Published
Legal & RegulatorySports Betting

Single-event sports betting bill defeated in Canadian Commons

The

Canada
Canadian House of Commons has voted down a bill to introduce single-event sports betting in the country.

A total of 156 MPs voted against the introduction of Bill C-221, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, with 133 votes in favour.

C-221 sought to remove a line in the Criminal Code restricting provincial gambling monopolies from offering anything beyond parlay sports wagers.

Brian Masse, who introduced the bill in February and serves as MP for Windsor West, has expressed his disappointment at the decision.

He said: “By defeating this legislation the Liberal Government just endorsed an unacceptable reality in the gaming sector in Canada.

“They are well aware of the massive revenue stream sports wagering is providing organised crime to fund human trafficking, the illegal drug and weapons trade, money laundering and tax evasion.”

Masse based his support for the bill on the potential benefits it carried in job creation and support for the nation’s provincial economies, as well in helping to combat organised crime.

Critics of the bill had argued that its passage would fail to effectively curtail illegal wagering and could contribute to problem gambling.

The ruling Liberal Party came out in formal opposition to the bill in April based on sporting integrity fears, with C221’s defeat likely spelling an end to any hopes of sing-event sports betting being introduced in the country for the foreseeable future.

Masse commented: “It’s done. There’s no way else it can be revisited in terms of the language we have for the criminal code... I can’t imagine another way.”
Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Resorts World Las Vegas
Star Sports Group
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon
Follow Us

Facing Facts: Analysing figures from emerging gambling markets

Where is the gambling market on the rise, and are there any...

Taking Stock: A guide to lottery/iLottery operator and supplier prices

Gambling Insider tracks lottery/iLottery operator and suppli...

New Horizons Cover Feature: United Arab Emirates

With its first land-based casino set to open in 2027 and a n...

New Horizons Cover Feature: Brazil

Brazil performed quite the feat by getting its heavily delay...

The best of Malta at the Global Gaming Awards

Powered by Gambling Insider, the Global Gaming Awards are th...

Preview: SiGMA Malta 2024

A place in the winter sun: SiGMA returns to the home of iGa...

Company profile: Soft2Bet

Bill 55: Advantages and challenges for Maltese operators in...

Company profile: DS Virtual Gaming

DS Virtual Gaming is a leader in the gaming industry, utilis...