Two Thirds of Canadians Support Senate Passage of C-290

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Dec 12, 2012, 08:10 ET

OTTAWA, Dec. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Two-thirds of Canadians support the passage of Bill C-290, which would legalize single-event sports betting in Canada. Bill C-290, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Sports Betting) was first introduced in September of 2011 and was passed with the unanimous support of all parties in the House of Commons this past March.

"Right now, over $10 billion is being wagered through illegal sports betting every year in Canada, and a further $4 billion is wagered online through illegal offshore betting websites. We need to bring more regulation and enforcement to this otherwise overlooked problem, and that begins with the passage of Bill C-290," said Bill Rutsey, the President of the Canadian Gaming Association.

In research conducted by Ipsos Reid, it was revealed that a majority of Canadians support the passage of Bill C-290, and that the more they learn about the extent of the problem, the more their support for action on this issue increases.

"In addition to having the support of a majority of Canadians, the changes proposed in Bill C-290 have also been supported by 8 provincial governments, who agree that the current framework of laws is outdated and needs to be modernized to help address some of the serious issues with illegal sports betting in Canada," said Mr. Rutsey.

More information about the research and methodology of the study completed by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the Canadian Gaming Association may be found at www.ipsos-na.com.

About the Canadian Gaming Association.
The fundamental goal of the Canadian Gaming Association (www.canadiangaming.ca) is to create balance in the public dialogue about gaming in Canada. Our members are among the largest most established gaming operators, suppliers and gaming equipment manufacturers in Canada. Our mandate is to create a better understanding of the gaming industry through education and advocacy.

FACT SHEET

TOP SIX FACTS ABOUT SINGLE EVENT SPORTS BETTING IN CANADA

Single event sports betting in Canada is a huge business, estimated to be in excess of $10 billion annually (and as much as $40 billion) conducted illegally through bookies by organized crime, and $4 billion through offshore internet sites that are not regulated by Canadian provincial regulators.
Parlay style sports betting (betting on two or more events) has existed in Canada for more than two decades.
All parties in the House of Commons unanimously approved this bill on March 2, 2012.
The Federal Minister of Justice has received letters from the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario requesting the criminal code be amended to permit single event sports wagering. The provinces of Quebec, PEI and New Brunswick have also indicated support for the amendment.
All the expert witnesses appearing before the Senate Committee, representing the legal, law enforcement, academic, regulatory and problem gambling research and treatment communities, recommended to passage of Bill C-290.
Canada will not be a pioneer. Besides Nevada, single event sports' betting is legal in Great Britain, Europe, and Australia.