The Canadian Senate has recently passed a bill that would allow for single-event sports betting in the country, a move that has been long-awaited by many in the sports industry. The bill, known as Bill C-218, received unanimous support from the Senate and is now headed to the House of Commons for further consideration.
This bill would amend the Criminal Code to allow for single-event sports betting, which is currently only legal in Canada through parlay bets, where bettors must correctly predict the outcome of multiple games in order to win. The passing of this bill would open up the market for single-event sports betting, which is already legal in many other countries including the United States.
The Senate’s decision to pass this bill comes after years of lobbying from the sports industry, who argue that legalizing single-event sports betting would help combat illegal gambling and generate much-needed revenue for the government. Currently, it is estimated that Canadians spend around $14 billion annually on illegal sports betting.
In addition to legalizing single-event sports betting, the bill also includes provisions to restrict advertising for sports betting, particularly targeting young people. This includes a ban on advertising during live sports broadcasts and a requirement for all advertisements to include responsible gambling messaging.
While the bill has received widespread support, there are some concerns about the potential negative impacts of increased access to sports betting. Some argue that it could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations.
However, proponents of the bill argue that the strict regulations and responsible gambling measures included in the bill will help mitigate these concerns. They also point to the fact that many Canadians are already participating in illegal sports betting and that legalizing it would provide better consumer protection and generate revenue for the government.
The passing of this bill by the Senate is a significant step towards legalizing single-event sports betting in Canada. It now awaits further consideration and potential amendments in the House of Commons before it can become law. If passed, it would be a major change in the Canadian sports industry and could have significant impacts on the economy and society as a whole.
