Canadian Horse People Fret Over Single-Event Sports Betting

Single-event sports wagering in Ontario might be on the verge of happening following years of efforts aiming to see its introduction to the local gambling field. However, now Woodbine Entertainment, Ontario Racing, as well as other racetrack managements have voiced their concerns regarding the impact this could have on their existing operation and on the horse people in the province.

Single-event sports betting in Canada might be closer than players think, as action has once again commenced. A new private member bill introduced by Conservative MP Kevin Waugh will aim to make it possible for Canadians to place bets on single sport events. This bill also aims to make the country more competitive when it comes to sports wagering.

Single-Event Sports Betting

This week saw the relaunch of conversation on the subject, as Conservative MP Kevin Waugh is ready to fight for single-event sports wagering in Canada, as this will make the country more competitive to the United States and other countries allowing this type of betting. Bill C-218 will aim to bring single-event sports wagering within Canada and modernize the gambling field with this new wagering offering.

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However, the horse racing field of Ontario recently expressed its opposition when it comes to this gambling expansion, citing concerns regarding the potential impact it could have on the industry. Various horse racetracks, along with Ontario Racing and Woodbine Entertainment are worried about the unintentional damage this new private member bill could have on their daily operation.

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The sports wagering bill is currently reviewed by Members of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons. The issue local horse people see with this new bill is that it will introduce an expansion to the sports betting field of Canada. This is projected to make it possible for globally renowned gaming leader to highlight their own wagering on horse racing in Canada. Such a move could lead to field cannibalization.

Horse People

Throughout the years, the horse racing and gambling fields have established their functional agreements making it possible for all parties to benefit from the wagering horse racing features. Racetracks offering betting on horse events, as well as the horse people, all benefit from the relationship they have established. The horse people of Canada reach about 50,000 individuals.

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Jim Lawson, Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment, made a point that the sports wagering expansion planned with this bill would be beneficial for the country by boosting its economy. What is important for the horse people is that it should not result in the sacrificing of their future. Horse people now want to see the federal government take into account special measures protecting the horse people of Canada if this bill receives an OK.

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One of the ways in which his could happen would be through an arrangement making it single-event sports wagering on horse races available only at horse racetracks. Historical Horse Racing should also be legalized in the future, to compensate for any harm this new betting offering could do to the national horse racing field.