Licensed by Ontario's Alcohol and Gaming Commission, Northstar Bets is a locally-focused betting site that puts Canadian players first. The site provides a unique mix of sports betting, insights and content in one all-round package. In this Northstar Bets Sportsbook review, Gambling.com will take a closer look at the brand.
Having partnered with the TorStar Corporation - an organisation that boasts 150+ papers including the Toronto Star - Northstar Bets offers something truly different. The brand supplements its sportsbook offering with gambling news to help Ontarians make more informed betting choices.
Owned by Northstar Gaming, Northstar Bets is one of the new betting sites in Canada. The site offers ON-focused betting options on a huge range of sports plus coverage and insights from the Northstar Bets content team. As a locally-run business, Northstar gives back to the community by keeping Ontario bettors' entertainment dollar in the province.
The group that operates Northstar Bets, Northstar Gaming, is an ON-based media and news company with over 128 years of experience in Canada. As such, it couldn't start on a stronger footing in terms of reputation, and only loses a point because it's such a new gaming platform.
For the most part, the odds offered on sports like football, basketball and golf are pretty much on par with the rest of the market. Where Northstar can sometimes hold an advantage on the competition is in the moneyline prices the site offers on ice hockey wagers.
It doesn't come more noteworthy than providing your own sports betting news and insight in conjunction with the Toronto Star. The betting environment at Northstar is underpinned by a sense of community, with users encouraged to engage with the vast array of wagering content created by the website to better inform their choices.
Northstar covers over 30 leagues and competitions, with available sports including football, basketball, golf and more. Additionally, the site provides a huge range of markets to sports bettors, with options such as totals and futures complimented by parlays and live betting.
Northstar accepts a wide range of banking options for both top-ups and withdrawals. Website users will have Visa, Mastercard, iDebit, Interac and bank transfer available to them, with all withdrawals being processed within a maximum of five days.
Recently launched, the NorthStar betting app is available on iOS and Android devices. Easy to use, this mobile app offers betting options on all major sports. A very interesting point is the “Sports Insights” feature where bettors can find experts' advice and analysis.
Unlike many of the best Canadian betting sites, Northstar doesn't offer a loyalty program at this time. That said, we'd be surprised if it doesn't add one as its customer base grows.
For security and trust, Northstar is up there with the very best Ontario online sportsbooks. The site is licensed and regulated by the AGC and encourages customers to play responsibly by upholding strict responsible gaming standards.
While it may not offer the same depth of betting options as 888sports or the odds quality of Royal Panda, Northstar is unique in its approach to sports wagering. By offering insights and event coverage, the site provides an experience that's tailor made for ON customers.
With in-depth ice hockey coverage and top odds on the NHL, Northstar certainly knows what ON customers look for in a sportsbook. The site offers live betting on virtually every play, creating an immersive experience that's supported by a wealth of sports betting insight.
Northstar offers NHL, MLB, NFL and NBA betting as well as a range of markets on most major international competitions. Some of the most popular wagering options on the site include:
Northstar performs perfectly well on mobile, with fast loading times and no hint of lag while betting in-play. However, the Northstar Bets app which includes both Sports and Casino options is a great addition that clearly improves players' experience.
Creating a Northstar Gaming account is a quick and easy process that can be completed from anywhere in Canada. In order to bet, however, customers will need to be 19+ and located in Ontario. The latter of these rules will be enforced using geolocation software.
Northstar supports a range of banking options including Visa and Mastercard. All deposits are fee-free and processed instantly, while cash outs will be issued within a maximum of five days.
Northstar offers markets on over 30 of the biggest sports in North America, including NFL betting. While golf, tennis and other international sports also feature, the most popular legal sports in Ontario include:
With Ontario being the first Canadian province to regulate online betting, Northstar was among the first brands to apply for a license. With no locally-licensed sportsbooks available elsewhere in Canada, customers in other provinces must instead use off-shore operators.
Northstar holds a partnership with the Toronto Star for sports content purposes. The site also recently signed a deal with Kambi Group PLC to power its sportsbook platform.
Ontario became the first Canadian province to offer legal single game sports wagering in April. As such, ON-based operators may now be granted a local license providing they pass the province's security criteria and commit to encouraging customers to play responsibly.
As part of its licensing conditions, Northstar must ensure customers play responsibly. To do this, the site provides a responsible gaming page that offers links and advice as well as instructions on how to apply account restrictions by contacting customer support.
Although Northstar still has a way to go in terms of developing its loyalty program, the site remains a top choice for Ontarians. With a selection of locally-focused bets, content and insights, the brand is perfectly positioned to cater for Ontarian residents - and all on a platform that's licensed and regulated in the province.
Yes. Northstar Gaming is licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. As such, Northstar offers a legal gaming platform that encourages all customers to play responsibly.
Northstar Bets first launched in the Ontario market in May 2022. Prior to making its online debut, the company behind it, Northstar Gaming, reached a marketing services arrangement with the Toronto Star to offer users exclusive sports betting news and insights.
If you're looking for a community-driven user experience with a firm focus on the Ontario market, Northstar Bets is where it's at. The site offers a great range of local news and content to help customers maximise their betting edge.
Northstar Bets uses geolocation software to confirm the whereabouts of its customers. So long as you're located within the borders of the province, you shouldn't have any trouble logging into your account and placing a bet online.
Yes, NFL betting is available at Northstar Bets. Customers will be able to choose from a wide range of betting options including moneylines, futures and parlays, all of which are priced at competitive odds versus the rest of the market.
No. There's currently no rewards program available at Northstar Bets. However, with the site still being relatively new in the Ontario market, we wouldn't be surprised if one was added in the future when more customers have registered.
The minimum age for online sports betting in Ontario is 19+. At Northstar Bets, customers may be asked to complete age verification checks before they can make larger withdrawals from their sports betting account.
Northstar Bets supports several major banking options for both deposits and cash outs. Customers will be able to use Visa, Mastercard, iDebit, Interac and direct bank transfer to move their money both to and from the site.