The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards permitting sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in many provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor and the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused fewer visitors from America, are actually sagging and to provide them with a lift 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 but the betting is being limited to Pro-line where they can select the results or outcomes of only three or more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal would allow sports gamblers to put bets for the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sporting events as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists in 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 just not allowed in many states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues that are professional are against getting the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.
A hitch in obtaining 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 change for purposes that are political. However the undeniable fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful in New York and Michigan.
Sadly the residents of Niagara have observed layoffs at 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) and other issues on 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 must be permitted 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 based 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 will increase with the improvements being created in this casino. The brand 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 depend on how the bettors embrace the games provided by the casinos.