The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to allowing sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, are actually 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 already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up but the betting has been restricted to Pro-line where they are able to choose the results or outcomes of only three or more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to place bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports activities as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in many states except Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are in opposition to getting the sportsbooks in cities which may have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in getting approval to change Ontarios Criminal Code is that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that 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 might be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful in New York and Michigan.
Unfortunately the residents of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage due to boost in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) and other issues at the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a reliable, professional and properly regulated sportsbooks would help in reducing the illegal sports gambling which is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and should be allowed in Canada. This is because it will attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer 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 that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario increases with the improvements being made in this casino. The brand new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will draw in the sports fans from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also be determined by the way the bettors accept the games provided by the casinos.