The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a different turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards permitting sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in several 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 set up however the betting is being limited to Pro-line where they can choose the results or outcomes of only three or more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to place bets for the result of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and 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 competitors as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in many states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. It is because sports leagues that are professional are against getting the sportsbooks in cities which may have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in getting approval to alter Ontarios Criminal Code could be that the minority government of Federal Conservatives is anxious that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this change for purposes that are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a great 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 and also 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. Therefore it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and properly regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling that is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a good tourist draw and must be allowed in Canada. It 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 based in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.
The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes the sports gambling in Ontario increases together with the improvements being created in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will draw in the sports fans from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario may also be determined by the way the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.
