Sports betting within 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 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, are actually sagging and to provide them with 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 are able to select the results or outcomes of only three or even more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to place bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sports activities 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 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 getting approval to change 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 in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs at 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) and other issues on the border etc. So it is obvious that a reliable, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help in reducing the illegal sports gambling which is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and must be permitted 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 located 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 together with the improvements being created in this casino. The brand new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on how the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
