There are many laws on the books in Canada and other countries that were created years ago for valid reasons. Today, though, society seems to have outgrown some of these laws, and many are pushing to change them. One of those laws makes it illegal to wager on the outcome of a single sports game. In Canada, it is only legal to place a parlay bet on sporting events, where you must correctly pick the outcome of at least two games. This law has been around since the 1960s, when it was enacted in part in response to a concern about fixing matches. But as that concern has begun to wane, as other countries such as the United States have embraced single-sports gambling, and as plenty of people wager on sports events illegally anyway, the Canadian government is considering changing the law.
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Single wagering is going on anyway
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One of the reasons people say single-sports betting should be legalized is that the practice is happening anyway right now — only illegally. In fact, according to the Canadian Gaming Association, Canadians wager roughly $14 billion annually on single sporting events with illegal outfits. Most of that is done through bookies in Canada, but another $4 billion is wagered on online sportsbooks that are based in other countries.
The total of the legal sports betting action? That’s only a mere $500 million through channels such as the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s Sports Action.
Those who are in favor of changing the law point to these numbers as a main reason why. Canada is losing out on valuable tax dollars by keeping single-sports betting illegal in the country. If Canadians are going to bet on single-sports games no matter what, why not make it legal and take reap the rewards? Get in on the action now at the online sportsbook below.
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The tone of professional leagues has changed
There once was a time when professional sports leagues such as the National Hockey League fought vigorously against legalizing sports betting of any kind. In fact, all four of the major North American professional sports leagues — the NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB — along with the NCAA petitioned big time to keep sports betting illegal in the United States last year.
However, those leagues lost the battle in court, and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1970s law that banned sports betting. Now, each state in America has the right to make their own rules when it comes to sports gambling.
Since that happened in May 2018, the professional sports leagues have taken a different tone, embracing sports gambling — whether they like it or not. These leagues have even entered partnerships with some of the major sportsbook companies so they can capitalize on potential revenue and fan engagement opportunities themselves.
Where changes stand
The change in America around sports betting has lit a fire under those in Canada who are hopeful for a similar resolution. Candidates for government positions are pushing for legalization, and organizations backed by the lottery commissions, the CGA and sportsbooks are hoping to influence those who make the decisions.
Similar bills to legalize single-sports betting were shot down in one form or another in 2012, 2015 and 2016, but there is renewed hope for success this time around. If and when the practice is legalized across Canada, many provinces are ready to jump on the opportunity. The BCLC, for example, already offers sports betting parlays through playnow.com, and it most likely wouldn’t take them long to expand their offerings. Want to get in on the sports betting action now? Check out the online sportsbooks below.
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