Sports betting within Ontario

The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving to permitting sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in many provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor and 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 provide them with 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 have already got infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up however the betting has been 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 result 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 will give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in most states except Nevada Las Vegas and some others. This is because sports leagues which are professional are against having the sportsbooks in cities that 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 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 unlawful in New York and Michigan.

Sadly the residents of Niagara have observed 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) as well as other issues at the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a reliable, professional and properly 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 must be permitted in Canada. This is because it can 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 also other countries where sports gambling is legalized.

The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes the sports gambling in Ontario will increase 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 prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also depend on the way the bettors embrace the games provided by the casinos.