Legislation
Canada – Single-game sports betting clears next hurdle in Canada
By Phil - 27 May 2021
Legislation to allow single-game sports betting in Canada cleared another hurdle with Bill C-218 receiving its second reading and being referred to the chamber’s banking, trade and commerce committee.
The bill passed the elected House of Commons in April amid estimates that market potential for online betting alone in Canada would reach between US$3.8bn and US$5.4bn in annual gross gaming revenue
The Senate resumed its work on C-218 Tuesday evening. After some debate, the legislation
“This is a simple bill,” said Saskatchewan Senator Brent Cotter. “It is grounded in principle, its goals are sensible, its benefits vastly outweigh its disadvantages. There are risks related to problem sports gambling, but those risks already exist and are going unaddressed presently. This bill will help to correct that.”
Senator David Wells, C-218’s sponsor, added: “I don’t know if it will pass. If it doesn’t pass, it won’t be because people don’t support it, it will be because process can get in the way. The regulations that would be put in place around single-event sports betting are significant, tangible and desperately needed. Some examples are age and identity verification to ensure minors cannot participate; information and data sharing between sports organizations, sports book operators, gaming regulators and law enforcement to protect the integrity of matches and prevent match fixing.”
The bill was presented to the house with wide-ranging support.
Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said: “The timing is right for Canada to expand sports betting. This bill has the potential to unlock new growth opportunities, reduce illegal betting and generate revenues for the sport industry and governments.”
responsible Gambling Council CEO Shelley White said: “It is the Responsible Gambling Council’s (RCG) neutral and independent stance that we recommend that bill C-218 be passed. This is a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders from health, mental health, education, financial services and the policing sectors with the gambling industry. That will create a “Made In Canada,” responsible gambling culture comprised of evidenced, informed regulations and leading practices.”
Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport President Paul Melia said: “I think the legislation provides an opportunity to provide greater services and support to those who may become addicted to gambling than the current system where we have an unregulated market.”
Industry executives clearly welcomed the progress.
“With today’s passing of Bill C-218 on second reading in the Senate, we are now one important step closer to legalizing single event sports betting in Canada. The Bill has now been referred to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, which provides another opportunity to discuss how safe and regulated sports betting will benefit all Canadians by implementing necessary consumer protections, generating critical tax revenue for our communities and driving job creation. Following committee, we are optimistic that Bill C-218 will be swiftly passed at third reading in the Senate, receive Royal Assent and become law.”
Thomas Rosander, CEO of Real Luck Group, said: “We welcome seeing Bill C-218 pass the second reading in the Senate, which brings us a step closer to the realization of safe and legal single-event wagering in Canada. There is huge demand among sports and esports fans in Canada for betting, and the industry is expected to be worth billions to the nation’s economy.”
Paul Burns, President & CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, said: “Bill C-218 will provide provinces with the authority to deliver a safe, legal, and regulated sports betting option to Canadians and empower them to enact strong regulatory standards on responsible gambling, age and identity verification to ensure minors cannot participate, and controls to prevent match fixing and protect the integrity of sport. We are close to making Bill C-218 a reality and allowing provinces and stakeholders to provide #bettersportsbetting. We thank the Senators for the serious attention they are giving this matter, and we look forward to getting the Bill across the finish line together.”
The Senate now has several weeks to approved C-218 before it breaks for summer recess on June 25.
