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The British Columbia Lottery Corporation is urging the Government of Canada to allow single-event sports bets.
Players are currently making single-event sports bets on websites operating illegally in B.C., asPlayNow.com is the only regulated gambling website in the province. As a result, legalizing single-betting would create a new suite of legal sports-betting opportunities, explains a release from the BCLC.
More than two-thirds of B.C.’s online gambling market use PlayNow.com, which the BCLC says demonstrates 'a clear preference of players to use a regulated website with strong player health, integrity and security safeguards.'
“Our players have wanted single-event sports betting for a long time. For example, this weekend is the Super Bowl and our players want to be able to simply bet on the winner, which they are unable to do under the current legislation,” says Stewart Groumoutis, BCLC’s director of eGaming.
Image source: Shutterstock. British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) urges Ottawa consist Invoice C-13, the legislation that would allow Canadians to enter into sports betting for individual events. Currently, BC players can only place sports bets on individual events if they go over the limit Washington Casinos or on unregulated offshore websites. With sports betting. BCLC is urging Ottawa to pass proposed legislation, known as Bill C-13, to allow Canadians to make single-event sports bets. Currently, bettors can only place parlays — bets on the outcome of two.
“We’re encouraging the federal government to modernize laws so we can provide single-event betting to our players and generate additional revenue to support provincial programs.”
Long-term single-event sports betting in B.C.
BCLC is urging Ottawa to pass proposed legislation, known as Bill C-13, to allow Canadians to make single-event sports bets. “Our players have wanted single-event sports betting for a long time. For example, this weekend is the Super Bowl and our players want to be able to simply bet on the winner, which they are unable to do under the current legislation,” says Stewart Groumoutis, BCLC’s. The British Columbia Lottery Corporation, also simply known as the BCLC, is the provincial government run corporation that oversees all of the gambling done in British Columbia. This includes horse betting, slots, lotteries, casinos and of course sports betting. The BCLC is the first provincial sports lottery to run an online betting.
Down the road, in land-based casinos and community gaming centres, the BCLC says it would work with industry, regulator and government partners to introduce licensed sportsbooks in key markets.
The lottery corporation adds that it would consider 'enhanced sports-betting offerings' at hospitality locations across B.C. that sell lottery products. For example, players would be able to place a bet on the Canucks game outcome, and follow along while at their local bar or pub.
The BCLC expects single-event sports betting would generate an estimated $125 to $175 million in additional revenue through online and land-based opportunities.
Currently, B.C. players are only able to place single-event sports bets by going across the border to Washington State casinos, or on unregulated off-shore websites. If single-event sports betting is legalized, the BCLC can shift this play to B.C. casinos and PlayNow.com, where the health of players is prioritized and where revenue helps support provincial initiatives such as healthcare, education and community programs.
Play for fun, not to make money
PlayNow.com is the only online gambling website in North America and one of the few in the world with dedicated player-health specialists available via telephone and online chat to support players with healthy play habits or refer them to treatment and support services if needed. These specialists are also available in every B.C. casinos and community gaming centre, where they are known as GameSense Advisors.
In the 2019/20 fiscal year, money from the BCLC generated $1.3 billion in net income for the Province of B.C., which helps support education, community programs and healthcare.
American roulette wheel. An American roulette wheel has 38 equal-sized divisions. First there are the numbers 1 through 36. These are joined by a pair of zeros – featuring the numbers ‘0’ and ‘00’. In other versions of the game, such as European and French roulette wheels, you’ll find just a single zero.
The BCLC offers this reminder: 'Remember, play for fun, not to make money.'
Parlays only right now
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is pushing the Canadian government to approve legislation to allow single-event sports betting in the country. Bill C-13, introduced last year, is under consideration in 2021. It gained support from lawmakers as well as from groups like the BCLC over the past few months.
BCLC posted about the legislation via Twitter:
Currently in Canada, players can only make parlay bets, combing a minimum of three games into a single wager. Players would prefer the option to wager on a single game as the likelihood of winning is much higher than on multiple games.
Could open up more betting options
The BCLC is encouraging the federal government in Canada to modernize current sports betting laws with the passage of C-13. The director of eGaming for the BCLC, Stewart Groumoutis, pointed out that additional revenues generated could support programs in provinces throughout the country.
players want to be able to bet on the winner”
Mr. Groumoutis stated further that players have wanted access to single-game wagering for quite some time. He pointed out the upcoming Super Bowl and how “players want to be able to bet on the winner, which they are unable to do under the current legislation.”
The only regulated online gambling site available in British Columbia is PlayNow.com. With single-event wagering as an option, the operator could offer an additional suite of betting opportunities for players.
The BCLC has plans to introduce licensed sportsbooks in key markets of Canada. The group will work with local governments, regulators, and industry shareholders to bring this gaming option to life.
The BCLC would also consider adding enhanced betting options at hospitality locations that currently offer lottery gaming. Players would be able to wager on a sporting event at such locations and then follow the game elsewhere. Revenue estimates for the new betting options range from $125m to $175m.
Player safety
Another reason for the push to legalize single-event betting is player safety. To place such bets now, players have to either travel to casinos in the United States or use unregulated, off-shore websites.
If the activity is approved, casinos in British Columbia and the PlayNow website can offer a safer environment for such wagering. The revenues generated will support programs in Canadian provinces such as education and community needs.
PlayNow.com supports player health by offering specialists via online chat or telephone. The provider offers services to promote healthy playing habits and gives referrals for treatment and support when needed.
Introducing legislation
In November, Conservative MP for Saskatoon-Grasswood Kevin Waugh introduced C-218 in the House of Commons in Ottawa, the second time the legislation was proposed. Titled “The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act,” the bill seeks to repeal the portion of Canada’s Criminal Code which specifically limits bettors to three games per wager.
provide an all-around economic boost and safeguards for bettors
Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti proposed C-13 just a few weeks later, in late November 2020. The Canadian Gaming Association broke the news of the bill’s introduction, stating that the change to Canadian law would provide an all-around economic boost and safeguards for bettors.
Bclc Sports Betting Rules
C-13 will allow provinces and territories to have control over single-event sports betting regulations. If passed, bettors could wager at land-based venues or online. The bill also focuses on horse racing, which is still restricted to parlay betting. The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency would supervise that segment of the industry.