Canadian Football League Betting

  

Canadian Football League betting is something bettors can enjoy from the comfort of their homes through the use of online sportsbooks. In this guide, we will list these reputable sports betting sites. We will also share with you the various betting options that are available. Another important factor to consider looking at is the structure of. Get the best football picks and NFL football picks from the industry's most formidable sports handicapping team. Football picks that will keep you winning all season. Get NFL football picks and free football picks from the top guys in the industry. NFL football picks for football betting are offered every day with a complete analysis.

CFL Odds - Canadian Football League Lines

As a Canadian resident, I've seen my fair share of CFL games, and I can honestly tell you that the CFL as a product does not get the respect it deserves. The CFL is fast-paced, high-scoring and much more watchable than the product the NFL is putting out on a weekly basis. Sure, the players are smaller and 'not as skilled', but they are still professional athletes who dedicate 95 percent of their time to playing the sport they love and trying to win a championship for their fanbase.

The casual football fan may not know this, but the CFL has been a building block for several players to make a name for themselves before moving on to the big stage. Guys like Warren Moon, Doug Flutie, Joe Theismann, and Cameron Wake are all CFL alumni, and each one of them (except Wake – he's still active) have achieved amazing accomplishments. Moon was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, Theismann led the Redskins to a Super Bowl and captured the MVP award, and Flutie was named the No. 1 CFL player in the history of the league.

So, let this be a lesson to all of you who don't give the CFL a second look. The CFL should be taken seriously, and so should the fact that it can be very profitable if you know how to properly wager on it.

Betting on the CFL Moneyline

As a concept, this is the simplest wager you can make on any game in any sport (except soccer). The moneyline betting option allows you to place a bet on the team you think is simply going to win the game. In the CFL, this bet includes overtime, but there have been a few instances where the game finishes tied at the end of OT and both sides get their money refunded.

Example:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers: +175 ML
Edmonton Eskimos: -155 ML

The moneyline betting odds correlate to the listed point spread. In this example, the Eskimos are the favorites, and you must wager $155 dollars to turn a profit of $100. If you are a homer or love betting on the underdog, the Bombers will return you $175 for every $100 you wager on them if they pull off the mini upset. If the game happens to end in a tie, bettors with moneyline tickets on either side will be refunded.

Betting on the Point Spread

Regardless of if I am talking about the NFL, CFL, NCAA, Arena League or upcoming XFL, the point spread is the most popular wagering option for bettors who love to test football betting skills. The point spread is an indication of which team is the favorite and underdog heading into their matchup.

A negative betting line such as -6.5 indicates that the team is expected to not only win the game outright but win by seven or more points. On the flip side, positive betting lines such as +6.5 indicate a team's underdog status. Not only is the underdog expected to lose, but they are expected to lose by at least a touchdown.

When looking over betting options for the CFL, you will come across lines that look like the following:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers +6.5 (-110)
Edmonton Eskimos: -6.5 (-110)

Depending on which side you select, your team must 'cover the spread' in order for your wager to be graded a winner.

If you choose to take Winnipeg +6.5, you will be a winner if either of these three scenarios play out. The first being Winnipeg wins the game outright by any score. The second being Winnipeg losing by six of fewer points, thus 'covering' the +6.5-point spread. And the third being if the game finishes as a tie.

If you decided to wager on the Eskimos as -6.5-point favorites, they must win by seven or more points in order for wager to be graded as a winner.

One thing to keep in mind when betting on the point spread is that the point spread moves up or down depending on how much action a certain side is receiving. If you are able to lock in your bet at -6.5 and the line goes down to -4.5, your ticket would only be a winner if your team won by seven or more points. If they won by five, they would have beat the closing spread of -4.5, but your odds are locked in from the time your ticket is printed or you click place bet.

Betting Game Totals

Despite being classified as the same sport, the NFL and CFL couldn't be more different. The CFL is played on a much bigger field and awards points for punts that aren't returned out of the end zone. The CFL also plays with just three downs, which makes it much more inducive to passing plays. Because of this, totals are typically higher than those in the NFL with the exception of a few games.

The CFL also features college-like overtime rules where both teams possess the ball at least once. None of that hybrid NFL nonsense. This means that OT could account for one, two, or possibly five scoring plays, which helps 'over' bettors.

Let's look at an example of a game total:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers/Edmonton Eskimos – 'Over' 58.5 -110, 'Under' 58.5 -110
If you are to bet the 'over' 58.5, there must be a total of 59 points or more scored in the game in order for you to be a winner. If there are 58 or fewer points scored, then those who bet on the 'under' will cash their tickets.

If totals are whole numbers such as 55 or 60 and the total happens to land exactly on the number, your bet, regardless whether it's an 'over' or 'under' bet, will be graded as a push and your money will be returned to you.

Advanced CFL Wagering Options

Since the CFL is only a nine-team league, the advanced betting options are slim. There are, however, a few options that can prove profit to handicappers who take the time to understand team's weakness and strengths. It's almost impossible to do this with 32 NFL teams and more than 100 college programs.

Team totals

This works almost exactly like the game total, but it revolves around one team instead of both. With the 'team total' wagering option, you are essentially betting on whether you think Team X will score more or less than the line given out by the sportsbooks.

Example:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Team Total: 'Over' 33.5 -110, 'Under' 33.5 -110.

In this case you have two options. You can bet them to score 34 or more points or 33 or fewer. The decision is ultimately up to you. This bet also includes overtime, unless otherwise stated in the betting rules provided by your sportsbook of choice.

First-Half Spread

The 'first-half spread' betting option is a trickier form of betting the full-game point spread. This option takes into account the score at halftime in order to determine a winner. The first-half spread is usually half of what the full-game spread is.

Example:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers +3.5 1H
Edmonton Eskimos -3.5 1H

Depending on what side you are on, the score going into half time is what is used to determine a winner. If the score is 24-20 in favor of the Eskimos, bettors holding an Edmonton -3.51H ticket are winners since they were able to cover the -3.5- first-half spread.

As I mentioned above, the first-half point spread is typically half of what the full-game line is.

Here is a list of our other betting lines and odds pages.
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Founded in 1958, the Canadian Football league is the second oldest professional football league in North America. It’s popularity as a sport in Canada is immense, second only to the National Hockey League when it comes to home grown sport.

It receives television coverage from TSN, RSN and ESPN and with this level of popularity comes an interest not just in the competitive aspects of the sport, but also in the betting opportunities football presents to gamblers. From June until November gamblers have the chance to enjoy a bet on just about every aspect of the sport.

Football

The prevalence of online bookmaking sites means it is now easier than ever to have a punt on football. Thanks to the rather complicated nature of Canadian gambling laws, most of these sites operate offshore meaning betting on football is legal and Canadians can enjoy a bet without fear of legal recourse. Almost all sites accept Canadian customers and will welcome Canadian Dollars (CAD) when playing the CFL betting odds.

Best CFL Betting Sites

  • Sports Interaction
    Bet Now
    New customers only. Min $20 deposit. Max $200 CAD bonus. Rollover is 5x deposit + bonus.
  • Betway
    Bet Now
    New Canada customers only. Opt-in required. Bonus based on 1st deposit of $10+. You will get a 100% matched bonus up to $200 based on your first deposit. Full terms apply.
  • Bet365
    Up to $200 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365
    Min deposit $10. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
  • Bodog
    Bet Now
    This bonus can only be redeemed on your FIRST DEPOSIT. Rollover is 5X Sports 5X Horses 40X Casino.
  • Spin Palace Sports
    Bet Now
    1st Deposit - Free Bet up to $200 • New customers only • Min deposit $10 • 5x wagering at odds of 1.3+ to unlock free bet • Terms apply

How to bet on CFL

The Canadian Football League (CFL) always has to take second billing to the NFL across the border but football fans and serious bettors know not to ignore it. There is some quality sport on show across Canada and in terms of betting, there is definite value to be had.

In order to succeed, you need to know how the bookies work in terms of the betting markets offered and it’s also important to find the right sportsbook to play with. Here, then, is our guide to getting the most out of CFL betting.

What is the betting line?

A line is a term that is used to describe any market that the bookmakers have opened for an event. When playing the CFL betting odds, this could refer to match result, overall Grey Cup winner or any of the prop bet markets that are made available for CFL matches through the season.

Canadian

A sportsbook will assess the upcoming games in the league, consider some pricing for the matches and it’s then over to their customers to decide whether to take them on.

CFL money line odds

A money line in CFL simply refers to the match result and betting on the winner of the game. In this market, there are only two possible options with a win for either side so it’s a simple stake and a good place to start for anyone who is new to the sport.

Matches can be tied at the end of the four quarters but the sportsbooks in question will simply carry the bet into overtime and whoever wins at the end of the game will deliver the profit.

CFL Point Spread Odds

A point spread involves handicapping the stronger team in a CFL game and it, therefore, means that they have to win by a certain number of points for your bet to deliver. It’s a way of getting more value out of a money line market where we have a clear favourite.

For example, the sportsbook may give the weaker team a 10.5 point head start which means that the favourites need to win the match by 11 points or more. As an alternative to backing those favourites, you can stake on the weaker side and get a return if they win the game or lose it by ten points or less.

CFL Over / Under Odds

An Over / Under Bet refers to the number of points that are scored in a Canadian Football League game. Bookmakers will set a line, which may start at 20.5 points and the lines continue in an upward direction. The job of the bettor is then to stake Over or Under one of those lines.

The bet usually applies to the total number of combined points but with some sportsbooks it may be possible to find two additional markets for each team.

CFL Futures and Props

Futures markets can relate to season-long bets and for the CFL, the most popular of these will involve the overall winner of the Grey Cup. This market will open before the start of the new season and there will be additional options for the winner of each of the two divisions.

A prop bet is defined as a bet that doesn’t necessarily affect the result of the game. For example, you could bet on a player to make over a certain number of yards or on a Quarterback to throw over a set distance. Futures bets are widely available while props can be restricted to certain sportsbooks.

CFL Betting Tips

Now we know all about the available markets it’s time to look for some winning bets. As a part of your betting strategy, you should be studying form of the two teams involved and any results from recent head to head matches.

This will help you in the CFL Money Line markets and also on the point spread, overs and unders and more. There are many websites online that will list all of the relevant statistics that you need and this is the place to start. Aside from that basic approach, these additional tips are designed to help turn the odds in your favour.

Money / Bankroll Management

If you’re going to bet on any sport successfully then you’ll need to learn about Bankroll Management and the CFL is no exception here. The bankroll is the amount of money that you set aside to play with and from there, you need to manage it effectively.

The figure is generally determined by how much you are ultimately prepared to lose and once set, you should not go over it under any circumstances. Work out your budget and consider the sums carefully as the bankroll is a crucial part of your overall CFL betting strategy.

Money Line Underdogs

The underdogs in a money line bet are the team that carry the longer of the two prices. It’s easy to dismiss them from your thinking but in reality, they could just offer some value here. The key is to consider those statistics and to see how their form is in the lead up to the game.

It’s also possible that the favourites have injury problems, are travelling away from home and they may also have a poor record in head to head games against these opponents. CFL money line markets throw up surprises in most weeks so consider the facts and indicators before writing off those underdogs.

Betting Against the Public

The concept of betting against the public is based on a similar theory to backing the underdog. It’s also referred to as a Contrarian Strategy or Fading the Public and it involves identifying where the majority of public money is being staked and then going against that trend.

The theory relates to the figures that show that the public will always bet on the obvious option and that they will take home field advantage and favouritism over reasoned thought. Once again, do those stats and they will indicate instances when you can prove the public wrong.

Bet365 CFL Betting

While some bookmakers remain quiet in regards to CFL betting trends and opportunities, there are a dedicated bunch of operators who continue to provide CFL lines and among the best of these is Bet365.

They are known through the betting world as one of the pioneers of in-play markets but for ante post options, they are strong too. Bet365 offers a perfect mix of competitive prices and a wide choice of markets and while there are others to try, this is a great place with which to find the latest CFL lines and kick off your CFL betting journey.

Football Betting Sites

We have looked at all the major betting sites to find the best options available for Canadians wanting to bet on the Canadian Football League. With so many different bookmakers providing betting lines for CFL on their sportsbooks, it is easy to get lost amongst the multitude of options for those looking to wager on CFL games online. But we’ve narrowed it down to four sites that excel in different areas of CFL betting; Best for Stats, Best Range of Markets, Best odds and Best for Accessibility.

Bodog – Best for Statistics

Bodog is one of the must trusted sites out there. It has a line on Canadian Football befitting a site of it’s renown. It offers betting on individual matches as well as season future betting. You can bet on the outcome of each match or the spread. Bodog’s odds are competitive and they provide a full line on in-play betting. The site has an excellent stats and preview section. The statistics section gives a detailed rundown on injuries, recent form, head-to-head and betting trends, while the preview compiles all of this information into an easy to read guide. It’s a great feature full of every statistic you will need to get the edge.

As you would expect from a Canadian site, Canadian Dollars are accepted and there are plenty of deposit and withdrawal methods available for Canadian customers. Bodog is a very good site for customers looking to make a quick bet on the more general aspects of the game.

Sports Interaction – Best Choice of Markets

Sports interaction is another major player in the world of online betting sites, offering markets on not only CFL, but also Soccer, Golf and the NBA. It too has a strong reputation and a full line on CFL. The advantage Sportsinteraction has over Bodog is the number of markets available on any individual game. In addition to the outcome and spread you can also bet on first half or second half moneyline, first half/second half over/under, first half/second half outcome, the first team to score, first scoring play, race to ten points, and the half time/full-time result. There is also the full range of stats, previews and betting trends. The CFL betting trends are presented in graph form which makes it even easier to get a quick overview.

As the name suggests, this is a very interactive site. There is a very nice section where other customers can provide tips on the games and, through a twitter link, you can keep in contact with other customers throughout the game. There are many in-play options available also. Canadian players are suitably catered for into the bargain. Sports interaction has a great line on Canadian Football League betting. There are many markets available at competitive odds and the site is fully interactive. If you want a more in-depth look at CFL betting then you can’t go wrong with Sportsinteraction.

Pinnaclesports.com – Best for Odds

Pinnacle sports boasts of having the best odds available online and they are certainly up there when it comes to Canadian Football League. Pinnacle sports don’t offer introductory bonuses but invest in more attractive prices for the customer. They will blow their competitors when it comes to getting the best odds. This is the site’s main selling point as the list of markets available on CFL is a bit limited. You can bet on outcomes as well as halves, quarters and overs/unders, the moneyline and the spread as well as the eventual Grey Cup winner, but there isn’t a great deal more than this available. The site does have some other nice features though.

Like Sports Interaction you can view what other people have a bet, enabling you to see where the money is going on any particular event. There is also a full range of live betting and a mobile site to allow you to bet on the go. Pinnacle Sports offers excellent odds on CFL, but the lack of markets available lets the site down somewhat. If you are the type of person who simply wants the best odds available then Pinnaclesports.com is the site for you.

Bwin.com – Best for Accessibility

Bwin is another Canadian-friendly site with an extensive book for CFL online betting. It has a range of bets that rivals and almost exceeds that of Sportsinteraction. Moneyline, spread, winning margin, over and under and both half betting is all accounted for as are all future markets. Betting in-play and mobile betting are covered. One of the best features of this site is its accessibility. If you want to bet a parlay on all the favourites on a particular match day, one-click will pull of these teams together and put it into your bet slip. The stats section is also excellent. Full information on the head to heads, recent form, offensive and defensive standings and players stats are presented in a very user-friendly format.

While the odds may not be as generous as Pinnaclesports, they are competitive enough. The site is suitable for Canadian customers with many banking options available and Canadian Dollars accepted. Bwin is a great option for customers looking to bet on CFL online. The range of bets available is exceptional with a very good live betting portal adding to the excitement. It is easy to negotiate and simple to access all markets and stats.

As you can see the Canadian Football League is well represented in online betting. Whether you want great odds, a full range of bets, easy access or a site with the full quota of statistics, there is a site for you.

CFL Betting FAQs

How many teams play in the CFL?

As of the start of the 2020-21 campaign, there will be nine teams competing in the Canadian Football League.

Do people really bet on the CFL?

Yes, they certainly do. The CFL is extremely popular in Canada and has thousands of new followers each year. As it is the premium American football league in the country, it has the very best talent in the country and abroad representing the nine teams.

Is it safe to bet on the CFL?

It’s absolutely safe to bet on the CFL. In fact, the popularity of the league has meant that many of the top-tier sportsbook providers are now offering odds on the league and moneyline bets on the games as they come up throughout the season.

Canadian Football League Related People

When did the CFL start?

Football

Well, the CFL was formed many years ago in Montreal. Although the league wasn’t properly established and didn’t really gain any traction for some years, the league was founded back in 1958.

What is the name of the trophy given to the winning team in the CFL?

Much like in the NFL, there is a coveted trophy which is awarded to the best team that year. In the case of the CFL, the cup is known as the Grey Cup.

Which is the most successful team in the CFL?

Well, it isn’t actually down to just one team. There are two teams that have managed to lift the Grey Cup, which is the Edmonton Football Team and The Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Where can I watch the CFL?

It really depends on where the individual is residing. Though, for Canadian citizens, they can catch the games on TSN and RDS.

Why are there so few states in the CFL?

Firstly, because there are only so many provinces in the country and even then, there are sometimes two teams representing the province. It’s a huge country and most of the population resides in the South of the country, which is where the team’s cities are located.

Canadian Football League Salaries

Does the CFL have a Draft like the NFL?

Yes. There is an annual CFL Draft, which usually takes place in May and consists of 8 rounds, which is normally aired via TSN.

Will there be more teams in the CFL soon?

Canadian Football League Scores

It’s always hard to answer this question, as there are constantly teams trying to enter the league. However, getting the funding together and ensuring everything is in place for the season has been a struggle in the past. Either way, no doubt, over time, more teams will join the CFL.