A December 16 round table with business, labor and political leaders admitted Windsor needs to move quickly towards legalizing single-event sports betting or be left behind by Michigan, just over the border. Michigan expects to pass a law allowing both online betting and brick-and-mortar sports betting, one that could leave Windsor-Essex and particularly Caesars Windsor at a disadvantage.
“Border states in the U.S. will soon begin to take business away, threatening jobs in Canadian communities while we sit on the sidelines,” said Paul Burns, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, who estimated single sports betting could be a $14 million industry in Canada.
According to the Windsor Star, Canada could risk losing customers to Michigan casinos if Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs the bill into law. Michigan will then become the 18th state to legalize some form of sports betting.
Windsor MPs Brian Masse (NDP—Windsor West) and Irek Kusmierczyk (L—Windsor-Tecumseh) organized the roundtable. Masse said the failure to allow single-event sports betting is an example of missed opportunity, but added there are still reasons to move forward with legalization.
“There’s no doubt that the opportunity isn’t what it was,” Masse said, “But it can be made into a significant one for our region. We have an advantage down here, with the local expertise, but it’s not just a local issue. It affects organized crime across the country. We see it on the front lines because we have a great casino here.”
With a new Liberal minority government, local MPs—Windsor-Essex now has representatives from the NDP, Liberals and Conservatives—view this as a fresh chance to push a bill through the House of Commons and the Senate. Masse previously made two unsuccessful attempts to legalize single sports betting. His last try came four years ago after the Trudeau government took office in Ottawa.
Local 444 President, Dave Cassidy, said 100 to 150 jobs could be created locally if single-event sports betting is legalized.
“You have alignment with the city, alignment amongst a lot of different players, including the chamber, saying we believe this is an important issue and we’re going to take it to Ottawa,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said.
