Sports gambling 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 and 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 alter 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 set up but the betting has been restricted to Pro-line where they can select the results or outcomes of only three or even more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to put bets on the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports activities 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 not allowed in many states other than Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. This is because sports leagues that are professional are against getting the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to alter Ontarios Criminal Code is that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this transformation for purposes that are political. Nevertheless the undeniable 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 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 reliable, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce 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 towards 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 also other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes 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 from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario will also depend on the way the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.
