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 Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor and 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 boost 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 have already got infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up however the betting has been limited to Pro-line where they can select the results or outcomes of only three or more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to put bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sporting events as apposed to 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 rivals as sportsbook gambling is 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 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 the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this transformation for purposes that are political. However the undeniable fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will 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 experienced 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 at the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling that is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and must be permitted in Canada. This is because it can attract the Americans to 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 that the sports gambling in Ontario increases 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 coming from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario will also be determined by the way the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.