Sports fans in Canada hope 2021 finally brings legal, single-event sports wagers to the country’s arenas and sportsbooks. By a 303-15 vote in parliament last month, a bill from Conservative Kevin Waugh offers the strongest chance for success in a decade of trying.
“Right now, the only way Canadians can legally place a wager on a sports event is through parlay betting, which requires multiple outcomes to be picked and combined into a single bet,” Waugh said. “I am pleased other parties joined Conservatives to make this important and common-sense change. This change is supported by professional sports leagues, unions, gaming institutions, chambers of commerce, provincial governments, and many other groups.”
Last year, Waugh introduced a similar bill, and while Justice Minister David Lametti championed the legislation, it took a back seat to expanded access to medical assistance.
Both bills modify a portion of the Criminal Code of Canada, which prohibits single-game sports betting. “We’re a bit behind in Canada, so we’re hoping this bill can pass through the House soon so that it would give Canadian provinces the right to go to single-game betting,” Waugh said.
Previous efforts have run into resistance from the government and from professional sports leagues. A 2012 bill stalled in the Senate, in part because pro sports opposed it. But pro leagues have done a 180 on their position.
Speaking to Global News, Waugh said he believes the vote will be a valuable one for the sports industry. Estimates of single-event sports betting in “We believe, through the Canadian Gaming Association, that it’s a $14 billion dollar industry that Canadian provinces and Canadians are not getting any benefit from,” Waugh said. “This will give the provinces, if it is passed, the much-needed money to give back to sports, culture, recreation and hopefully addictions programming.”
According to 2019 CGA estimates, Canadians bet $4 billion on sports through offshore organizations, and $10 billion a year through illegal bookmaking operations in Canada.
“We don’t get any taxes through organized crime. We don’t get any taxes through organizations like Bodog and Bet365, offshore sites,” Waugh said.
John Levy, head of Canadian-based Score Media and Gaming Inc. said “As Canada’s leading mobile sports media brand with a uniquely integrated sports betting platform, we look forward to collaborating with key stakeholders as the legislative process continues, to ensure that betting reform works for all Canadians and their communities.”
Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns remained confident of passage in time for the 2022 Super Bowl. Waugh believes it will succeed in the Senate by the end of May.
“It is fantastic to see all political parties recognize the importance of providing a safe and regulated option for Canadians when it comes to single-event sports betting,” Burns told Sports Handle. “The professional sports leagues were the last of the major stakeholders coming to the table.”
