The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards allowing sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor and 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 provide them with a boost Ottawa has been urged by Queens Park to amend and change 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 set up but the betting is being restricted to Pro-line where they are able to select the results or outcomes of only three or more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to place bets on the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sporting events as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in most states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are in opposition to having the sportsbooks in cities which may have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in getting approval to change Ontarios Criminal Code could be that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this transformation for purposes which are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.
Sadly the residents of Niagara have experienced layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of increase in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues at the border etc. So it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help in reducing the illegal sports gambling that 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 offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently gamblers in Canada bet with sports books based 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 increases with the improvements being created in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario will also be determined by the way the bettors accept the games provided by the casinos.
