James Whitney Bettes (October 17, 1848 – November 29, 1925) was an Ontario merchant and political figure.

He represented Muskoka and Parry Sound in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member from 1882 to 1883.

He was born in Prince Albert, Ontario County, Canada West in 1848, the son of John Bettes.

[1] In 1872, Bettes married Martha Maria Crosby, a granddaughter of John Willson.

He was elected to the provincial assembly in an 1882 by-election held after John Classon Miller resigned to run unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Commons.