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Manitoba’s betting regulations may be a bit tricky to understand. There are some grey areas, leading people to be unsure about what they can and can’t do.
This guide’s goal is to explain how sports betting regulations work in Manitoba, and give you an overview of the available betting sites in the province. So, let’s dive in!
Top Manitoba Sports Betting Sites in 2022
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Manitoba?
Sports betting is legal in Manitoba and is regulated by the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation. This entity forms part of the provincial government and oversees the operations of lotteries, tribal casinos, and online gambling.
Manitoba residents can also access online betting sportsbooks that offer a comprehensive range of betting options.
For instance, Manitoba is a member of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), along with Alberta and Saskatchewan.
This membership allows players to benefit from the online games available on the WCLC site.
Moreover, Manitoba also partnered with British Columbia to provide its residents access to PlayNow. Players can legally buy online lottery tickets through this site, play at live and online casinos, and bet on sports.
Manitoba Sports Betting Sites
Through Manitoba’s involvement with the WCLC, players can also bet on Sport Select. The site, referred to as Pro-Line in the region, offers basketball, soccer, hockey, and golf events.
Likewise, Manitobans can also bet through Play Now sports section.
PlayNow is a betting site that offers lotteries, instant wins, online casino, live casino, and sports betting.
PlayNow is the go-to licensed site in this province due to providing comprehensive coverage of sports and extra features.
This online sportsbook allows players to place their picks in twenty-five sports and offers live betting options.
Players residing in Manitoba can also access grey market offshore operators. The provincial government doesn’t regulate these sports betting websites, meaning they don’t need to follow the same regulations as local operators.
Nevertheless, the offshore sportsbooks we recommend are regulated by international gambling authorities and have received operating licenses in different countries.
The offshore betting sites we recommend are safe, secure, and fair, following all the necessary responsible gaming protocols.
Which Are the Best Manitoba Sportsbooks?
The answer to this question will vary, depending on what the bettor is looking for.
As explained above, Manitobans can opt for one of the locally regulated options: Sport Select and PlayNow.
Between these two options, PlayNow takes the lead due to a series of reasons:
- Broader sports events coverage
- Better user experience and easy navigation
- Comprehensive FAQ section
Another significant advantage of PlayNow compared to Sport Select is that players can complete their bets online.
At Sport Select, players must select their picks on the website and then visit a retail WCLC location to validate their bet. On the other hand, PlayNow allows players to complete the process online.
PlayNow is comparable to some offshore sportsbooks. However, several international operators tend to be better than PlayNow.
For instance, Bet365 and 888Sport are internationally renowned betting websites that have been industry leaders for a long time.
These sportsbooks offer a better gaming experience than PlayNow and overall better coverage of sports and leagues.
Moreover, offshore operators have to remain competitive, which leads to continuous improvement of the features they offer.
Differences Between Manitoba Betting Sites
To sum it up, here are the main differences between betting sites available in Manitoba.
| Betting Site | Sports | Live Betting | Regulated in Manitoba |
| Sport Select | 4 | No | Yes |
| PlayNow | 25 | Yes | Yes |
| Offshore Sportsbooks | 25+ | Yes | No |
Out of the three options, we feel that offshore sportsbooks are the best option for bettors in Manitoba. They’re safe and secure, and they also have a wider coverage of sports and casino games.
Here’s a list of the best offshore betting sites currently available for Manitobans.
Are There Any Betting Apps for Manitoba?
Players who want to use a mobile app to wager on their favourite sports will have to use an offshore operator. Unfortunately, neither PlayNow nor Sport Select offer a specific mobile app.
This means players must use an internet browser on their mobile devices to access these websites.
This lack of a mobile app isn’t a significant problem since the websites also work on smaller screens. However, it might hinder the betting experience.
Players who prefer to download and install a sports betting mobile app can pick one of the sportsbooks suggested in our guide.
These brands offer the possibility of downloading the app for Android and iOS, providing an excellent betting experience.
How to Play at a Manitoba Betting Site?
If you’re new to Manitoba betting sites, you may be wondering what steps to take to play. Firstly, you’ll have to register an account. The process is very similar for all the available options, including PlayNow, Sport Select, and offshore sportsbooks.
To register an account, you have to:
- Visit the website you wish to play at.
- Click on the registration button in the top right corner of the screen.
- Fill in the registration form with your personal information.
- Tick any necessary checkboxes.
- Complete the registration and start betting!
Once your account is verified, you can deposit via one of the available payment methods and place your first bet.
Online Casinos in Manitoba
Just like sports betting, online casinos are also available in Manitoba!
PlayNow has over 400 casino games, most of which are slots.
There is also a good selection of table games, including blackjack, baccarat, poker, and roulette.
Manitobans can also pick one of the several offshore online casinos that operate in the province. The game selection tends to be broader than what PlayNow offers, mainly when live casino games are concerned.
Moreover, the offshore casinos may sometimes offer exclusive and original games not found on other sites.
The online casinos below are some of the best currently available for Manitobans, so we recommend you give them a try.
FAQs
What is the legal age to gamble in Manitoba?
Residents in Manitoba must be at least 18 years old to legally gamble in retail or online locations.
Gambling sites will require players to verify their identity and age before allowing them to wager.
Are there land-based casinos in Manitoba?
There are several retail gambling locations in Manitoba. These often offer casino games, sports betting, and horse racing.
Excellent options include Assiniboia Downs, Sand Hills Casino, McPhillips Station Casino, and Club Regent Casino.
Can I find online lotteries in Manitoba?
Yes, both PlayNow and the WCLC site offer the possibility to buy tickets online for the many lotteries in the province and the country. Daily Grand, Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, and Western Max are just some examples of online lotteries available.
