Sports gambling within Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards permitting sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor and the Niagara Falls where increased security on the border and high Canadian dollar have caused fewer visitors from America, have been sagging and to provide them with a lift Ottawa has been urged by Queens Park to amend and alter the Criminal Code of Canada and also to create legal casino sportsbooks.
Casinos in Ontario already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting has been limited to Pro-line where they are able to select the results or outcomes of only three or more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to place bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sporting events as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The brand new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in many states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. This is because sports leagues which are professional are against having the sportsbooks in cities which may have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to alter Ontarios Criminal Code could be that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes which are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.
Sadly the inhabitants of Niagara have experienced layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently and also a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage due to increase in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues on the border etc. So it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling that is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and should be allowed in Canada. This is because it will attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently gamblers in Canada bet with sports books based in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario increases together with the improvements being created in this casino. The brand new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will draw in the sports fans coming from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on the way the bettors accept the games provided by the casinos.
