Canadian sports bettors have been able to participate in multi-pick sports betting for over 40 years, through the provincially-regulated gaming operations.

But bettors have not been allowed to make single-event wagers, in part because of the fear of match-fixing and other shenanigans. Some recent efforts have been made to remove the single-event exemption, but as of yet it remains in place.

Canadian sports bettors also have to deal with the problems that monopolies create. When there's only one operator offering what you're looking for, you're stuck playing by their rules, and paying their prices. Competition would help alleviate this, but there are few options for Canadian sports bettors who play with the official government-approved operations.

Thanks to the onerous rules and regulations and often-excessive vig charged by the government-regulated betting outlets, many Canadian sports bettors are turning toward the Internet for the more bettor-friendly rules, enhanced variety and better prices the competition in that field fosters.

Shops such as Bodog.ca have long offered more product and better odds. So that sportsbook, along with overseas giants Bet365.com and Bwin.com, continue to have success in earning the business of Canadian bettors.

And online sportsbooks, of course, offering single-pick betting, which gives sports bettors their best chance of winning. After all, it's much easier to pick one winner than to string together two or more. These are known as parlays and while they can be profitable in the right situation, largely they are known as sucker bets.

It's difficult to gauge on just how much sports wagering is being done, because by every estimate the amount wagered through government-regulated sports betting outlets is just a fraction of the total sports betting handle.

It's likely that for each dollar bet at a government-approved outlet, there's $10 bet elsewhere. And those in government should look at that situation and realize the millions (dare we say billions?) in tax revenue that's slipping through the cracks.

Whatever the status of single-event sports wagering in Canada, Canadians can still bet on sports now. The provinces clearly want it and have been moving towards it. Five years ago, you had to do 3-game parlays. Now you can do 2-game tickets. And there are props and totals, odds on soccer and curling as well as the staple sports of football, hockey and baseball.

For insight into the best places to do so readers should visit topsportsbooks.ca/top-rated.