Sports-Betting Bill Clears Another Hurdle
The attention of the Ontario horse-racing industry has understandably been on the fallout from the Drummond Report since its announcement two weeks ago, but during that time there has been a relatively significant announcement in regard to MP Joe Comartin's bill to legalize single-game sports betting
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It was reported in a February 17 article by The Windsor Star that Comartin's legislation was passed unanimously by the Parliament's standing committee on justice and human rights.
The bill will now get a third reading in the House of Commons, expected this spring. From there, if passed, the bill would head to the Senate.
The report has cited Comartin's legislative aide, Ian McMahon, as saying that the MP is "pretty positive (the bill) will pass soon."
(With files from The Windsor Star)
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Here is the summary of Bill
Here is the summary of Bill C-290 as published on the Parliament of Canada website:
SUMMARY
This enactment repeals paragraph 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code to make it lawful for the government of a province, or a person or entity licensed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of that province, to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in the province that involves betting on a race or fight or on a single sport event or athletic contest.
Unfortunately for the racing industry the wording of this bill leaves it to the government of a province to decide what venues have the ability to offer sports wagering. Since Mr. McGuinty's government seems to be against this industry at the moment, I highly doubt that racetracks will be allowed to offer this kind of wagering.