Sports gambling in 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 many provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor and the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, are actually 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 already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up 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 on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to put bets for the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sporting events as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in many states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are against having the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in getting approval to alter 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 which are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered unlawful in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the residents of Niagara have experienced layoffs at 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. 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 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. Currently 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 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 draw in the sports fans coming from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also be determined by how the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.