The Canadian sports betting market has exploded in recent years, becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the nation’s gaming industry. The legalization of single-event sports wagering in 2021 unlocked a wave of new opportunities, and provincial markets have quickly flourished. Today, annual sports wagers in Canada are a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with projections exceeding $2 billion by 2025. Amid this boom, the Canadian Football League (CFL) – long a staple of Canada’s sports culture – is playing a pivotal role. CFL fans, known for their passion and loyalty, are increasingly engaging through bets on their beloved teams, effectively fueling the industry’s growth and adding a uniquely Canadian flavor to the betting landscape.

In fact, BetFury’s homepage prominently features CFL games alongside other major sports and casino games, reflecting how fan enthusiasm is driving demand. By tapping into this fan base, platforms like BetFury leverage the excitement of three-down football to attract bettors. This symbiotic relationship – where fans get new interactive outlets and sportsbooks see heightened activity – underscores the influence CFL supporters wield in Canada’s sports betting rise.

The Rise of Sports Betting in Canada

For decades, Canadians were limited to parlay bets through provincial lotteries. In 2021, that changed: Parliament legalized single-game sports betting, and provinces swiftly launched regulated markets. Billions of dollars that once flowed to offshore books quickly began shifting into legal channels. By 2025, Canada’s legal sports betting revenue is projected to reach about US$2.29 billion.

Professional sports leagues actively supported this shift, viewing betting as a way to enhance fan engagement. “Sports betting gives fans another exciting way to engage with the sports they love,” the CFL and other major leagues said in a joint letter to the federal government. With regulated sportsbooks now operating, fans indeed have more skin in the game than ever. Nearly half of Canadian adults have already placed sports wagers in some form.

Canadian Sports Betting & CFL – Key Stats (2025)

CFL Fans: A Passionate Betting Community

Though smaller than the NFL, the league boasts a very loyal fan base. Now those fans are embracing legal wagering as a new way to support their teams. “Responsible sports wagering is another way for our league to further its connection with our fans,” said Tyler Mazereeuw, Chief Commercial Officer of the league. By placing a wager on a CFL game, supporters become more invested in the action, whether it’s a regular-season clash or the Grey Cup final.

The league has leaned into this engagement by partnering with sportsbooks and data firms to enrich the fan experience. In one recent deal, an official betting partner’s branding now appears on league sidelines and broadcasts in Ontario. Such collaborations have “opened the doors to new sports wagering and entertainment opportunities for CFL fans,” according to the league’s revenue chief, who is “thrilled for the possibilities ahead”. The message is clear: the CFL sees it as a way to supercharge fan interest and attract new followers, particularly younger adults accustomed to interactive sports entertainment.

In‑Play Betting and the Second-Screen Experience

A defining trend in sports gambling is the explosion of in-play (live) wagering. Modern bettors aren’t just wagering before kickoff; they’re betting as the action unfolds. Already, more than half of all bets are placed during games. This shift is fueled by technology and fans’ appetite for real-time interaction. From predicting the next scoring drive to betting on a 50-yard field goal attempt, viewers can engage with every moment. With 95% of wagers now made via mobile apps, many viewers watch with a phone in hand – a true second-screen experience.

Live wagering has been a game-changer for engagement, turning viewers into participants. It keeps audiences locked in, as every play presents a new opportunity to win (or lose). Younger fans especially gravitate to this fast-paced, interactive style of participation, which aligns with the on-demand, gamified experiences they enjoy elsewhere. For the league, the rise of in-play wagering offers a prime opportunity to hook the next generation of fans.

CFL vs. NFL: Betting Engagement and Demographics

Polls show 44% of Canadian football fans prefer the NFL versus 36% who favor the Canadian league, so Canada’s home league often operates in the NFL’s shadow. Nevertheless, it has carved out its own thriving community of bettors – a dedicated niche. A seasoned fan might leverage insider knowledge of a team’s roster or local conditions to find value in bets that casual NFL-focused bettors overlook. This passionate, informed style of wagering is helping the league hold its ground in a crowded marketplace.

Demographics underscore the differences. Younger audiences tilt toward the NFL: among Canadian men 18–34, about 26% follow the NFL closely, versus only 11% for the CFL. Because this age group is most active in online betting, the league hopes that fresh wagering options will help bridge the gap. The league is using promotions and fantasy-style contests to rejuvenate its fan base.

Key Trends Shaping the Market

• Legalization and Market Expansion: The post-2021 move to legal single-game betting unleashed rapid growth. Provinces launching regulated platforms have drawn in millions of new bettors and major investments, firmly entrenching sports wagering in Canada’s sports culture.
  
• Integration into the Fan Experience: Wagering is increasingly woven into how fans consume sports. Television broadcasts now routinely mention odds and props, and sportsbook sponsorships are visible at arenas and stadiums. This blending of wagering content with traditional sports entertainment keeps fans more engaged.
  
• Live Betting and Data-Driven Interaction: In-play wagering’s popularity is pushing operators to offer hundreds of live markets per game. Advanced data feeds update odds instantly on everything from next-play outcomes to player prop bets, creating a highly interactive, data-rich experience.

Challenges and Considerations

• Responsible Gambling & Ad Scrutiny: The boom in sports gambling has heightened concerns about problem betting behavior and the barrage of advertisements. Many are calling for restraint – a recent poll found 68% of Canadians support banning athletes and celebrities from betting ads. The industry faces pressure to promote responsibly, fund player education, and protect vulnerable groups, especially young people.
  
• Competition from Bigger Leagues: Canada’s domestic league competes with larger sports leagues for attention and wagering dollars. Younger fans often favor the NFL’s flashy brand, so it must leverage its uniquely Canadian appeal and innovate with CFL-specific offerings to avoid being overshadowed.
  
• Maintaining Game Integrity: As wagering grows, safeguarding the integrity of the game is paramount. The CFL has enacted an anti-match-fixing policy to educate players and staff, but ongoing vigilance is needed. Monitoring wagering patterns and enforcing penalties for any irregularities will be essential to preserve trust.

The rise of sports betting in Canada has many facets, but one thing is clear: CFL fans have become a driving force in this new era. Their enthusiasm – paired with the league’s embrace of wagering – has helped create a vibrant, Canadian-grown wagering scene. In a country where sports loyalty runs deep, the ability to wager on the home team or during a live game adds a fresh layer of excitement. For many, a wager is more than just money on the line – it’s a way to express team pride and connect more deeply with the sport they love. This cycle of fan engagement will continue to power the industry forward.