The Canadian parliament is primed to decriminalize single-event sports betting. They’re onto their fourth attempt to lift the longstanding restrictions and allow players to wager on the outcomes of hockey and other games.
Legalizing single-event sports betting would open doors to the spring up of several legal and regulated sports betting platforms in the Canadian market. The parliament has rolled out two bills to kick-start their quest for a modernized Canadian betting industry.
One of the bills was proposed by the sitting government, and the other by the official opposition. The two are now under consideration in the House of Commons. If the two bills get passed, the proposed Criminal Code amendments would need to be authorized by the federal government and the changes effected at the provincial level.
Background
From the early 1990s, Canadian players have had access to a very limited list of sports betting offering. While free casino games provide players with the adrenaline rush they seek, it would be nice to have a wider array of legal offerings.
Section 207 (b) of the Criminal Code has remained to criminalize single-game betting for years. However, Canadian might be able to see light at the end of a long tunnel following the events of November 26, 2020. The Minister of Justice proposed legislative amendments to the land-standing Criminal Code.
Bill C-13 has the potential to make changes to a Criminal Code that has remained untouched for eons. If passed, provincial governments would be in a position to establish lottery schemes for single-sports betting.
There is a huge similarity between Bill C-13 and its predecessor Bill C-218. The latter was proposed in February 2020 as a private member’s bill. The Conservative MP who introduced bill C-218 placed special consideration on horse-racing.
The Canadian government is following the United States’ example by proposing Bill C-13. The United States Supreme Court gave every state the authority to regulate sports betting without interference from the federal government. Eight States have legalized different forms of sports betting ever since the ruling was passed in May 2018.
Bill C-13’s economic potential
Even though attempts to amend the Criminal Code have failed three times, this fourth attempt is likely to go through because the government might have been softened by the country’s revenue needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted the global economy and Canada is looking for viable ways to bounce back.
As early as November 2020, the government was already including gambling regulations in their plan to revamp the economy and the evidence is Ontario’s Budget of November 5, 2002. Ontario seems to be at the forefront of this plan, and big fish in the gambling industry hope this will be the beginning of opening the iGaming market to the privates sector.
Relying on a single-operator system does not seem to have worked for Ontario, and introducing single-event sports betting might just be the solution they need. According to the Canadian Gaming Association, Canadian players spend over $14 billion annually on unregulated offshore single-event sports betting. This compared to the $500 spent on provincial sports lottery is a clear sign that it’s about time single-event sports betting was legalized.
Upon legalization, Canadian players would have no reason to retain their profiles on offshore sites. The immense revenue generated from iGaming would remain within Canadian borders, and the economy would benefit greatly from this shift. All the provincial governments have to do to regulate the market is to issue limited licenses to private operators.
Wrapping up
Bill C-13 looks like the break Canadian players have been waiting for. Legalizing single-event sports betting in Canada would not only diversify iGaming entertainment for residents but also help the country bounce back after the COVID-19’s impact on its economy. Everyone is anxiously waiting if Canada will finally legalize single-event sports betting after three failed attempts.
By: Rick Andersson
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