SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Canadian news sources and political commentators appear to have signalled the death of the nation’s single sports betting bill C290, whose review has stalled in the Ottawa Senate.
Pro sports betting campaigners appear to be at their wits’ end as C290 which would allow sports wagering in licensed gambling premises (casinos and racetracks) has recorded no progress since being passed by the House of Commons three years ago.
C290 progress into national law, appears to be on its last legs as Canadian Parliament enters its summer break in the coming weeks. Political commentators have stated that the bill will likely die if not approved before Canada’s October General Election.
If C290 were to record no progress before the crucial dateline, Canadian sports betting will likely have to start its processes from scratch.
The bill’s supporters and lobbyists which include several political, business and police authority stakeholders have for weeks asked for further action from the Ottawa Senate on the matter. US gambling and leisure operators active in the Canadian gambling market such as Caesars Entertainment Canada have publically urged the Senate not to ‘miss this opportunity’.
Canadian news sources report that C290 numerous supporters are preparing for one last push to save the bill from extinction. Time and again C290 advocates have stated that legalised sports betting could see up to CAD $14 billion relocated from offshore and illegal sports wagers to a regulated market, creating substantial tax revenues for Canadian provinces.
Nevertheless at present it appears that the Senate does not have appetite to review or debate single sports betting, and will likely pass on the matter and focus on other electoral concerns.
