The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a different turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards permitting sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in many 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 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 is being limited to Pro-line where they can 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 put bets for the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports activities as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US competitors 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 in opposition to having the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to change Ontarios Criminal Code could be that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes that are political. However the 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 inhabitants of Niagara have experienced layoffs at 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 on the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a reliable, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a superb tourist draw and should be allowed in Canada. This is because it can attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently 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 will increase with the improvements being created 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 may also be determined by how the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.
