Know My Gambling Limits
(Sports Betting)
Sports betting, particularly online, comes with different risks than other forms of gambling. Since the legalization of single-event sports betting in August 2021, the dramatic increase in the promotion of sports betting websites has led to a corresponding increase in the popularity of this type of betting in Manitoba.
Previously, only parlay bets were legal in Canada. With a parlay bet, two or more bets are combined into a single bet, which means there’s a waiting period between placing the bet and the outcome. Single-event and in-play bets — where multiple bets are placed in a single game — are more immediate and fast-paced. When making these types of bets, bettors may get caught up in the excitement of the game and gamble more money than they can afford to lose. Sports betting may also present an illusion of control, with bettors believing their sports knowledge can help them win.
The risks that come with this increasingly accessible and rapidly expanding form of gambling prompt a need for public education. Manitobans need to know the risks associated with sports betting and how to participate responsibly to minimize their risk of experiencing betting-related harms.
The LGCA’s research found that, while some sports bettors use a few lower-risk strategies, most do not have defined strategies. It also found a trend in sports bettors choosing to use certain apps or websites based on promotional offers, such as getting bonus credits in exchange for making a minimum deposit.
The belief in myths associated with sports betting is also prevalent — Canadian data shows sports bettors are more likely to believe gambling-related myths and more likely to experience gambling-related harms. LGCA data also shows some sports bettors believe they are more likely to win money if they know about the sport, with younger bettors more likely to hold this belief.
The LGCA’s sports-betting-focused Know My Gambling Limits campaign informs Manitobans of the risks associated with sports betting, specifically in the online context. It dispels some myths bettors may believe about sports betting and provides them with strategies to reduce their risk of experiencing betting-related harms.
Initially launched in February 2024, the LGCA updated its sports betting campaign for 2025. Early phases of the revised campaign were launched in January 2025, to coincide with Super Bowl LIX and the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The latest phase, launched in November 2025, was developed in partnership with Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. This phase focuses on the myth that a person is more likely to win their bet if they know about the sport or player they’re betting on. The key message is that no matter what a person knows about a sport, the player stats, or the odds, games are unpredictable, and what seems like a guaranteed win can easily turn into a loss.
Learn more about the campaign and sports betting in Manitoba on our Know My Limits website.
The LGCA's Know My Limits public education campaigns encourage lower-risk alcohol and cannabis consumption and gambling participation. Campaigns run in English and French across the province via a media mix of digital and social media, billboards, transit and poster ads.