Canada pushes to change sports betting law

A new bill has been tabled that would allow single sports bets in Canada for the first time.

Canada.- MP Kelvin Waugh is calling for a change to sports betting law in Canada by changing the Criminal Code to allow for single sports bets for the first time.

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) supports the introduction of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act tabled in parliament by Waugh yesterday.

The bill will amend the Criminal Code to make it legal to bet on the outcome of a single sporting event. At present, Canadians are only permitted to bet on three events at the same time.

Canada has had legal sports wagering for decades however presently, Canadians can only place wagers through a parlay bet, which means betting on and correctly predicting the outcome of at least two or more games in order to win their bet. 

It is estimated that Canadians wager approximately US$4 billion through offshore online sports wagering sites. Currently, only US$500 million is wagered through legal provincial sports lottery products offered to Canadians.

“Amending the Criminal Code to legalise single-event sports wagering will provide provinces with the necessary tools to deliver a safe and legal option to Canadians,” said Paul Burns, CEO of the association.

“As well as the power to address important issues such as consumer protection while enabling economic benefits to flow to licensed gaming operators, communities and provincial governments,” he added.