Battle over Canadian Sports Betting Bill
This week, the Canadian Senate is scheduled to debate the controversial Canadian sports betting bill, which has already been approved by the country's House of Commons.
Bill C-290 will change the current Criminal Code, making it legal to allow single even sports betting in Canada. The law currently allows legal betting on three or more sports games at a time.
The new bill will make allowances for individual provinces to change their own regulations to offer single game betting to their residents, if they so desire.
As the debate finally comes to the senate, opponents and supporters of the bill took to the local airwaves to try and get their message across.
Sports Betting Bill in the Media
This week saw Bill C-290 debated hotly in the Canadian media. CTV's Question Period devoted a segment to the bill, where NDP MP, Brian Masse, as well as Conservative Senator Linda Frum had their say.
Masse said that regulating single game betting was the right way to go, however Senator Frum is of a different opinion. According to opponents of the bill, C-290 has not been properly studied and it was the Senate's duty to send it back to the House of Commons to ensure that it receives the attention it deserves.
According to the Frum, the Senate's role is to ensure that bills are afforded the proper scrutiny and oversight and that they are definitely the will of the general population.
"In my career in the Senate, this is the first time where we've seen an example where something got through without the proper due diligence and without the proper care," said Senator Frum.
"If we block this in the Senate it just means that it can go back to the House of Commons. And if there is a standing vote and it is proved there, then I will vote for it if it comes back to the Senate at that point. But I am not at all convinced that this has the will of the people."
Professional sports leagues also oppose the bill, saying that it has the potential to increase the risk of gambling addiction and match fixing.
MP Brian Masse Supports Bill C-290
NDP MP Brian Masse, who also appeared on Question Period, and whose opinion is supported by casino owners and gaming associations, said that Bill C-290 has the potential to create new jobs in Canada, and generate revenues for the government.
Masse also said that the bill could fight illegal gambling and "lift the veil" on single sport betting which is already happening. "The problem is that the money that goes to that is going to organized crime and to other consortiums that is not used accordingly," he told the media. "So we want to see that back in the public realm."
