Canadian single-game sports bets bill reaches Senate
Law will allow gamblers to bet on single sporting events.
A bill that would allow single-game sports bets in Canada has passed its third reading on Parliament Hill.
Bill C-290 would allow gamblers to bet on single sporting events instead of the current parlay system. Betting on single events is currently outlawed throughout the country where gamblers have to bet on at least three games. Single bets were banned in 1985 after amendments were made to the country’s Criminal Code on the basis that the ability to place single bets would provide incentives for match fixing and corruption, damaging the integrity of sport. Nevada is the only state in North America which allows customers to place single bets.
After passing its third reading, the bill has now been sent to the Senate where it is currently under consideration. It was introduced by Joe Comartin, MP for Windsor-Tecumseh, and passed its second reading in the middle of last month.
Vice president of the Canadian Gaming Association, Paul Burns, told eGaming Review: “We are thrilled. The bill has had strong support from all parties. It didn’t go through a great deal of debate and it should be [made law] by May.”
Under Canadian law, once a bill passes through the Parliament reading stage and Senate consideration the journey to becoming law is relatively short, with only royal assent to obtain before coming into force. Once this happens, it up will be up to the individual provinces to decide if, and how, they roll it out within their borders.
Rhonda Garvey, British Columbia Lottery Commission’s vice president of egaming, said: “Should the [Criminal Code] be amended, we would look closely at how our sports betting offerings could be enhanced here in British Columbia. Canadians currently spend an estimated $2bn annually on illegal single-event sports betting. This amendment would allow safe and secure wagering and help keep those funds within our borders where they can benefit our communities.”