The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a different turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards permitting sports gambling (in the Las Vegas style) in several provincial casinos. Casino revenues in Windsor as well as the Niagara Falls where increased security at the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, have been sagging and to give them a lift Ottawa has been urged by Queens Park to amend and alter the Criminal Code of Canada and to create legal casino sportsbooks.

Casinos in Ontario already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens set up however the betting is being restricted to Pro-line where they can select the results or outcomes of only three or even more events over a “Parlay” betting ticket. The new gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to place bets on the outcome of football, hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball as well as other sporting events as apposed to the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.

The new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in most states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. This is because sports leagues that are professional are against having the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.

A hitch in obtaining approval to alter 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 that are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor will be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered illegal in New York and Michigan.

Sadly the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs in the Casinos at Niagara recently along with a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of boost in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) and other issues at the border etc. Therefore it is obvious that a trustworthy, professional and properly regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is taking place on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a superb tourist draw and should be permitted in Canada. This is because it can attract the Americans towards the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and provide excellent entertainment and fun. At present gamblers in Canada bet with sports books located in the UK, Caribbean and also other countries where sports gambling is legalized.

The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario increases together with the improvements being made in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will attract the sports fans coming from all over. The prosperity of sports gambling in Ontario may also be determined by how the bettors embrace the games provided by the casinos.