Sports betting within Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to allowing sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in many provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, have been 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 also to create legal casino sportsbooks.
Casinos in Ontario already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting is being limited 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 outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sporting events 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 not allowed in most states other than Nevada Las Vegas and a few 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 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. However the fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as illegal in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the residents of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with 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 reliable, professional and properly 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 should be permitted in Canada. This is because it can 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 based in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario will increase together 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 from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on how the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
