Canada is one step closer to legalizing single-event sports betting after on Thursday night legislation that would legalize gambling on single games of football, hockey and other sports returned to the House of Commons for the third time, having survived a review by the Commons’ Justice and Human Rights Committee. Now, the proposed legislation, Bill C-218, that would amend the Criminal Code so as to make Las Vegas-style single-sports betting legal, will advance to Canada’s Senate.
Currently, Canadian law allows only parlay wagering, meaning bettors must wager on at least two events, however, if The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act (Bill C-218) becomes federal law, provinces and territories in the North American country would be able to regulate both in-person and online bets on the outcome of individual sports events. At present, the only single sporting event that can be bet on legally are horse races.
Senate trip:
In a statement on Thursday night, Chief Executive Officer for Score Media, John Levy reportedly said, “Now that Bill C-218 has been passed by the House, we look forward to the Senate swiftly carrying the ball over the goal line.” The Toronto-based digital media company estimates Canada’s market potential for online gaming to be between US$3.8 billion and US$5.4 billion in yearly gross gaming revenue. Yahoo Finance further reports that even major American sports betting companies such as DraftKings (DKNG) are taking notice of what is anticipated to be a robust market in Canada.
Hard-hit by COVID-19, casinos in Canada might also benefit if the sports betting bill passes, however, the country’s provinces will determine how single-event bets should be regulated.
Possible reading:
While Senate sitting day is slated for May 4, the upper house of the Parliament generally addresses government legislation before dealing with private member’s bills, according to Sportsnet.
Betting on single sporting events in Canada is currently prohibited by the Criminal Code via section 207 (4) (b), and efforts to repeal the provision have been ongoing for the better part of the last decade.
According to a March 2021, American Gaming Association (AGA) press release, 25 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting, with 21 legal markets operational, while 17 states currently have active or pre-filed legislation to legalize sports betting.