This month the Canadian Senate will review Bill C290, which would allow licensed gambling operations to take bets on single sporting events approved by Canadian regulators. The bill has been sponsored by Canadian Senator and former Ontario legislator Bob Runciman, who stated the nation’s betting policies are out of date and encourage consumers to place wagers with illegal bookmakers. Currently Canadians only may wager on numerous sporting events at a time through parlay bets or pools.
Canadian police officials have indicated support for the bill since it would help them fight against criminal activities caused by illegal gambling. TSN Canada estimates $10 billion is wagered through illegal bookmakers, with an additional $5 billion wagered on unlicensed remote betting operators targeting North American consumers. “None of it’s been monitored to look for illegal activity, and the biggest downside in my view is that organized crime are the folks who are the benefactors of this, and it helps them support other illegal activities in our society. A regulated system would allow you to monitor increased activity on any particular game so you can find out something’s wrong here, something smells,” Runciman said.
Because most bets are placed on U.S. sports, the Association of U.S. Pro Leagues, including the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLF, was formed to challenge Canadian single-event sports betting and to oppose legalization of sports betting in New Jersey. The group won a federal court challenge against New Jersey, claiming it bypassed the 1992 PASPA federal act. And, it could influence the passage of Bill C290 through its Canadian sports franchises; currently Canada has one NBA team, the Toronto Rapports, one MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays and seven NHL teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadians, Vancouver Cannucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets.
However, analysts noted although the bill was approved by opposing parties in 2012, the senate has delayed hearings on it for two years and most believe it will encounter more roadblocks this year.
