Legislation
Canada – Canadian association urges quick action on legislation for sports betting
By Phil - 4 November 2020
The Canadian Gaming Association is pleased that Bill C-218 – The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act – today begins the first hour of debate in the House of Commons. Championed by Kevin Waugh, MP for Saskatoon-Greenwood, this bill, when passed, will provide the communities with a powerful tool to help recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19.
“We are part of the broader hospitality and tourism sector in Canada and like all sectors, we will need longer term supports once we enter the re-opening and recovery phase,” said Paul Burns, President & CEO of the CGA. “While current support measures are welcomed and appreciated, they all have expiry dates that will not meet the unique situation of the hospitality sector long-term.”
Helping a gaming facility to open a sports book will serve as an economic stimulus, create hundreds of employment opportunities, and generate a significant new tax revenue stream for cities across Canada. Parliament should come together and help push this change through before the chance is lost to another election.
“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 while enabling economic benefits to flow to licensed gaming operators, communities and provincial governments,” stated Mr. Burns. “I can’t emphasise enough how this small change to the Criminal Code would help communities recover from the economic devastation of the ongoing COVID-19 shutdown.”
Many provinces have recently spoken up – again – about the need to clean up the Criminal Code and let the provinces decide for themselves how to implement single-event sports betting. Left as-is, billions of dollars continue to line the pockets of organised crime, which is estimated to be $10 billion annually. Additionally, more than $4 billion is wagered through offshore online sports wagering sites. Currently, only $500 million is wagered through legal provincial sports lottery products offered to Canadians, which means many people are betting through illegal and often dangerous means.
A legal, regulated sports wagering marketplace will drive additional revenue through increased food and beverage sales, gaming activity, and sports wagering revenue while supporting jobs in Canada’s legal and regulated gaming industry.
Score Media and Gaming Inc. Founder and CEO John Levy said: “We strongly support this bill to amend Canada’s outdated federal laws and give sports fans the choice to wager on single events,” said Mr. Levy. “Canadians deserve a modernized, regulated, and competitive sports betting market, and the reintroduction of this bill is another important step in that direction. As Canada’s leading independent digital sports media brand, and with an active and growing U.S. sportsbook business, we are very excited about the potential opportunities around regulated sports betting here. When the opportunity arises, we will be ready to offer our award-winning sportsbook, theScore Bet, to fans on our home turf.”
Caption: Paul Burns
