Beyond Sports: Where Canadians Can Bet on Politics, TV Shows & Weather

How Novelty Bets Differ From Sports Bets

Most Canadians are used to betting on sports, where the outcome is decided by on-field performance and measurable stats. You can analyze team form, player injuries, or historical matchups to make an informed wager.

Novelty bets, on the other hand, usually don’t follow the same patterns. They cover things like politics, award shows, reality TV, or even the weather, events where the outcome isn’t based on athletic competition. For example, you might bet on who wins the next federal election, which actor takes home an Oscar, or whether it will snow on Christmas Day.

Because novelty markets aren’t tied to sporting data, they’re generally harder to research in a traditional sense. While you might look at polls before betting on politics or consider award season buzz for the Oscars, these bets often rely more on speculation, public sentiment, or sheer unpredictability. That makes them fun, unique, and often better suited for low-stakes, casual play rather than a strategy-driven betting approach.

The Top 3 Novelty Markets

Political betting markets vary from site to site, but you’ll usually see the widest range of options in countries that are heading into elections.

During election years, sportsbooks often expand their coverage to include everything from leadership races to referendum outcomes. Outside of elections, the number of available markets really depends on how much emphasis a sportsbook places on politics. Some only offer major international events, while others go much deeper with ongoing specials.

Sports Interaction is our top choice for political betting in Canada thanks to the sheer variety of markets on offer. They cover elections at multiple levels of government, from mayoral races to presidential and prime ministerial contests, and even list specials on sitting leaders around the world. For example, bettors can currently wager on whether Donald Trump will be impeached before 2029.

Odds are competitive, and what really sets SIA apart is its focus on Canadian politics. While most sportsbooks stick to international events, SIA consistently posts markets on Canadian elections, giving local bettors options that are rare to find elsewhere.

Bet365 ranks second on our list for political betting, largely because of its impressive global market selection. Bettors can find options well beyond simple election outcomes, including wagers on which party will secure the most seats and a wide range of specials tied to major international events. Each market is usually broken down by all available candidates, giving you plenty of flexibility to match your predictions.

The main drawback is the lack of Canadian-focused markets. While Bet365 excels at covering U.S. and European politics, Canadian bettors looking to wager on federal or provincial outcomes may find their options limited here.

888Sport takes our third spot for politics betting, thanks to its solid coverage of elections across Europe and North America. One standout feature is the ability to wager on outcomes years in advance, alongside expanded markets for elections that are just around the corner.

Odds are competitive with other major sportsbooks in Canada, and 888Sport occasionally posts unique markets you won’t find elsewhere. However, like many operators, they fall short when it comes to Canadian politics, with no regular listings for federal or provincial races.

Entertainment markets are some of the most popular novelty bets in Canada, giving fans the chance to wager on outcomes tied to pop culture and major award shows. Bettors can find odds on everything from TV competition finalists and Nobel Prize laureates to Academy Award winners.

For example, Survivor fans often like betting on who will make it to the finale, while movie buffs may try to predict the next Oscar winner for Best Picture well before the ceremony. These wagers aren’t meant to be taken too seriously, they’re fun, light-hearted markets designed to add an extra layer of excitement to already high-profile events.

Bwin is our top pick for entertainment betting, offering the widest coverage of pop culture events among Canadian sportsbooks. Bettors can wager on everything from major award shows and reality TV competitions to magazine awards and even international contests like Eurovision.

The odds on entertainment markets are strong, often providing solid value even for favourites. What we particularly like is the variety within each event, you’re not limited to just outright winners, but can also explore multiple side markets for added flexibility. The only drawback is that some outright winner markets don’t always include the full list of contestants, which slightly limits your options.

LeoVegas takes second place for entertainment betting thanks to its broad selection of markets on current pop culture events. From award shows to reality TV competitions, they cover trending topics while also listing markets a year or two in advance, giving bettors the chance to lock in early predictions.

While their odds aren’t quite as competitive as Bwin’s, they still offer good value overall. The only downside is that the majority of markets lean heavily toward European and UK-based events, with fewer options tied to North American pop culture.

BetVictor rounds out our top three for entertainment betting, offering markets on some of the most noteworthy global events. Odds are competitive compared to other Canadian sportsbooks, and most contests are listed as straightforward betting lines, making it simple for newcomers to get involved.

The downside is that BetVictor typically posts entertainment markets only as the events draw closer, rather than far in advance. Their coverage could also be stronger when it comes to mainstream events and the variety of markets available, but they remain a solid option for big-ticket pop culture moments.

Weather betting is arguably the quirkiest market you’ll find at any sportsbook, and that’s exactly what makes it appealing. Instead of focusing on stats, form, or serious analysis, these wagers are designed to be fun and unpredictable.

For many novelty bettors, that’s the draw. Whether it’s betting on a white Christmas in Toronto or guessing which city will hit 30°C first in summer, weather markets strip away the seriousness of traditional sports betting and add a playful twist to the experience.

It’s important to remember that novelty betting is still gambling. These markets are designed to add excitement to events outside of traditional sports and can be a lot of fun if approached responsibly. Fans of reality TV shows can engage with their favorite contestants throughout the season, while political markets can make election season a bit more entertaining.

The key is moderation, novelty bets are meant to be enjoyable, not stressful. Only wager what you’re willing to lose, so you can keep the fun alive without letting it negatively affect your experience of the events themselves.