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 as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused 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 have already got infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up however the betting is being 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 for the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sporting events as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in many states except Nevada Las Vegas and some others. This is because sports leagues that 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 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 transformation for purposes which are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have experienced layoffs in 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) as well as other issues on the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a reliable, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce 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 allowed in Canada. This is because it will attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and provide 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 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 draw in the sports fans 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.