Why NHL Wagering is Canadian’s Favorite Form of Winter Sports Betting

Canadians love their winter sports. It is clear to anyone who visits or stays in Canada for a winter.

When the weather turns frosty and the heavy snowfalls begin, many Canadians amuse themselves by becoming immersed in their favourite sports, whether it is snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, or skiing. But one winter sport stands out for Canadians when it comes to wagering, and that is hockey.

NHL betting Canada is hugely popular, with millions of Canadians wagering on the biggest hockey league on the planet. But what has led to this form of betting becoming so popular?

Let's look at the key reasons why betting on the NHL is Canada's favourite form of winter sports betting.

Hockey is Canada’s Game

The first and most obvious reason for the success of NHL betting is that Canadians simply love hockey. Ice hockey is believed to have been invented and developed in Canada in the 19^th century, and ever since then, it has been a game played and watched by millions of Canadians. It is Canada's national winter sport and a game that most Canadians grew up watching and playing. Naturally, the biggest hockey league in the world is going to attract the attention of Canadian bettors.

Popular Local Franchises

The NHL is the biggest hockey league in the world, attracting the best players from around the world. And it is centred on the American and Canadian markets, so naturally, Canadians take an interest. There are Canadian NHL hockey teams running across the length of the country, including the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens. That is seven of the biggest markets in the country, with a huge portion of the country's population inhabiting these markets. Having a major team near them incentivizes many Canadians to want to wager on the NHL.

World-Famous Canadian Players

It isn’t just the teams that are Canadian. It is also the players. The NHL is dominated by Canadian players, with 41.4% of the league being Canadian in 2022-23, which was easily the most of any nation. Many of the best players in the NHL hail from Canada.

Guys like Connor McDavid, Nathan Mackinnon, Cale Makar, Mitch Marner, and more are all Canadian nationals.

This is something that makes cheering for and betting on the NHL fun, as Canadians love to watch their fellow countrymen on the ice. It is a proud national pastime, and having so many Canadians in the league makes a big difference.

Lack of Competition

Another reason for the success of NHL betting across Canada is that there really isn't much other winter sports competition in terms of popularity. While skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are all incredible ways to enjoy the winter, the leagues that exist for these winter sports simply can't rival the NHL. The NHL is watched by millions across the country, and you can wager on it on every sports betting site in the country. For the other sports, the excitement around them is significant, but the leagues are much less viewed and many sportsbooks don't cover or promote their events. This makes the NHL one of the few truly popular winter sports betting options.

Tons of Ways to Bet on the Game

As we mentioned, betting on the NHL is hugely popular. There are so many different ways to bet on the game that more Canadians than ever are joining up and trying their luck with hockey betting. There are dozens of available sportsbooks for Canadians, each offering something unique to gamblers. There are mobile sports betting apps, different NHL betting markets, and fun features that add a lot to the gambling experience. It is a fully developed winter sport for wagering.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nurlana Alasgarli           

Content Specialist

Nurlana Alasgarli is a professional copywriter with more than 6 years of creative writing experience. Having lived and experienced all over the world, there are many writing genres that Nurlana follows, including adventure, outdoor and winter sports. Nurlana brings life to content creation, captivating her readers.