Single sports betting officially legal, but more needs to be done on the provincial level
A more than 10-year long struggle to legalize single-game sports betting has finally been achieved.
“It’s an opportunity not only for casino Caesar’s but for an opportunity for this country to grow up when it comes to responsible gambling,” said Windsor West NDP candidate Brian Masse, who long fought for the bill.
Many in the community celebrated the achievements of Masse’s former bill C218 becoming law on Friday.
“The reality is that today the hard work of Brian Masse, the hard work of NDP in the last 10 years and the parliament have now come to light,” said Ken Lewenza, former CAW national president.
“Now that single sports betting is law and in effect that means more potential jobs here in Windsor and definitely more options for our customers,” Dana Dunphy, Unifor Local 444 Caesars Windsor chair, said.
Although single sports betting is now officially federal law, provinces still need to step up regulations for the industry.
“We are passing the torch right now to the Province of Ontario and all the other provinces,” Masse said. “Every day that this does not become into fruition means around $2 million to organized crime.”
Windsor West MPP Liza Gretzky said they will continue to work with Unifor to push the province to “do the right thing.”
“To dream big and to get this done long before December happens. we cannot afford to continue to be behind other provinces when we know that this has been coming for months,” she said.
“This will allow us to be competitive in this difficult market especially being a border city with three resort casinos across the river,” Dunphy said.
She said they will continue to work with Masse and Gretzky on pushing the provincial government to get this moving as quick as possible.
“Our members need this to be operational now, we can’t wait any longer,” Dunphy said. “Michigan already has single sports betting in place. Unfortunately we are already behind the eight ball but hoping real soon to have it up and running and operational.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.