The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards permitting sports gambling (in the Las 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 fewer visitors from America, are actually 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 to create legal casino sportsbooks.
Casinos in Ontario already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up however the betting has been limited to Pro-line where they are able to choose the results or outcomes of only three or even more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest 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 to 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 rivals as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in most states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. This is because sports leagues that 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 change Ontarios Criminal Code is that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes that are political. Nevertheless the 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 residents of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently and also a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of increase 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 reduce the illegal sports gambling that is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and must be allowed in Canada. This 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 also other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that 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 prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on how the bettors embrace the games provided by the casinos.
