Sports betting within 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 several provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor and the Niagara Falls where increased security on 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 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 has been 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 place bets on the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sports activities as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The brand 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 some others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are in opposition to having 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 transformation for purposes that are political. However the 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.
Sadly the inhabitants of Niagara have observed 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 trustworthy, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and must be allowed in Canada. This is because it will attract the Americans to 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 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 brand 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 will also be determined by the way the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
