The sports gambling in Ontario has taken a new turn with the Ontario and Federal Governments moving towards allowing sports gambling (in the Vegas style) in many provincial casinos. Casino earnings in Windsor and the Niagara Falls where increased security on the border and high Canadian dollar have caused a lot fewer visitors from America, have been sagging and to give them a boost 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 in place however the betting has been restricted to Pro-line where they are able to select the results or outcomes of only three or 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 and other sporting events as apposed for the Parlay multiple betting system that exists under the government run Pro-Line lottery.

The new sportsbooks will give the casinos in Ontario a very huge advantage over US rivals as sportsbook gambling is just not allowed in many states except Nevada Las Vegas and a few others. It is because sports leagues that are professional are in opposition to getting the sportsbooks in cities which may 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 undeniable fact that sports gambling in the casinos of Niagara Falls and Windsor might be a great competitive benefit and advantage as sports gambling is considered unlawful in New York and Michigan.

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

The Ontario Government that owns the Casino Windsor hopes that the sports gambling in Ontario will increase together with the improvements being created 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 success of sports gambling in Ontario will also be determined by how the bettors accept the games offered by the casinos.