I make no apologies for the positive tone of my Rivalry sportsbook review. You could say I’m a little besotted with this particular betting brand, which is easily one of the most unique platforms to play and bet at in Canada.
Join me for an in-depth look at what made me fall head over heels for Rivalry. I’ve tested all areas of the site to offer an impartial review (promise) of the brand, including its customer service, mobile compatibility, and its heady mix of pre-match and in-play sports betting opportunities. I’ll also be answering that all-important question: is Rivalry legal in Canada?
To be honest, my first impressions of Rivalry were nothing short of “wow” inducing. From its kooky visuals to the streamlined design of its desktop and mobile sites, there’s a lot to enjoy right off the bat here.
Listen, this brand is doing something that no other sportsbook in Ontario or elsewhere is doing. Not only does it look a lot different from most sports betting sites, but its setup is unique too, with a strong focus on esports rather than traditional sports like hockey and soccer. I’ll talk more about the actual content and products available at Rivalry in more detail later. But for now, I need to discuss the site’s visuals, which are, in a word, spectacular.
The whole Rivalry brand looks like it’s been lifted from a 1980s video game arcade. Granted, this might not be to everyone’s taste, particularly if you’re looking for a simple, no-frills sports betting experience, but I think it’s a great point of difference that establishes Rivalry as one of the most unique legal web betting brands in Canada.
It’s easy to get distracted by Rivalry’s excellent desktop site. But what’s the story on smaller screens?
Well, I’m pleased to say that Rivalry looks and feels just as good on mobile as it does on desktop. I had no trouble using the site on smartphone browsers like Safari and Chrome, with the brand’s neat visuals beautifully realised on small-screen devices.
And it gets better because way back in 2023, Rivalry launched an official mobile app. Although only available for iOS users (sorry, Android purists), the app is definitely worth considering if you want ready access to your favourite sports and upcoming fixtures on the go.
When testing the Rivalry app, I didn’t spot any obvious omissions versus the desktop/mobile browser version of the service. You can even register for a new Rivalry account directly within the app interface, so everything feels streamlined and user-friendly.
So far, I’ve waxed lyrical about Rivalry’s awesome visuals and stellar small-screen performance. But when it comes to the crunch – i.e., making deposits and withdrawals – does the brand meet my expectations?
Kind of is the best answer I can give here. You see, while there’s nothing inherently wrong with Rivalry’s payment system, there are a couple of problems that might irk Canadian members.
Making a deposit at Rivalry is super easy and incredibly fast, with funds typically available to use in your account instantly. There’s also a decent selection of deposit methods supported, although these may differ depending on where you’re accessing the site (not my words – Rivalry notes this in its help centre).
There are, however, a couple of things I don’t like about the deposit system at Rivalry, which are:
I didn’t encounter any huge issues or sketchy red flags when pulling funds out of my Rivalry account. The process is straightforward, and there’s an OK-ish range of withdrawal options available, too.
However, as with the brand’s deposit process, I did uncover a couple of gripes with the Rivalry withdrawal setup, including:
OK, OK, I may have come down a little hard on Rivalry with my assessment of the brand’s deposit and withdrawal options. But it’s only because all other elements of the site are so solid, so my expectations are sky high.
The main improvement that the brand could make to its banking provision would be the introduction of Interac. Since this is something of a Canadian institution, I would love to see Interac integrated into Rivalry’s payment system. So, fingers crossed, one of the site’s developers is reading this.
Those who’ve read my recent ComeOn review will know that I set a great store by a betting brand’s customer service provisions. That’s why I was eager to discover the level of support available at Rivalry, as this could prove a real difference-maker for my Rivalry sportsbook review.
Happily, I liked what I found. Hit the brand’s well-placed “Customer Support” button and up pops a nifty help hub, wherein you can access live chat support and the brand’s extensive FAQs. There’s a handy search function at the top of the support tab, allowing you to quickly find the information you need.
Beyond this customer support function, I noted that it’s possible to reach out to the Rivalry team via the brand’s social pages. There’s also an email support channel should you need it.
Since Rivalry is only available in Ontario, it struck me as a little odd that French isn’t listed as one of the site’s supported language options. As it stands, Rivalry is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese; it would be great to see French added to the list as well.
Given that betting online in Ontario wasn’t possible until fairly recently, it’s understandable that there will be people reading this Rivalry review who are anxious to learn about the brand’s legal status in Canada. Meanwhile, others may want to know how secure the site is, so let me take care of both of these points below.
Currently, Rivalry is only available in Ontario, where it’s licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The brand received its license from AGCO in April 2022. According to the site’s founders, it has recorded a month-on-month average growth of around 15% since then.
Rivalry is owned and operated by Rivalry Limited, a company registered and regulated on the Isle of Man. The company holds an Isle of Man gaming license and is a member of the Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC).
I found Rivalry to be a super safe place to bet online in June. The brand ticks all the usual boxes I look for, including full SSL encryption, 2FA, and new customer Know Your Customer (KYC) verification checks. There are also some excellent responsible gameplay tools available, including a customisable self-exclusion feature.
What’s more, if you opt to use the Rivalry mobile app on your iOS device, you can set up biometric security features to make your betting experience even more secure. That includes using facial recognition technology to log in to the app and approve deposit and withdrawal transactions.
Rivalry may not look or feel like your average online sportsbook, but it does have a pretty good track record for delivering competitive odds and diverse betting markets across many of Canada’s favourite sports, including hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, and many more besides.
Tapping into Rivalry’s primary “Sports” hub, I was pleased to see a “Popular” tab, complete with in-play and upcoming fixtures from across some of Canada’s most cherished sports. You can also create a “Favourites” list to stay abreast of the teams, sports, and players you care most about, which is always a welcome feature.
While Rivalry doesn’t offer the very best odds of any sportsbook I’ve used in Canada, I was impressed with the variety of betting lines available. Plus, the brand’s “Live” sports area is extensive, incorporating both traditional sports fixtures alongside in-play esports events.
It’s safe to say that Rivalry has won me over with its quirky visuals and ease of use, two key elements that help it stand out from the crowd in Canada’s online gaming landscape. Of course, the brand won’t be for everyone, but if you’ve been searching for an alternative place to bet that couldn’t be any different from the typical sportsbook you’re likely to come across, I think you’ll really like what Rivalry has to offer.
That’s not to say all’s 100% perfect here, so I think it’s worth circling back through some of the gripes I had with the Rivalry sportsbook before making your decision. For starters, the brand could look to improve the overall flexibility of its deposit and withdrawal options; even adding Interac would be a good start. Then, they could work to up their odds game. But if you can get past that, it’s not a bad offering at all.
“Sort of” is probably the best answer I can give to that question. You see, Rivalry is only available in one Canadian territory, Ontario, so I hesitate to say that it’s legal in Canada as a whole. Nevertheless, if you’re physically located in Ontario, you will have no problem accessing this awesome site.
It’s no scam – far from it, in fact. Rivalry has built a solid reputation for reliability and player safety, earning a respectable TrustPilot score and receiving excellent ratings for its iOS mobile app.
Absolutely. I’m happy to vouch for Rivalry as one of the best legal betting sites in Canada, particularly if you’re into hockey, soccer, and basketball.
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