As some of you probably know, at the end of August 2021, single-game sports betting was legalized in Canada. Bill C-218 was proposed by Kevin Waugh – a politician who became a member of the Canadian House of Commons back in 2015. Prior to the authorization of this law, Canadians were not allowed to place single bets on any sporting event.
Instead, they should have entered offshore platforms and were required to place at least three successful bets on various sports games. Only after that will they receive the promised payout. Fortunately, now they don’t have to rely on combined bets in order to win.
Reasons for the Adoption of the Latest Gambling Law in Canada
The latest law concerning gambling in Canada got approved in late August 2021. According to the bill, Canadians are now permitted to place single bets on different sports events. Before the adoption of the bill, it was mandatory for them to predict the outcome of three games to earn.
As stated by Kevin Waugh, who proposed this regulation, offshore betting platforms receive up to $35 million on a daily basis wagered by Canadian players. The reason being is not that there are millions of gamblers but rather that bettors are obliged to place larger bets. Nevertheless, with the introduction of Bill C-218, they’ll be able to place single bets on events from various leagues, such as:
- NFL
- NBA
- NHL
- Premier League
- UEFA Champions League
- Wimbledon
- The US Open
Consumer protection is now much more reliable and stronger, considering that it won’t be mandatory for players to bet a huge amount of money in order to participate in online betting activities. According to the senators, the risk of manipulation will be much smaller. Punters from Canada are still obliged to only wager on authorized offshore platforms. In other words, the respective website should have a government-issued license.
Potential Future Changes Concerning Gambling in the Country
Even though the only websites Canadians can bet on are legal offshore platforms, this may change in the near future. According to the latest news, a number of trustworthy bookmakers express interest in offering their services in the country and becoming the very first legal Canadian sportsbooks. DraftKings, Woodbine, and TheScore are the most popular companies that may become part of the legal betting industry in Canada.
- DraftKings is one of the absolute leaders in the sports betting industry. The company was founded in 2012, and today, it’s considered one of the most dependable operators on a global scale. There are speculations that DraftKings will be the first legal platform to offer daily fantasy sports in Canada. Punters are excited to see whether or not the sportsbook giant will enter the Canadian market in the upcoming months.
- Woodbine Champions is a well-known company offering off-track betting services. As you know, off-track betting permits customers to place real-money Parlay bets on horse and dog racing events. This gambling activity is quite popular in the US. After all, some states only allow for betting on horses. The CEO of the company recently shared that he’ll be delighted to expand the access to horse gambling with the Canadian market.
- TheScore is a media company based in Toronto, Canada. It’s currently owned by Penn National Gaming, and its popularity has certainly grown recently. The company has made an official agreement with Golf Canada to become its legal gaming partner. TheScore is entirely legal and dependent, and it will not come as a surprise if it becomes the very first official Canadian sportsbook.
Additional Gambling Activities Permitted in Canada
The history of gambling in Canada dates back to the 1890s. During back then, betting on horses was the only legal wagering activity punters could participate in. Fortunately, a few decades later, further services were introduced. In the beginning, people were only allowed to play the lottery, which was entirely in support of charity. Later, slot machines have entered the industry, and bettors’ interest became even greater.
At present times, Canadians have access to more than 20 legal land-based gambling houses that feature several popular games. Bingo, blackjack, and slot machines seem to be beloved by the majority of punters. In fact, slots are so popular that they are also accessible on several racetracks and off-track betting facilities.
Horse racing is, of course, still legal in America’s Hat. Currently, several horse racing tracks attract a number of visitors every time there’s a special event. Simulcast horse betting is available on many gambling platforms, as well. Up until the end of August, visitors were required to place bets on at least three games to be able to engage in betting. However, with the latest bill passed, they can now only wager on a single event.
People of legal age residing in Ontario are also allowed to play the national lottery. Additionally, there are various provincial drawings that are regulated by the OLG, which is an abbreviation for Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. It’s essential to note that some Canadian cities have different laws when it comes to gambling. Today, charitable gambling is still legal in the country, and bingo and raffles are the most well-liked games.
Help for Those in Need
Many Canadians participate in diverse gambling activities, such as betting on sports, playing slots, betting on simulcast horse races, etc. Some of them, however, face severe problems related to gambling addiction. Residents of the country have access to several helplines that are available throughout the whole day and night.
Conclusion
All in all, the gambling industry in Canada is expected to reach new heights. With the legalization of placing single-game bets online, players are now excited to see what the future laws will be related to. According to specialists, the first licensed Canadian sportsbook may become a fact very soon.