Canadian Gaming association spurs senate to action on sports betting bill

Sports betting bill C-290 was in the Canadian spotlight again this week with gambling executives becoming increasingly impatient with an over year-long stall in the Canadian Senate despite the measure receiving overwhelming support in the House of Commons in March last year.

The bill, which seeks to allow single game wagering has languished in the Senate…some say because opponents are hoping that it that it will have run out of time by the end of June recess .

In an effort to move things along the supportive Canadian Gaming Association has introduced a counter on its website to graphically illustrate how much money is being lost to offshore sites every hour that the bill remains politician-bound.

Bill Rutsey, the outspoken chief exec at the Association observed this week that C-290 has been stuck in the Senate for 469 days, and estimated that during this time Canadians have gambled nearly $18 billion through illegal offshore online sportsbooks.

“Canadians clearly want a legal alternative,” Rutsey said. “By not passing Bill C-290, the Senate is preserving the status quo [and] essentially forcing Canadians to turn to unregulated Internet sites. Why some Senators are opposed to regulating this activity is baffling.

“We are not giving up the fight to offer regulated single event sports wagering. C290NOW.ca is getting good traction and the counter has been added to drive home the point Canada can’t afford to say no to Bill C-290.

“So Senators, get off your duffs and put the focus on something other than you for a minute. Pass this bill, protect Canadians and give our border communities a reason to celebrate.”

Eight Canadian provinces, together with a slew of provincial and regional chambers of commerce, economic development committees, mayors and local regulators are supporting the passage of C-290.

“I fully support Bill C-290 because Canadians should be allowed to make fair wagers in safe, secure and regulated environments,” said Michael Graydon, President and Chief Executive Officer for the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.

“Canadian lottery jurisdictions need a level playing field. We need the opportunity to protect our players and ensure the hundreds of millions of dollars currently heading offshore stays in Canada to the benefit of our communities.”

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