Canada Sports Betting Bill Opposed by Federal Liberals

The Canada sports betting bill, introduced by a private member, will be opposed by Federal Liberals, who previously supported a similar bill.

Federal Liberals will vote against the Canada sports betting bill, also known as the regulated sports betting act. Bill C-221, introduced by a private member, is similar to Bill C-290 that was introduced years ago and enjoyed the full support of the Liberals. It would amend the Criminal Code’s paragraph on sports betting in Canada“to make it lawful for the government of a 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.” 

The new Canada sports betting bill would increase the revenues of the provinces, said Brian Masse, Windsor West, NDP. However, the Liberals are concerned that it would ruin the integrity of sport events. “It is possible, as suggested by many sports leagues, that legalizing single-event sports betting could encourage gamblers to fix games,” said Sean Casey, Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons.

Canada sports betting bill attacked by Federal Liberals

Masse told Canadian gambling news that Casey “actually spoke in favour of the bill previously.” He thinks that the Liberals have “poorly planned this out,” adding that Casey’s “arguments against the bill were based upon information that’s more than three years old.” Casey argued that legal sports betting would lead to more gambling addiction, citing a report by the Centre for Addiction.