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

Casinos in Ontario already have infrastructure of sportsbooks with scoreboards, seating and TV screens in place but the betting is being restricted to Pro-line where they can choose the results or outcomes of only three or even more events on a “Parlay” betting ticket. The latest gambling proposal will allow sports gamblers to put bets for 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 brand new sportsbooks would give the casinos in Ontario an extremely huge advantage over US competitors as sportsbook gambling is not allowed in most states other than Nevada Las Vegas and some others. It is because sports leagues which are professional are in opposition to getting the sportsbooks in cities that have baseball, basketball, football and hockey teams.

A hitch in getting 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 which are political. Nevertheless the fact that sports gambling within the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a fantastic competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is regarded as unlawful in New York and Michigan.

Unfortunately the inhabitants of Niagara have observed layoffs at the Casinos at Niagara recently and also a decline in Fort Erie racetrack patronage because of increase in competition (the New York state has better exchange rates) as well as other issues at the border etc. So it is obvious that a reliable, professional and properly regulated sportsbooks would help reduce the illegal sports gambling which is occurring on unregulated websites and offshore sites. Sports gambling or betting is a superb tourist draw and must be allowed in Canada. It is because it will attract the Americans to the Niagara Falls and Windsor border casinos and offer excellent entertainment and fun. Currently gamblers in Canada bet with sports books located in the UK, Caribbean and other countries where sports gambling is legalized.

The Ontario Government which owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario increases with the improvements being created in this casino. The new Legends Sports Lounge, 36 video-displays, comfortable leather chairs and excellent food will draw in the sports fans from all over. The success of sports gambling in Ontario may also be determined by how the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.