The current Canadian legislation does not allow for sporting bets at casino, but this could change soon as the government has announced that it is open to the idea of legalizing this kind of bets. Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson informed during a press conference that the idea is supported by the government and there are plans to change existing laws before long. The measure seems to be a direct reaction to the decrease in Canadian casino profits.
Although there are some exceptions in the regulations concerning casinos, none of them includes betting on sports events. The government will certainly have to face a fierce opposition of some groups that argue that earning money with gambling addicts is not ethical. However, people in favor of sporting bets say many casinos in Canada have the necessary infrastructure to handle a sports book, including TV screens and scoreboards.
If approved, the new legislation will allow gamblers to bet on the results of football, basketball, hockey and baseball games, among others. Although changes are aimed for two casinos in the Niagara Falls plus Caesars Casino and the Casino Rama, any modification would also affect horse tracks such as the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
Sporting bets are expected to give casinos in Windsor and Niagara Falls an advantage to compete with other casinos since sports books are not allowed in Michigan or New York.
The current Canadian legislation does not allow for sporting bets at casino, but this could change soon as the government has announced that it is open to the idea of legalizing this kind of bets. Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson informed during a press conference that the idea is supported by the government and there are plans to change existing laws before long. The measure seems to be a direct reaction to the decrease in Canadian casino profits.
