The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to permitting sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security on the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, have been sagging and to give them a lift Ottawa has been urged by Queens Park to amend and alter the Criminal Code of Canada and also to create legal casino sportsbooks.
Casinos in Ontario have already got infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting is being restricted to Pro-line where they can select the results or outcomes of only three or even more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to put bets for the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sports activities as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in many states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are against getting the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining approval to alter Ontarios Criminal Code is that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes which are political. However the undeniable fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as illegal in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage due to increase in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues at the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a trustworthy, 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 permitted in Canada. It is because it can attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and provide excellent entertainment and fun. At present gamblers in Canada bet with sports books located in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario will increase together with the improvements being made in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans coming from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on the way the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.