Canada Single Event Sports Betting Bill Gets The Go-Ahead

Canada is on the way to approve single-event sports betting. Up until now, Canadian punters were forced to bet on multiple games, making it much more difficult. For years, this was the case, until the Liberal Government introduced Bill C-218, which will make way for punters to bet on a single match if they want. 

The bill, better known as “the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act” has not been submitted to become federal legislation and it calls for an amendment to Canada’s Criminal Code, effectively removing paragraph 207(4)(b). In turn, this will make single-event sports betting, legal. 

The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has already released optimistic comments about the news and commented: “The CGA is pleased that the federal government has recognized the urgent need to amend the Criminal Code to offer safeguards to Canadians as well as an economic recovery tool for the provinces.”

Moreover, the CGA has said that the sports gambling industry “can be assured that it will be dealt with in a timely manner“. Paul Burns, CEO of the Association is thrilled about the expected decision. 

New Source of Vital Tax Revenue
MP Kevin Waugh introduced the bill earlier in November, as a result of economic strains due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As it has been seen in US states and other legal and regulated sports gambling regions, the Canadian Government can expect vast tax revenue profits that they can use for urgent projects, nationwide. 

Additionally, the Bill will end much of the illegal and offshore gambling that takes place in Canada due to the limitations on single-event sports betting. There is more than CAD $4b wagered with offshore online bookmakers, while only about CAD $500m is wagered through legal channels in Canada. Many Canadians have wanted this option for years and it will impact online bookmakers in a positive way.