Legislation
Canada – Canadian Gaming Association gives it support to new sports betting bill
By Phil - 1 March 2020
The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has said it fully supports the introduction of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act.
Canadians can only place accumulator bets but are betting around $10bn every year through illegal bookmaking operations in Canada. Only $500m is currently bet 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 Canadian Gaming 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.”
An amendment to permit single-event sports wagering has had almost unanimous endorsement from provincial governments across Canada, as well as support from organised labour through Unifor and the Canadian Labour Congress; business organisations such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce; sports organisations such as Soccer Canada and the International Olympic Committee; law enforcement; dozens of mayors and community leaders across Canada; and most recently, Canadian and North American professional sports leagues such as the CFL, NBA, and NHL.
“This amendment will allow us to safeguard the $17.1bn economic contribution that gaming makes to Canada as well as the 182,500 jobs that support not only individuals but communities,” added Mr. Burns. “We look forward to working with all political parties to make single-event sports wagering a reality.”
Canadian MP Brian Masse confirmed he has co-sponsored a new sports betting bill with Conservative MP Kevin Waugh.
He said: “You now have bipartisan Conservative and NDP members co-sponsoring a bill. This will be another opportunity for the prime minister to do something on this. Kevin Waugh and I will be working with and lobbying members from all parties to finally get this done. We are going to lose market share to the US.”
