Stake Sportsbook in Canada: Markets, Bet Types and How It Works
By StakeReferralCode.ca Editorial Team · Updated
The Stake sportsbook is the sports betting side of Stake.com. You pick an event, choose a market (who wins, the total, a player prop and so on), add the selection to your bet slip, enter a stake and confirm. If the selection wins, the return is your stake multiplied by the odds. Canadian players can bet in CAD or crypto, and the sportsbook covers the leagues most Canadians follow, from the NHL and CFL to the NBA, MLB, MLS and international soccer.
Below: what's in the sportsbook, how the common bet types work, and how a bet moves from slip to settlement. No picks, no promised edge.
Who can use the Stake.com sportsbook
As of November 2026, Stake.com is not available in Ontario or Alberta. Ontario is a prohibited jurisdiction in Stake.com's terms, and Alberta now has its own regulated market, so Albertans should use the Alberta-licensed site instead. In the other provinces and territories, Stake.com accepts players under a Curaçao licence, which is a legal grey area rather than provincial regulation. Our guide to whether Stake is legal in Canada covers the details. Rules can change, so check Stake's terms and your province before depositing.
A quick bit of Canadian context
Single-event sports betting became legal in Canada when Bill C-218 (the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act) took effect on August 27, 2021; before that, provincial lotteries could only offer parlays. Province-run sites such as PlayNow in BC or Loto-Québec are the regulated alternative to offshore books like Stake.com.
What sports and markets you'll find
The sportsbook menu lists sports down the side, then leagues, then individual events. Within each event you'll see a list of markets. Coverage changes with the season, but the categories Canadians tend to look for include:
| Sport | Examples of Canadian interest | Typical markets |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey | NHL: Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Senators, Jets, Flames, Oilers, Canucks | Moneyline, puck line, total goals, period bets, player points |
| Football | CFL (Grey Cup), NFL | Moneyline, spread, totals, quarter/half bets |
| Basketball | NBA: Toronto Raptors | Moneyline, spread, totals, player props |
| Baseball | MLB: Toronto Blue Jays | Moneyline, run line, totals, innings bets |
| Soccer | MLS: Toronto FC, CF Montréal, Vancouver Whitecaps; European leagues | 1X2 (win/draw/win), both teams to score, totals |
| Combat sports | UFC and boxing | Fight winner, method of victory, round betting |
| Esports | Major titles and tournaments | Match winner, map winner, handicaps |
Market depth varies a lot: a big NHL game usually has far more options than a lower-tier soccer match.
The main bet types, explained
Moneyline (match winner)
You pick who wins. In soccer this is usually a three-way market (home, draw, away) because draws are common. In hockey, check whether the market includes overtime and shootouts or covers regulation time only, since that changes what counts as a win.
Spread, puck line and run line
These give one side a head start. A puck line of −1.5 means your team must win by two or more goals; +1.5 means they can lose by one and your bet still wins. Run lines in baseball and point spreads in football and basketball work the same way.
Totals (over/under)
You bet on whether the combined score goes over or under a set number. Half-point lines (5.5 goals, for example) mean there's no tie. Whole-number lines can "push", in which case the stake is usually returned.
Props
Props focus on something specific, like a player's points or a fight's method of victory. They often carry a bigger built-in margin.
Parlays (multis)
A parlay combines several selections into one bet. Every leg has to win, and the odds multiply together. That's why payouts look big and why parlays lose more often. Our parlay betting guide shows the maths.
Live (in-play) bets
Many events can be bet on after they start, with odds updating as the game unfolds. Markets are often suspended briefly after goals, penalties or other key moments.
How a bet works, step by step
- Choose an event and a market. Click the odds next to your selection. It drops into the bet slip.
- Check the odds format. Stake lets you choose how odds are displayed. Decimal is common in Canada; American (+150 / −200) is also widely used. Not sure what the numbers mean? Start with our guide on how to read betting odds.
- Enter your stake. The slip shows your potential return. Make sure the currency (CAD or a specific crypto) is the one you intended.
- Watch for odds changes. Prices can move between clicking and confirming, especially in live betting. Read the slip before you accept a changed price.
- Confirm and check "My Bets". Your open bets stay listed until they're settled.
- Settlement. Once the result is official, winnings are credited to your balance. Read the market rules for edge cases such as postponed games, overtime, or a player who doesn't take part.
A simple worked example
Say you place $20 on a hypothetical hockey moneyline priced at 2.40 in decimal odds.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Stake | $20.00 |
| Odds (decimal, hypothetical) | 2.40 |
| Total return if it wins | $20 × 2.40 = $48.00 |
| Profit if it wins | $48.00 − $20.00 = $28.00 |
| Result if it loses | −$20.00 |
The odds are only an example to show the calculation. Real prices change constantly.
Features worth understanding before you bet
- Cash-out (where offered). Some bets may show an option to settle early for a set amount. That amount reflects the current odds, not a bonus, so it's a way to change your risk, not a way to "lock in" extra value.
- Bet limits. Maximum stakes can vary by market and event. If a stake is rejected or reduced, it's usually a limit issue.
- Market rules. Every sport has its own settlement rules. Five minutes reading them can save an argument later.
- Responsible gambling tools. Deposit limits, loss and wager limits, cooling-off and self-exclusion are in your account settings. Set them before your first bet, not after a bad night.
FAQ
Can I bet in Canadian dollars on the Stake sportsbook?
Yes. Stake.com supports CAD for Canadians as well as crypto. Deposit and withdrawal options vary by account and can change, so check the Wallet for what's available to you.
What odds format does the Stake sportsbook use?
You can switch the display format in your settings. Decimal and American are the two formats most Canadians use, and they show the same price in different ways.
Is there a guaranteed way to win on the sportsbook?
No. Every price includes a margin for the bookmaker, and no system removes it. Understanding odds and managing your bankroll help you bet sensibly, not win for sure.
Conclusion
The Stake sportsbook works like most modern books: pick a market, check the odds, confirm the stake, and wait for settlement. The difference between a careful bettor and a careless one is mostly preparation: knowing the bet types, reading the odds format and setting limits in advance. If you're in an eligible province and decide to open an account, you can sign up with code SHIMA using the Claim button on this page. Our homepage explains the welcome offer and how the code works.
Related Guides
- Ready to sign up? Start with the our Stake referral code guide.
- How to Read Betting Odds: Decimal, American, Implied
- Puck Line, Spreads and Totals Explained (Examples)
- Sports Betting Bankroll Management: Simple Rules
- All Stake guides for Canada
Play responsibly. Set deposit and loss limits in your Stake account settings, and use cooling-off or self-exclusion if you need a break. If gambling is causing problems, free confidential help is available in every province. For example, BC: 1-888-795-6111, Quebec: 1-800-461-0140, Manitoba: 1-800-463-1554. See our responsible gambling page for every provincial helpline and support organisation.
19+ (18+ in AB, MB, QC). Not available in Ontario or Alberta. Gambling can be addictive – play responsibly.