Compare n' Bet™
Compare n' Bet™
Canadian-focused sportsbook and online casino operating in Ontario and selected other Canadian provinces. Owned by Playtech plc, one of the world's largest gaming technology companies.
This review is an independent editorial opinion based on publicly available information and industry reporting. It is not written by, endorsed by, or affiliated with NorthStar Bets or Playtech plc. See our methodology for our full review process.
NorthStar Bets is a Canadian-focused sportsbook and online casino brand now owned by Playtech plc, one of the largest gaming technology companies globally. The operator launched in Ontario in 2022 following the province's transition to a regulated competitive online gambling market under iGaming Ontario, with subsequent expansion into other Canadian provinces where regulated sports betting is available. The product reflects Playtech's significant platform investment: a polished app experience, deep market coverage, and competitive promotional activity. For Ontarian bettors and other Canadian users in regulated provinces, NorthStar Bets is a credible option alongside the larger brands like FanDuel Canada, DraftKings Canada, BetMGM Canada, and theScore Bet. Scale and market share remain smaller than those global-brand competitors, which translates to less marketing visibility but also often more accessible promotional value.
Best for: Ontario bettors seeking a mid-tier operator alternative to FanDuel/DraftKings/BetMGM, Canadian users in regulated provinces who want a Playtech-backed operator, users who appreciate a smaller operator with attentive customer service.
Consider alternatives if: You want the most polished and deepest product (FanDuel and DraftKings lead in Canada); you want the widest promotional activity; you're outside Ontario and other Canadian regulated provinces.
Playtech corporate backing provides genuine platform investment. Playtech is one of the world's largest gaming technology providers, supplying platform and software infrastructure to operators globally. Behind NorthStar Bets sits that technology depth, compliance infrastructure, and operational scale.
NHL coverage reflects Canadian sporting priority. Hockey markets get deep treatment with prop markets on Canadian teams (Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, Senators, Jets) and strong Stanley Cup futures markets.
Regulatory compliance is strong. iGaming Ontario is one of the most rigorous regulatory frameworks globally for online sports betting, and NorthStar Bets operates under that framework alongside all licensed Ontario operators.
Product polish is solid. The mobile app works smoothly with competitive UX that reflects Playtech's platform investment, though it sits in the mid-tier rather than top-tier of Ontario operators.
Promotional activity is active with welcome offers, ongoing boosts on major Canadian sports events, and event-specific promotions around Stanley Cup, NFL playoffs, and major sporting calendar events.
Customer service scale reflects the smaller operator structure with reasonable response times and direct communication channels.
Market share in Canada is small compared to FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and theScore Bet. These major brands dominate Canadian market visibility, promotional budget, and user acquisition, which means NorthStar Bets operates as a smaller challenger rather than a primary-consideration option for many Canadian bettors.
Pricing on main markets is rarely the sharpest. NorthStar Bets prices recreational-friendly consistent with most Canadian operators, meaning line-shopping users will typically find better prices through careful shopping across multiple Canadian books.
Product depth trails the market leaders. Prop markets, same-game parlay variety, and niche markets all trail FanDuel Canada and DraftKings Canada coverage.
Regional coverage is limited to Ontario and a handful of other Canadian provinces. Users in provinces without regulated online sports betting cannot access NorthStar Bets.
Brand recognition is low outside regulated Canadian markets. NorthStar Bets doesn't have the consumer visibility of FanDuel, DraftKings, or BetMGM in Canada, which affects both user acquisition and existing-user confidence.
Account limiting follows standard industry patterns. Playtech group operations apply risk management consistent with global best practice, which includes limiting of winning users.
Live betting depth and live streaming coverage are functional but don't match top-tier Canadian competitors.
NorthStar Bets operates under iGaming Ontario (iGO) regulatory framework, which is the competitive Ontario online gambling regulator that launched the province's regulated market in April 2022. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) provides operational regulation. Expansion into other Canadian provinces tracks regulated market availability on a province-by-province basis.
Age requirement is 19+ in Ontario and most Canadian provinces (18+ in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec for certain products). KYC and AML procedures follow Canadian regulatory standards.
NHL coverage is the signature product segment for Canadian users: regular season, playoffs, Stanley Cup, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Calder Trophy, and extensive player prop markets (goals, assists, saves, shots, plus/minus).
NFL coverage: regular season, playoffs, Super Bowl, AFC/NFC Championship, player props (passing yards, rushing yards, touchdowns, receiving yards).
NBA coverage: regular season, playoffs, Finals, Finals MVP, player props (points, rebounds, assists, threes).
MLB coverage: regular season, playoffs, World Series, player props.
MLS coverage: regular season, playoffs, MLS Cup, with particular emphasis on Toronto FC, Montreal CF, and Vancouver Whitecaps.
European soccer: Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A with solid market depth for Canadian soccer fans.
Additional sports: UFC, boxing, tennis (Grand Slams and tour events), golf (PGA, majors, LIV), WNBA, CFL, NCAA football and basketball (subject to Ontario restrictions on certain NCAA markets).
Same Game Parlay for multi-leg same-event construction. Cash-out available on qualifying bets. Live betting markets update during events.
Canadian payment methods include debit card, Interac e-Transfer, Interac Online, online banking, PayPal, and bank transfer. Cryptocurrency is not currently supported under Ontario regulatory framework.
Withdrawal processing typically same-day for Interac e-Transfer and 1 to 3 business days for bank transfer. First withdrawal triggers identity verification.
Responsible gambling tools are comprehensive and iGaming Ontario-mandated: deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, self-exclusion (iGO self-exclusion program and provincial self-exclusion registries), reality checks, and problem gambling resource links.
If you're an Ontario bettor looking for a mid-tier operator alternative to the dominant US-parented brands (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM), NorthStar Bets provides that option with Playtech corporate backing.
If you're in another Canadian province with regulated sports betting and want access to a Playtech-backed operator, NorthStar Bets may be available depending on provincial regulatory status.
If you appreciate a smaller operator with more attentive customer service and don't need the largest promotional budget or deepest market menu, NorthStar Bets fits that preference.
NorthStar Bets is not the right primary pick if you want the most polished product, deepest market coverage, or widest promotional activity in Canada. FanDuel Canada and DraftKings Canada lead in those dimensions by significant margins.
NorthStar Bets is displayed alongside every other licensed sportsbook available in Ontario and other Canadian regulated provinces on the live odds page. NorthStar Bets' price appears next to FanDuel Canada, DraftKings Canada, BetMGM Canada, theScore Bet, and other regional operators with the best-available price highlighted. NorthStar Bets rarely leads on main-market pricing but is occasionally competitive on NHL markets where Canadian operator focus creates pricing attention.
For Ontario and Canadian users running a multi-book approach (covered in the line shopping guide), NorthStar Bets fits as a secondary account alongside FanDuel Canada or DraftKings Canada, providing promotional variety and occasional best-price opportunities.
FanDuel Review (Canadian operation alongside US) · DraftKings Review (Canadian operation) · BetMGM Review (Canadian operation) · bet365 Review (Canadian operations) · All sportsbook reviews
This review is for informational purposes only and is not betting advice. Sportsbook regulations, product structure, regional availability, and commercial terms change over time; check NorthStar Bets directly for current offerings in your jurisdiction. Compare n' Bet may earn commissions from affiliate relationships with platforms reviewed on this site (see the methodology page for full disclosure). NorthStar Bets and all related marks are the property of Playtech plc. Compare n' Bet is an independent comparison platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NorthStar Bets or Playtech. Sports betting involves financial risk. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700 (US), visit connexontario.ca (Ontario), problemgambling.ca (Canada), or ncpgambling.org.