Sports betting in 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 earnings in Windsor as well as 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 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 have already got infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting has been limited 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 new gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to place bets on the result 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 new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is just 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 which may 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 that are political. Nevertheless the undeniable fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.

Sadly the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of boost in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues on the border etc. So it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and effectively 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 superb tourist draw and must be permitted in Canada. It 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 based in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.

The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario will increase with the improvements being made in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans coming from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on the way the bettors embrace the games provided by the casinos.