Sports betting within Ontario
The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards allowing sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused fewer visitors from America, are actually sagging and to give them 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 but the betting is being restricted to Pro-line where they can select the results or outcomes of only three or even more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to put bets for the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sports activities as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in many states except Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues that are professional are against getting 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 change for purposes which are political. Nevertheless the undeniable 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.
Unfortunately the residents of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently and also a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of 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 in reducing the illegal sports gambling which is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good 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 provide 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 that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario increases 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 prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario will also be determined by how the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
