Casino Union Backs Single Game Sports Betting
The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) trade union, which represents 200,000 workers across the country, including those in the hotel and casino industries, has given its support to an idea to introduce single-game sports betting in the country.
The proposal was made by Windsor-Tecumseh NDP MP Joe Comartin, who asked that the House of Commons to change the Canadian criminal code to allow for single-game sports betting to be legalized once and for all.
The CAW, which represents workers at the Casino Windsor, publicly supported the idea, with CAW Local 444 president, Rick Laporte saying: "I'm obviously in support of it. It's the only way to go to be totally honest with you. It sets us apart from the US and the Detroit casinos."
Comartin claims that the single-sports industry is controlled by organized
crime - a view not shared by everyone who is backing his idea - and that "this
is a very important and simple bill" from that perspective. Canadians spend $2
billion on off-shore single game sports betting, it has been estimated.
The Canadian MP also quoted statistics from the latest Canadian Gaming
Association report which shows that the introduction of single-game sports
betting could generate 150 jobs at Casino Windsor and would have a positive
effect on related industries.
Laporte added: "I think it would bring people over and bring customers over. Money would be spent on food and everything else. It mushrooms out. I'm baffled myself as to why they have not amended the criminal code to make that happen."
Single Game Sports Betting Generates Millions
Canadians just need to look across the border to realize just how much money can be generated from legal sports betting. Each year, visitors to Las Vegas spend millions betting on the Super Bowl. An additional 250,000 visitors reportedly swooped in on Sin City especially for Super Bowl 2011. Not only did they spend money on sports betting, but on accommodation, food and other services.
According to Laporte, representing the casino union which backs sports betting, legalized single game sports betting has the potential to generate $70 million in Windsor and about half that amount in the Niagara Falls region.
"I'm hopeful we'll be able to get single game sports betting here," he said. "I think it's a good thing. If it's a positive thing for us, why wouldn't we do it?"
