Sports betting within Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a different turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to permitting sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused fewer visitors from America, have been sagging and to give them a lift Ottawa has been urged by Queens Park to amend and change the Criminal Code of Canada and to create legal casino sportsbooks.
Casinos in Ontario already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting is being limited to Pro-line where they are able to choose the results or outcomes of only three or more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to put bets on the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports activities as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in most states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. This is because sports leagues that are professional are against having the sportsbooks in cities which may have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to change Ontarios Criminal Code is that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes that are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the residents of Niagara have experienced layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of increase in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues at the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a reliable, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help in reducing the illegal sports gambling that is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a superb tourist draw and should be permitted in Canada. It is because it can attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and provide excellent entertainment and fun. At present gamblers in Canada bet with sports books based in the UK, Caribbean and also other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes the sports gambling in Ontario increases together with the improvements being made 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 success of sports gambling in Ontario will also depend on the way the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
