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 Las Vegas style) in many provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor and the Niagara Falls where increased security on the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot 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 already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting has been limited to Pro-line where they can select 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 and other sporting events as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The brand new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in many 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 could be that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes which are political. However the undeniable fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have experienced layoffs in 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 at the border etc. So it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and properly regulated sportsbooks would help in reducing the illegal sports gambling that is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and should be allowed in Canada. It 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 other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario increases 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 draw in the sports fans from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario will also depend on the way the bettors accept the games provided by the casinos.
