A senior Canadian politician is calling for the nation’s Senate to legalise single-event sports betting.
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa wants to see Bill C-290, a motion tabled by MP Joe Comartin that would allow gamblers to bet on one game at a time, become law some three years after it was passed unanimously by the House of Commons.
At present punters are restricted to parlay betting, in which they must wager on a minimum of two games at once and get all three predictions correct to win.
The proposed legislation would repeal the Criminal Code section that prohibits betting on a single race, fight, sporting event or athletic contest.
Sousa said: “Much monies that would otherwise be held here in Ontario for the purposes of investing in hospitals and education is not staying here as a result of this.
“I think the Senate should move on it, and that’s been the wishes of the federal government and all parties at the federal level. They should proceed.”
Sousa is eager to bring in further funding for Ontario’s budget, which has a C$12.5 billion (US$9.8bn/€8.7bn) deficit, and also create jobs at major casinos that would be able to offer betting which is illegal just over the US border in Michigan.
CBC News reports that a paper by the Canadian Gaming Corporation estimates Caesars Windsor and Fallsview Casino could add 250 full-time jobs if the bill is passed.
A year ago this month, the Canadian Gaming Association claimed $26 million in single-event sports betting had been wagered illegally while the Senate has debated the bill.
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
