From the twists and turns of a five-day Test match to the frenetic slugfest of the Indian Premier League, there’s plenty of betting opportunities for passionate cricket bettors. However, if you’re new to betting on cricket online, you may well be stumped as to exactly where to begin. Take a look at our list of the best bookmakers for cricket betting to pick out your favourite, sign up and start betting today!
Cricket Formats Explained
There are different formats of cricket, and different teams usually excel in one more than others. It’s important to understand the different variations and which teams are better at which format before you place a bet. Let’s have a look at the main cricket formats you can bet on.
Five-day International Test Matches
Test cricket is the oldest form of the game and is played in the first-class format of the game, meaning games are played over a minimum of three days with two innings per side. Test matches are considered the most complete examination of teams’ and individual’s playing ability and endurance. Not all teams can play test cricket, with only twelve being granted test status by the International Cricket Council. Those teams are England, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan. Betting on test match odds is unlike any other form of cricket, with large gaps of time in between the action. Nonetheless, these gaps will certainly favour those who enjoy live betting.
One-Day Cricket
Also known as Limited Overs Cricket, this game was developed in the 1970s and changed the game as we know it today. One-day cricket is limited to 50 overs per innings with both sides getting just one chance to bat and field each. This means that one-day cricket matches are over far quicker than test matches. One-day cricket can be played both internationally and domestically, with the pinnacle of the format being the ICC Cricket World Cup which is held every four years.
Twenty20 Cricket
Twenty20 (T20) was popularized in the 2000s and, as a shorter form of the game, is a faster and more exciting version of cricket than even the one-day format. It’s played mostly in line with the traditional one-day rules, but with teams limited to bowling just 20 overs each innings instead of 50, games can be over in as little as three hours. T20 cricket is all about making as many runs in as little time as possible, so don’t be surprised if you see several batsmen pick up centuries in no time at all.
First-Class Domestic Championships
These cricket matches are played in the first-class format of the game and are contested by regional, rather than national cricket teams. In England, these teams are divided into counties such as Essex and Yorkshire and play in the English County Championship. Whereas in countries like Australia, states like Queensland and Victoria face off against each other in competitions such as the Sheffield Shield.
What Cricket Tournaments Can I Bet On?
As the sport is played in so many different formats, there are a variety of different tournaments to bet on. From domestic T20 leagues to international test series, let’s get the lowdown on the key cricket competitions available to bettors in Canada.
The Ashes
The Ashes is arguably the most tightly contested and well-known cricket test series in the world. Played between England and Australia every two years since 1882, the two nations take it in turns to host the five-test series. The latest series in 2019 was drawn, but of the 71 different tours only six have finished level so don’t expect the honours to be even too often whenever these two countries meet.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a test series contested between Australia and India usually every two years since 1996. The quality of cricket on display between these two giants of the international game is always first-class, so you can expect the test match odds between these two sides to be tight right from the start. India are the current holders, having won the trophy three times in a row since 2017.
The Cricket World Cup
The Cricket World Cup is played in the one-day international format of the game meaning that innings are limited to just 50 overs. The competition is regularly action-packed and the last edition of the tournament in 2019 didn’t disappoint with England’s overall victory coming in the final ball of a super over. The competition is held every four years so you will have to wait until 2023 for the next Cricket World Cup which will be held in India.
T20 World Cup
T20 is arguably the most popular form of the game and the T20 World Cup is the international pinnacle of the format. Held every four years, the tournament is contested by the best of the best and has been hosted in a variety of countries. From England to India, players will have to adapt to the conditions quickly in order to succeed.
Indian Premier League
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world with millions of fans from across the world taking part in IPL online betting. Held in the T20 format, the IPL is one of the flagship tournaments in the cricket calendar. It attracts the biggest names in world cricket, giving fans at home the chance to watch the best of the best face off against each other in a competition like no other. The IPL is held every year between March and May giving bettors a two month period to make the most of the best IPL cricket betting sites.
Big Bash League
The Big Bash League is Australia’s premier domestic T20 competition, held over the Southern Hemisphere summer between December, January and February every year. In terms of attendance, it ranks alongside the IPL as one of the most popular domestic sports leagues in the world, and with some of the best cricketers from around the globe competing each year, you won’t be short on brilliant cricket action to bet on.
T20 Blast
The T20 Blast is England’s flagship domestic T20 cricket competition and is contested between eighteen different counties held throughout the English summer. The tournament is one of the most tightly contested cricket competitions in the world, with no side dominating for long. So expect the unexpected when you bet on the T20 Blast.
Other high profile domestic T20 competitions include the Pakistan Super League, the Caribbean Premier League and New Zealand’s Super Smash.
How to Get Started at a Top Cricket Bookmaker
Finding the cricket betting site that suits all your needs can be a daunting task. Luckily we at Compare.bet Canada have done the hard work for you by explaining how you can make the right choice. Let’s have a look at how you can find and sign up to the best cricket betting site for you.
Read our reviews
The first step you need to take is to look at our curated list of Canada's top-rated sportsbooks and read our in-depth reviews. These will give you the lowdown on everything from the quality of bonuses on offer to the range of banking methods. We’d always recommend making as considered a choice as possible when signing up to a new site and our reviews can help you do just that.
Sign Up
Once you’ve made your choice, follow our ‘get bonus’ link to begin your sign up process. You may be required to verify your identity before you can place your bets. This is known as a Know Your Customer (KYC) check. It’s a simple process, you’ll only need to provide proof of identity, such as a drivers license or your passport, and proof of address, such as a recent utility bill.
Claim your welcome bonus
Once you’ve signed up to your chosen site, you can then claim your welcome bonus if you wish to. Some bookmakers will require you to make a deposit first, so make your way to the cashier page and deposit your funds with a banking method accepted by that sportsbook. After this, you should be ready to claim your welcome offer!
Place your bets
Once you’ve signed up to your chosen betting site and claimed your welcome bonus, you should be all set. The only thing left to do now is to lay your first bets on some high-class cricketing action.
Cricket Betting Markets
There’s a great range of possible markets bettors can wager on when it comes to cricket, with options ranging from the match result to the method of next dismissal. Let’s have a look at the betting options that you can make the most of at the best cricket betting sites.
Match Result
The match result is the simplest bet you can place at an online cricket betting site as you are simply predicting who you think will win the match. How you come to this decision will depend on the format a game is played in. A team can specialize in one form of the game, such as T20 cricket, but struggle when it comes to test matches. As such, it is best to consult a team’s recent performances and statistics before you bet.
Over/Under Runs
The over/under runs betting option is an excellent alternative for bettors who are struggling to find favourable match result odds. If you have an idea about who you think will win a match, then wagering on how many runs you think a side will score can often be a good way of getting better value out of your bet. If you think one particular team are going to win easily then you can bet on them posting a high score, whereas if you think one side are destined for defeat then you can wager your funds on them making a low score.
Runs at Fall of First Wicket
Predicting how many runs will be made before the fall of the first wicket is a betting option with the potential for some excellent value. If a team set up a weak opening partnership to face a fearsome bowling attack, then you can bet on them to lose their wicket in one of the early overs. But if a team has been particularly strong with the bat in their opening sessions and they’re taking on some out of form bowlers, then you can wager on them making a high opening score. As you are required to pick how many runs will be made before the first batsman gets out, it is important that you look through the stats and previous form of both the batting and bowling sides before you wager.
Method of Dismissal for Next Wicket
There are a number of different ways that you can get out in cricket that go beyond having your stumps knocked over. Batsmen can get out if they are caught, run out, stumped or hit Leg Before Wicket (LBW), as well as if they retire or are sent off. Betting on how the next wicket will fall involves using the live cricket betting markets as well as analyzing the form of the batsmen currently at the crease. If a player has a recent habit of getting out by LBW, for example, then betting on him to do the same against a strong bowling attack can be a solid move. Playing at a site that provides live cricket streams can be useful for this market because you can monitor the recent decision making of a batsman before you bet.
Top Batsman
In the top batsman betting option, you are wagering on which batsman will score the most runs in an innings. A batsman will have to face a minimum of one ball for this bet to stand and there are a minimum number of overs that the batsman has to face in order for the bet to be valid. These will depend on the format the game is played in, but it usually stands at 50 overs for test matches, 20 for ODIs and six T20 games. What’s more, in the case of test matches, only the first innings score counts. So if a batsman posts the best score of the match in the second innings, then that sadly won’t win the bet. A good way to make an educated wager in this market is to research the recent scores that individual batsmen have made in the format you’re wishing to bet on.
Top Bowler
Similar to the top batsman market, here you are betting on which bowler you think will put in a man of the match performance by taking the most wickets. A player will have to have bowled at least one ball for this bet to be valid, and in the case of more than one bowler ending the game with the same number of wickets, then the player who has conceded the fewest amount of runs will be the winner. A player’s bowling average is a good place to start when you’re researching a bet in this market as this will give you the aggregate number of runs they concede between taking wickets. Moreover, if a player has had some recent success in the format you’re betting on, or against a particular batsman, then that can be a good indicator that they could replicate that form.
Tournament or Series Outright
Cricket bets aren’t limited to single matches as you can place outright bets on the result of whole series and tournaments. These can be placed before the competition has started or they can be placed in-play. A lot can happen throughout a series or tournament, however, so your initial prediction may be proved wrong even just a few matches in. As such, we would recommend being cautious if you’re thinking of a laying a bet early on this market. Some solid research into a side’s recent performances in that particular format is a good starting point. Analyzing the quality of any new players is also particularly important in tournaments like the IPL where pre-season player auctions can dramatically influence a team’s performance.
Cricket Betting Tips
Cricket can be a complex sport so making the right choice when it comes to placing your bet can seem quite challenging. That’s why we’ve provided a few solid cricket betting tips that you can use to cut through the confusion.
Familiarize Yourself with the Statistics
A great way to understanding how a team or player might perform in a cricket match is by looking at the statistics. Looking at figures like the top wicket-taker or highest run-scorer in a team can certainly give you an indication as to how a game may play out. But more in-depth figures such as the run economy of a specific bowler or the number of a particular type of dismissals a team has suffered can provide a clearer idea about the tactics likely to be employed in an upcoming match.
Check Form
A particular batsman may have scored an enormous amount of runs at one point in their career, but that will matter little if they have struggled to do the same in recent weeks. That’s why we recommend looking into the recent form of the players and teams you are thinking of wagering on. If a batsman or bowler has performed well in their previous game, then the chances are they will go into the next confident they can do the same.
Understand the Conditions
Understanding the weather and pitch conditions is arguably as important as understanding recent form when it comes to predicting the outcome of a match. Overcast conditions will give the fielding side the advantage as they provide the ideal cover for swing bowlers, while clear sunny skies will allow the batting side to play their shots with more accuracy. Rain delays are also a common feature in cricket, especially in England, with extended breaks in play limiting the amount of game time available. And in the cases of cricket matches abandoned due to rain, the conditions of your bet may stipulate that your wager is voided.
Understanding how a pitch will hold up after several days of play is also very important if you want to bet on cricket, especially the first-class format of the game. A wicket that began the match as fast and bouncy, may suffer wear and tear over the course of the five days with footholes opening up, favouring spin bowlers.
Boost Your Bankroll with a Bonus
When you choose your new cricket betting site, chief amongst your priorities should be the quality of the welcome bonus on offer. There a range of cricket sign-up bonuses that sportsbooks can offer to new customers so let’s have a look at some of the key options available to you
Matched Deposit
By signing up to a matched deposit, bettors can improve the value of their first deposit by a certain percentage. These promotions will often be along the lines of, ‘50% up to the value of $50’, but some sports betting sites can go as high as 200%. These offers will be subject to wagering requirements that you will have to play through in order to claim your funds. As such, we would always recommend studying the small print of a bonus before you invest in it.
Free Bets
Free bets are a very popular cricket bonus, with sportsbooks offering them to existing customers as well as newly signed-up members. Free bets will likely resemble something like, ‘bet $5 get $20 in free bets’, and can often come bundled together with other bonuses such as a matched deposit. They can also be claimed as a standalone promotion, it just depends on what the betting site offers. T&Cs apply to many free bets which means that there will likely be wagering requirements that you will need to play through in order to claim your funds. Nonetheless, free bets can be an excellent bonus that bettors can enjoy at their favourite cricket betting sites.
No Deposit Bonus
Often seen as one of the most sought after promotions, no deposit bonuses are the perfect option for customers looking to claim some free funds without the need to make any prior payment. Despite the free cash on offer, no deposit bonuses are often subject to more stringent wagering requirements. This means that it can take longer to claim your winnings compared to a matched deposit, for example. Regardless, these promotions can be useful for those who want to try out a new online cricket sportsbook or want to get to grips with a market they haven’t tried before.
In-Play Markets
Cricket matches can often run for quite some time with momentum regularly switching at a moment’s notice. As such, it is one of the best sports when it comes to live betting, with bettors from across the world regularly taking advantage of in-play cricket markets.
Live streaming is available at the best online cricket betting sites, meaning that bettors have the opportunity to place more informed bets on the live market. Should they see that a batsman is struggling against a particular bowler, customers can place an in-play bet in the fall of the next wicket market if they think the batsman’s time is up.
Similarly, live streaming is also helpful for those looking to cash out on a bet. Bettors can watch the game and decide to claim their winnings early if they feel the momentum is swinging away from them.
New Cricket Betting Sites
Sportsbook customers looking for a fresh experience in their next sportsbook should consider trying a new sports betting site. There’s a lot that new bookmakers can offer bettors to compete with the more established gambling industry names. Some sites will give away player-friendly welcome bonuses that mean punters don’t have to play through any sizable wagering requirements. New bookmakers can also incorporate an exciting user experience into its site by designing an immersive mobile app and aesthetically engaging site. Some of the best new betting sites will also utilize a variety of innovative promotions, such as free bets or accumulator boosts.
Cricket Betting On the Go
The best cricket betting sites will provide players with native mobile betting apps that they can download to their iOS or Android devices. This means that you can place bets on a variety of cricket markets from wherever you are in the world. And if you’re playing at a site that offers accumulators, cashouts and live streams, you can access these features from your mobile device.
Push notifications can also be enabled that will keep you up to date with all the latest bonuses that site has to offer. Not every site on our list will provide a native mobile app, but each one will at least have a fully optimized mobile site that bettors can access, providing they have a solid internet connection.
Payment Methods
Those looking to bet on the best cricketing action will be pleased to hear that there are a variety of payment methods they can use to both deposit and withdraw their funds. Let’s dive into some of the key options available to you as a customer.
Bank-based Payment Providers
Bettors in Canada can use bank-based payment services, such as Interac and INSTADEBIT. Both of these services require you to have a Canadian bank account, however. When making a deposit, the payment provider takes the funds from your account and passes them onto the sportsbook. This is all done behind the scenes in real-time, so not only do you get instant deposits, but you also benefit from top-notch security measures. Be aware though, not all sportsbooks allow withdrawals via these methods, so check this out before you jump in.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are the most widely accepted payment method available to bettors in Canada with virtually every online cricket betting site supporting the use of them. Cricket fans can deposit and withdraw their funds within a few clicks. Deposits are usually processed instantly, with withdrawal times typically taking anywhere from two to five working days. It’s worth noting that most Canadian betting sites do not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, but your card issuer may when using a credit card for betting.
E-Wallets
E-wallets are fast becoming one of the most widely used payment methods across the world. Customers can sign up to e-wallet companies such as Neteller, Skrill and ecoPayz in a matter of minutes, all free of charge, and reap the benefits of instant deposits and withdrawals in as little as 24 hours. Certain sportsbooks will not accept e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller as a valid form of payment when claiming promotions, so we recommend reading the T&Cs first if you have your heart set on bagging an offer.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are an increasingly popular banking method with online betting customers, with options such as Paysafecard one of the most widely used. A Paysafecard can be bought in any one of the following denominations: $10, $25, $40, $50, $75 or $100. You can use it to deposit your funds at your chosen betting site using just the 16-digit code on the card itself, rather than sharing any personal information like bank details or your email address. Once the value on the Paysafecard has been used up, the card becomes useless meaning that, should it fall into the wrong hands, there is nothing anyone can do with it. In fact, you don’t need a bank account to buy a Paysafecard as one can be bought using cash at one of the many Paysafecard outlets. Unfortunately, as a Paysafecard is a prepaid banking option, you cannot withdraw any funds using it.
Ready to Play?
Betting on cricket has never been easier. Online betting sites provide bettors with an enormous range of betting options for cricket matches taking place right across the year. Make sure you are aware of how pitch and weather variations can affect your bet and always do some research into previous form and statistics before you place your wager. Now the only thing left to do is to compare our list of top cricket betting sites, sign up to your favourite and claim your welcome bonus today!
Your Questions Answered
Absolutely. The beauty of cricket is that is played all over the world, meaning that when it is winter in the UK, cricket is still going on in countries like Australia and New Zealand where summer falls over December to February. The best cricket betting sites will provide punters with markets on some of the biggest international tournaments such as the Australian Big Bash League, The Indian Premier League and a range of international test series.
If you’ve placed a bet on a player in any pre-match market only for that player to then pull out for whatever reason, then your bet will be made void. Some sites may return your original stake if the bet is made void, while others may not. It is therefore important that you check the terms and conditions of a betting site before you sign up. Cricket bets can also be made void if there is a reduction in the number of overs in a match up to a certain amount, if a game is called off due to adverse weather conditions or if there is a change in venue, as well as several others. We would recommend you look up these conditions in the fine print of the sportsbook you have your eyes on.
We would always recommend doing some research into the past form and statistics before you place a bet and there are a number of great sites where you can use to do just that. ESPNcricinfo.com has a fantastic collection of stats divided into all formats of the game, while sites like howstat.com and the International Cricket Council homepage also provide you with an enormous range of figures you can look through at your leisure.
If you feel like your betting is getting out of hand, then there are a number of responsible gambling charities you can get in touch with that provide professional support for problem gamblers in the shape of a 24/7 helpline and live chat service.
If you run into any issues when betting online, such as your funds not appearing in your betting account or your withdrawal not arriving on time, we would recommend contacting the customer support team of your chosen sportsbook and bank. They will be able to let you know whether they have sent or received any transaction and can advise you on any possible solutions. The betting site customer support team will also be able to help you in many other matters beyond financial issues, such as questions about bonus eligibility and what constitutes a win in specific betting markets.
You should take any betting advice you read online with a pinch of salt. It’s always best to consult multiple sources than to believe just one cricket tipster, as this will help you even out any bias or general lack of knowledge. Compare.bet Canada advises every bettor to do plenty of their own research before placing any bet, even if you are using betting tips.
Ball by ball betting is where you place a bet on every ball in the match.You can bet on a variety of things, such as wicket, six, boundary, wide and no-ball, as well as the direction of the cricket ball after it’s been hit. While this gives you plenty of opportunities to land a win, there are also plenty of opportunities to get it wrong, so this type of betting is best left to experienced bettors.
Yes, many top cricket betting sites open a new book for the Ashes as soon as the previous series is finished. However, it can be risky to bet on an event that won’t take place for another two years, so we wouldn’t recommend jumping in too early! You’ll have more of an idea of team formation and performance the closer it gets to the event.
Yes, you can find several online bookmakers that live stream certain cricket matches and tournaments. This complements in-play betting perfectly, giving bettors a better feel for how the game is progressing as they watch it, rather than relying on minute-by-minute text updates.
The expert team at Compare.bet Canada considers a number of factors before recommending any operators. Of course, before we begin, we only consider sites with a valid gambling license. Then, we look at the non-sporting aspects, such as mobile compatibility, customer service, security and withdrawal times. This reduces our list to only honest, trustworthy and reputable sites. The team then reviews special bonuses, promotions, market depth and the odds each site offers, as well as extra features like cash out, live betting, streaming, commentary and stat guides. Once our team has completed its research, we can then confidently compose a list of the top betting sites for cricket for you to choose from.
