Sports gambling in Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to 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 at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, have been sagging and to provide them with a boost Ottawa has been urged by Queens Park to amend and alter 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 in place however the betting is being restricted to Pro-line where they are able to select the results or outcomes of only three or more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to put bets on the result 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 rivals as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in most states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues that are professional are in opposition to having the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to change Ontarios Criminal Code is 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 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 inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs at the Casinos at Niagara recently and also 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 trustworthy, 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 permitted in Canada. This is because it will attract the Americans to the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently gamblers in Canada bet with sports books located in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes the sports gambling in Ontario will increase together 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 success of sports gambling in Ontario will also be determined by the way the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.