Ice hockey is unlikely to be one of the first sports you think of when it comes to betting. However, dating back to the 1800s, it is undoubtedly one of the most historical and widespread in North America, Russia, Scandinavia, Austria and Germany. This is why ice hockey bookmakers receive increasing interest from fans of the sport in these regions.
The leading bookies offer competitive odds, a host of ice hockey markets and live streaming services. On this page, we have listed nothing but the very best ice hockey betting sites, using our strict criteria to rank each one. Stay tuned.
Ice Hockey Best Odds Bookies
Whether you are looking to bet on our Stanley Cup betting predictions, Olympic Games, or Champions Hockey League, the best bookies have all bases covered. They also feature appealing odds, making betting on matches worthwhile. With modern betting features and a wide variety of pre-match, live and outright markets, it is the following that we rank as the best ice hockey betting sites.
How to Choose the Best Online Ice Hockey Betting Site?
Certain factors help to separate the top bookies from the rest. First, ensure that the odds on offer are competitive. Meanwhile, a wide range of markets should be available, not only match winners. Bookies should cover tournaments away from the NHL, including the Champions Hockey League and World Championship.
Live streaming and cash out are features to look out for too. Some bookies will specialise in ice hockey, targeting North American and Scandinavian punters, where the sport has a large following. Elsewhere, betting sites offer designated hockey promotions.
Odds
The odds ultimately determine how much you make from successful bets. Punters will wish to know that the risk of betting is worth the potential reward. Most operators don’t see ice hockey as a leading sport, potentially meaning that prices will not be as appealing compared to others, such as football and tennis.
However, bookies that target North Americans, like the best Canadian sportsbooks, will likely come with greater odds, closer to those found in football.
Markets
The number of pre-match markets will depend on the bookie. In some cases, only moneyline and totals markets are available. However, leading ice hockey bookmakers offer more options, including Period 3-Way, Asian Handicaps and props. Examples of prop bets include first goalscorer, most team penalty minutes and total team shots on target. Following our ice hockey betting predictions, you can find picks at the best odds for these markets.
Competitions
It is crucial to select a site that covers the tournaments in which you have an active interest. Most will accept bets on national hockey leagues, including the NHL, KHL, SHL, and SM Liiga.
Meanwhile, Continental leagues, such as the Champions Hockey League, the IIHF World Championship, the Olympics and IIHF Continental Cup, are also found. The best ice hockey betting sites will cover many, if not all, of the competitions discussed, alongside several local ones. Remember that Bookmakers.bet releases seasonal picks for National Hockey League, such as our detailed NHL All-Star Game predictions.
Live Betting
In-play markets make up a significant proportion of daily ice hockey betting options. Available as soon as the puck drops, live ice hockey odds constantly change based on what is happening on the ice. Most markets remain open right up until the game ends.
However, some will often be suspended, while it takes a few seconds for bets to be accepted, with odds potentially altering during this time.
Features
Additional features add to the ice hockey betting experience. Many bookies offer different types of cash out, including full, partial and automatic. For example, if you have one selection left on your accumulator, you could use cash out to guarantee your profit.
Unfortunately, bet builder and edit bet features are rarely accessible. However, live streaming may well be, with the function being both entertaining and helpful, especially when it comes to in-play betting.
What Types of Markets Do Ice Hockey Bookmakers Offer?
With Ice Hockey Bookmakers, you can place doubles, trebles, trixies, patents and yankees. Read more for the offered markets and build your winning ice hockey betting strategies, either you want to go safe and place a single or take more risk with an accumulator.
- 1 Moneyline/Match Result: The simplest form of betting is to predict the result of an individual game. A moneyline regular time market will have three possible outcomes (Home Win, Away Win and Draw). Meanwhile, a 2-selection moneyline comes with just two, Team A win or Team B win, whether in normal time or overtime.
- 2 Goals: It is also possible to bet on goals scored during a game. Options here include total goals, team totals, both teams to score and race to X goals. The best ice hockey betting sites will provide multiple alternative lines.
- 3 Handicaps: In ice hockey, there is a favourite and an outsider. As such, bookies give a deficit and surplus to level the playing field. For example, you could bet on the Toronto Maple Leafs to beat the Boston Bruins at -2 goals.
- 4 Asian Markets: With Asian bets, one team is given a virtual head start. Handicaps are given based on form, meaning that the favourite must win by more goals for your wager to be successful.
- 5 Period Markets: Over/under markets are popular, too, whether total goals or team goals. Meanwhile, bets can be placed on both teams to score at least one goal and double chance.
- 6 Player Props: Available with selected bookies, player props include scoring a goal, player vs player and over/under for assists.
- 7 Correct Score: Here, punters are betting on the exact score come the end of regular time. Whether 2-1, 3-2 or 4-4, odds are available on all possible scorelines.
- 8 Specials: If you want to enhance the odds, you may wish to bet on the margin of victory or the winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy.
- 9 Outrights: The most common antepost bets include competition winners, such as the Stanley Cup, group/division winner and regular season winner. Meanwhile, outright player markets are also found, such as the leading goalscorer.
How to Find Interesting Offers on Ice Hockey
Players can take advantage of offers along the way. From deposit bonuses and free bets to cashback offers and price boosts, such promotions make betting on hockey all the more attractive. With ice hockey free bets bookmakers, it is the following promos that you are likely to come across:
⏩ Risk-Free Bets: If your opening bet is unsuccessful, your stake will be refunded up to a certain amount. For example, a £10 risk-free bet is the choice of a welcome offer for many bookies today.
⏩ Combo Boosts: Placing a winning multiple has never been so rewarding. This is because some bookies offer combo boosts, up to a massive 77% in some cases. The boost level will depend on the number of selections on your bet.
⏩ Enhanced Odds: Ahead of selected ice hockey games, enhanced odds, also known as price boosts, may be on offer. For example, the odds of Canada beating Russia at the Olympics could rise from 2/1 to 3/1.
⏩ Acca Insurance: Given the popularity of accumulator bets, it is no surprise that many betting sites feature insurance promotions. If just one of your picks lets you down, your stake will be refunded, either in cash or bonus funds.
Which is the Best Ice Hockey Bookmaker Online?
Throughout this page, we have discussed the different markets, features and offers available with the best ice hockey bookies. The top sites cover a range of competitions, not simply the NHL. Meanwhile, those that feature competitive odds, cash out, live streaming, and many live betting options are likely to appeal in particular.
For this reason, we recommend the bookies listed on this page, coming with a range of player and team props. However, a number of other high-scoring ice hockey betting sites are available, listed on this page.
When considering which bookie to sign up with, consider the ice hockey markets, odds, offers, and additional features available. It will quickly become clear as to which brands specialise in ice hockey.
Ice hockey has long been popular in both the United States and Canada. Meanwhile, the sport has a significant following in Europe, especially in Scandinavia, Russia, Austria and Czech Republic.
Ice hockey punters can take advantage of free bets, ACCA insurance, enhanced odds and other betting offers. Terms and conditions surround them all, which will likely affect their appeal.
There are several top ice hockey betting sites to choose from today. They stand out due to their ice hockey coverage, promotions and features, among other factors.
Moneyline, totals, handicaps, correct score, player props and specials are among the most popular ice hockey betting markets. Pre-match, in-play and outright options are available on most betting sites.
It is essential to know that you are taking advantage of nothing but the best ice hockey betting odds. A quick odds comparison task shows which bookies deliver in this area, with some standing out from the crowd.