ontario players is coordinated through the iGaming Ontario self-exclusion registry. The operator is required by its provincial licences to provide and honour these tools.

Bet responsibly. Sports betting is for adults: 19+ in most provinces, 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Set a budget and time limit before you bet and use the deposit limits and self-exclusion tools every licensed sportsbook offers. Help is free and confidential: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600, Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111, Alberta Addiction Helpline 1-866-332-2322, Jeu : aide et référence (Quebec) 1-800-461-0140.