Sports gambling in Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to allowing sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in many 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 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 but the betting has been restricted to Pro-line where they can choose the results or outcomes of only three or more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to place bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sporting events as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in most states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. This is because sports leagues that are professional are in opposition to getting the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in getting approval to alter Ontarios Criminal Code could be that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes which are political. Nevertheless the undeniable fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently and also a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage due to boost in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) and other issues on the border etc. So it is obvious that a reliable, professional and properly regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a superb tourist draw and must be allowed in Canada. It is because it will attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer 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 that owns the Casino Windsor hopes the sports gambling in Ontario will increase with the improvements being made in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on the way the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
