Canada Sports Betting Bill In The News

The Globe and Mail of Canada published a report on September 22 concerning a sports gambling bill that is stuck in the Senate. The surprising fact is that the bill received approval from the House with the support of both parties two years ago. As against the House, the Senate is an unelected body, whose members have raised various concerns about the bill.

The bill proposed to give each province the power to allow single-game betting. Such betting is illegal under current law in Canada. Provinces are, however, allowed to offer parlay-style wagers on multiple games. The proponents of the bill claim that sports betting is rampant and that the money now ends up with offshore operators or in the hands of organized crime. By legalizing and regulating sports betting funds could be channeled to job creation and government revenues.

The bill was sponsored in 2012 by New Democrat Joe Comartin, now deputy speaker, and supported by then-justice minister Rob Nicholson. Both members have casinos in their constituencies that could potentially host sports betting. One reason for lack of action in the Senate is the allegation that the bill was not adequately discussed in the House before passage. A House committee spent just one brief session over the bill. It consulted ‘experts’, all of who were from the gaming industry. No one from other interested sectors was roped in. After that the bill was passed in the House on a voice vote. Not a single vote was recorded.

In addition there have been concerns raised that converting the bill into law will foster sports fixing and problem gambling. Paul Beeston, president of the Toronto Blue Jays, told a Senate committee that legalization of single-game betting would add to the existing malaise of problem gambling and send the wrong message to children about the purpose of sports. Sports luminaries such as Senator Jacques Demers, a former Montreal Canadiens coach, and former Olympic skier Nancy Greene Raine denounced the bill. Only Senator Frank Mahovlich, the former Maple Leafs great, said today’s hockey players earn enough money so as not to be tempted by match fixers.

Whatever the merits or demerits of the bill may be, The Senate has been criticized for sitting on the bill for two years. Conservative Senator Bob Runciman said, “This is a debate about whether the Senate should thwart the will of an overwhelming majority of those in the Other Place and whether we should deny the wishes of the provinces we were sent here to represent,” Runciman revived the bill in June and hopefully it will head toward a vote this time.

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