The Toronto Star has run an article explaining the current situation surrounding Bill C-290, the piece of single-game sports wagering legislation that was passed by the House and entered the Senate in early 2012 before stalling significantly.

The report states that many are fearing that the bill will die in the ‘Red Chamber’ in 2015 due to it being a federal election year.

Bill C-290, the private member’s bill by Joe Comartin, was submitted years ago to legalize single-game sports wagering in an effort to help struggling border casinos attract more customers via the lure of sportsbooks. With Comartin now the Commons Deputy Speaker, Senate rules forbid the bill from being altered to reflect the concerns of Senators.

As the report by the Toronto Star explains, Sen. George Baker told the Senate this past October that “there is a good chance this will be the first time in Canadian history that a bill passed unanimously in the House of Commons could be defeated in the Senate.”

In 2011, Woodbine Entertainment Group CEO Nick Eaves, who will be vacating his post effective March 31, stated that WEG was supportive of the bill, and that if sports betting was legalized “it should be included at Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks.”

(With files from the Toronto Star)