In Canada and proposed legislation that would amend the criminal code so as to legalize single-game sportsbetting nationwide has reportedly passed its second reading before the House of Commons.
According to a Wednesday report from SBC News, Bill C-218 was authored by Brian Masse from the left-leaning New Democratic Party and is now undergoing a review ahead of being put to a final vote before the country’s 338 federal legislators. The source detailed that the measure, which is also known as The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, has already gained support from local casino operators, labor unions and professional sports leagues and could well become the law of the land by the second quarter of next year.
Significant support:
The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) trade group is reportedly a backer of efforts to legalize single-game sportsbetting and established a coalition earlier this year with prominent North American professional sports leagues including Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League so as to push for the rapid ratification of Bill C-218.
Reportedly read a statement from the CGA…
“The CGA is pleased that the federal government has recognized the urgent need to amend the criminal code to offer safeguards to Canadians as well as an economic recovery tool for the provinces. We can’t emphasize enough how this small change to the criminal code will help communities recover from the economic devastation of the coronavirus shutdown. We will continue to update the industry as this bill moves forward.”
Earlier endeavor:
The campaign to legalize single-game sportsbetting for the whole of Canada was reportedly almost successful in 2016 after Bill-CG90 survived its own final House of Commons review only to be denied federal ascension by the ruling Liberal Party ahead of a national election. Proponents purportedly believe that the passage of its successor would be a powerful tool in helping the nation garner some of the estimated $385 million that was last year spent on unlicensed gambling websites by the 14.7 million residents of Ontario alone.
