NHL against sports betting in Canada
National Hockey League (NHL) deputy commissioner Bill Daly has voiced the league’s opinions against the legalisation of sports betting in Canada.
Daly’s views were expressed in a letter to Windsor West MP Brian Masse, who recently wrote to the NHL seeking support for Bill C-290, which would legalise betting on single-game sports in the country.
The bill was introduced in 2011 and was due to be reviewed by Canada’s House of Commons last month, but the process has been delayed.
NHL has always kept in line with the traditional view of US sports leagues that sports betting should remain illegal to protect the integrity of the sport.
In his letter, Daly confirmed to Masse the NHL’s stance that it will not be providing support for the passing of the bill.
He wrote: “We continue to believe that Bill C-290 will increase the overall volume of sports betting in Canada which is a result we do not favour.”
Daly told Masse that he remains open to discussions on any questions and attached a statement from the NHL reiterating his comments.
“This Bill jeopardises the integrity of professional sports and the public’s trust and confidence in professional sports in North America,” the statement read.
“Those who bet using offshore internet gambling establishments or with illegal bookies will likely continue to do so because government regulated casinos will never be able to offer the same convenience or odds as offshore and illegal domestic betting organisations.”
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