Commissioners from the MLB, NBA, CFL, NHL and MLS signed a letter supporting legal sportsbetting which was sent to the Canadian federal government.
“[The leagues] support an amendment to Canada’s federal laws that would authorize provinces to offer betting on single sporting events. Sports betting already happens illegally in Canada; creating a legal framework would shift consumers from illicit, unregulated markets to a legal and safe marketplace. Regulating single-game betting would allow for strong consumer protections as well as safeguards to further protect the integrity of sports”
A copy of the letter was sent to Candian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the country’s finance minister, justice minister & attorney general.
What is the Canadian sports betting landscape?
Pro Sports Leagues Support Legal Canadian Sportsbetting estimates Pro Sports Leagues Support Legal Canadian Sportsbetting is wagered by Canadians annually with offshore sportsbooks, while only $500 million is wagered through regulated channels.Canada sports betting bill in the works
Canada sports betting’s best chance of federal legislation looks to be the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. The bill was introduced in Parliament in February.
Co-sponsor Kevin Waugh told the Windsor Star he hoped to fast-track the bill for passage this summer.
Pro Sports Leagues Support Legal Canadian SportsbettingFellow bill co-sponsor Brian Masse previously warned that Canada could lose tax dollars as citizens cross the border to bet in Michigan. The vast majority of Canada’s population lives within 100 miles of the US border.
Canadian-based theScore also welcomed the calls for federal betting legislation.
“We’re often asked by our Canadian users how they can bet through theScore, a sports media platform they already know and trust, versus the current list of unregulated offshore providers,” said CEO John Levy.
“When the opportunity to do that arises, theScore will be ready to offer Canadians a truly best-in-class mobile sports betting experience with theScore Bet.”
