The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a different turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards 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 to create legal casino sportsbooks.
Casinos in Ontario have already got infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place but the betting has been restricted to Pro-line where they can 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 put bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports activities as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in the government run Pro-Line lottery.
The brand 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 other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are against getting 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 that the New Democrats or the Federal Liberals will oppose this transformation for purposes which are political. However the undeniable fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as illegal in New York and Michigan.
Sadly the inhabitants of Niagara have experienced layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently and also a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage due to increase in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) and other issues at the border etc. So it is obvious that a reliable, 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 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 provide 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 the sports gambling in Ontario will increase with the improvements being made 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 depend on the way the bettors embrace the games offered by the casinos.
