Sports betting in Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards allowing sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security on the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot 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 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 restricted to Pro-line where they are able to choose the results or outcomes of only three or more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to place bets for the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sporting events as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in many states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. This is because sports leagues which are professional are in opposition to getting the sportsbooks in cities which may have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to change 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 transformation for purposes that are political. However the fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage due to boost 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 properly regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and should be allowed in Canada. It is because it will attract the Americans to the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently gamblers in Canada bet with sports books located in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario will increase with the improvements being made in this casino. The brand new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans coming from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario will also depend on the way the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.