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 many provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security on the border and high Canadian dollar have caused fewer visitors from America, are actually sagging and to give them 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 already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place however the betting has been limited to Pro-line where they are able to choose 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 outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sports activities as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The brand new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in many states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. This 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 is that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this transformation for purposes that are political. However the fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful 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 because of boost in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues on the border etc. So it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and effectively regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is occurring 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 will attract the Americans to the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently gamblers in Canada bet with sports books located in the UK, Caribbean and also other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes 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 coming 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.