In Canada, Windsor West NDP MP Brian Masse will re-introduce C-290, which would legalize single-game sports betting. Currently the Canadian Criminal Code only allows sports bets on two or more events. The Lower House of the parliament unanimously approved the bill in 2012 but it was killed in the Senate after no action was taken on it, even though it was approved by all nine provinces.
Masse said he will present the bill in February. “We hope to see it pass one reading during this winter session and get into committee. We have a lot of partners and resources and evidence already in place. We’re prepared fully for the process of debate on the bill’s merits. This bill won’t fall because of lack of preparation,” Masse said.
He added, “I don’t see why you can bet on two or three or more games, but not one. It would still be up to each province to decide if they wanted to entertain this. It doesn’t force anyone to do anything. At least we could have a discussion about an activity that’s already legal around the world.”
Masse noted one of the reasons for the failure of the previous bill, introduced by retired Windsor-Tecumseh MP Joe Comartin, was that it was subject to a voice vote, not a recorded one for the third reading. Masse promised these types of procedural challenges will be avoided.
The four major professional sports organizations previously have lobbied against single-game betting. However, Masse said, “I think the landscape has changed. For one thing the NHL’s hypocrisy on this is exposed when they have advertising for DraftKings fantasy hockey related to gambling on their website.”
Masse said the bill would help improve tourism, create new revenue streams, create and protect jobs and provide funds for problem gamblers. “We have billions of dollars invested in casino infrastructure and tourism at risk. It would give us a unique advantage in the area. Regardless of this bill, this betting is taking place in backrooms and offshore and it’s unregulated. It’s certainly not providing any revenue to battle gambling addiction,” he said.
In fact, the Canadian Gaming Association projects more than $4 billion in gross sports wagers are placed annually by Canadians using online offshore betting services, noted political strategist Jim Warren, principal at grgadvisors.ca and chief executive officer at Riseley Gaming Inc. “These bets are made without consumer protection, responsible gaming safeguards or the collection of taxes,” Warren said.
Legalizing single-event sports wagering is a simple change that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could make happen this winter, Warren said.
“Legal single-event sports betting, which would be regulated, has responsible gaming software, testing to Canadian standards and would be overseen by experienced, world-class regulators – all steps that protect both consumers and the sports industry. The provinces see Las Vegas-style single-event sports betting as a key driver to attract Americans to return to Canadian border casinos. It will create new jobs and new tax revenues,” he stated.
