Sports betting laws open up in Canada today. Who’s taking new types of bets?
Canadian sports fans can legally put money on single events like Saturday’s CFL football game between the B.C. Lions and the Ottawa Redblacks, now that provinces have the authority to regulate new forms of betting. But they won’t be doing it via mobile apps from companies like Score Media and Gaming (SCR.TO)(SCR) or DraftKings (DKNG) just yet.
Justice Minister David Lametti set Aug. 27 as the day Canada would end its long-standing requirement for wagers to be spread across multiple games and matchesat a press conference staged at an Ontario casino on Aug. 12.
The tweak to Canada’s Criminal Code is a game-changer for the country’s casino and gaming industry, as well as provincial lottery corporations. Each have reportedly missed out on billions in revenue as Canadian sports fans flocked to offshore sports betting websites offering less restricted action.
Single-Event Wagering Kicks In
Betting on a single sporting event in Canada was legalized in June, when the Canadian Senate approved Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, to offer residents in the country a new type of wagering and expand opportunities for sports betting operators.
With provisions for every province to create its own framework for sports betting in the bill, many of the provinces began preparations long before Bill C-218 was passed in the Senate to be able to introduce the new sports wagering in the shortest period after its approval.
By the time of the bill passage, BCLC was expected to be the operator to launch single-event sports betting first via its PlayNow.com website, and now the website is ready to accept the first single-event wagers on the outcome of a match, or a racing or a fighting event.
This is a landmark moment for BCLC and our players. We’re excited to enhance our offerings on PlayNow.com, the only gambling website operating in BC where revenue goes back to British Columbians by supporting provincial initiatives like healthcare, education, and community programs.”
Lynda Cavanaugh, Interim President and CEO, BCLC
Residents in British Columbia can try their luck on the outcome of Saturday’s football game between the BC Lions and Ottawa Redblacks, or any of the sporting events included in the offering at PlayNow, among which is this Sunday’s boxing match between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley.