The gambling industry is definitely on the move in Canada. A few weeks after the legalization of online casinos in Ontario, the House of Commons has just passed a bill to regulate sports betting throughout the country. This decision may upset the habits of Canadian bettors by giving them more possibilities than before.
A bill that calls into question the Canadian exception
With an overwhelming majority (303 votes for and 15 against), the House of Commons of Canada adopted this new bill concerning sports betting. Introduced in February 2020, this text plans to legalize sports betting on a single game.
This may seem surprising, but it should be noted that this practice has been prohibited in Canada until now. Players are only allowed to bet on multiple games at the same time.
Canada’s 13 provinces and territories are responsible for enforcing this rather restrictive law through licensed physical agencies. The new bill aims to amend the federal law. Drafted by the Conservatives, this text was also approved by the other parties, proof of the need to modernize the place of sports betting in Canada.
The bill has been endorsed by professional sports leagues, unions, gaming venues, chambers of commerce and provincial governments.
The bill still needs to be approved by a vote
With the approval of the House of Commons, Bill C-218 has taken a significant first step. The bill will now be referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and then to the Senate. The enactment will have to wait a few more months.
In the meantime, this desire to regulate sports betting is in line with the liberal policy of Justin Trudeau’s government. The new law seems to suit the different parties: bettors will have many possibilities for their bets, which will inevitably do bookmakers’ business.
