Windsor loses millions on Super Bowl XLIX

By Christian Bouchard

Legalizing Single-game betting

Feb 2, 2015

 

Windsor loses millions on Super Bowl XLIX

Jordan Caschera fills out a Pro-line slip on Friday, Feb. 6. (Photo by Christian Bouchard)

 

 

Windsor is just one of many Canadian cities to lose out on millions of dollars due to the Senate stalling Bill C-290.

 

Bill C-290 was introduced into the House of Commons on Sept. 28, 2011 by Joe Comartin, M.P. for Windsor-Tecumseh. It would allow gamblers across Ontario to bet on single game sporting events.

 

“We would get a ton of business from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and not to mention our local action,” said Joe Carnevale, an advocate for single game sports betting in Windsor. “We need it in our community. Not just to create jobs, but to shore up the jobs we have now.”

 

As it stands, gamblers must wager a minimum of three games and correctly predict the outcome of each in order to win. This is known as a parlay bet. It’s more difficult to win as the odds of winning decrease with the more games needed to win.

In essence, the bill would eliminate the Criminal Code section that prohibits betting on a single race, fight, sporting event or athletic contest.

 

The Canadian Gaming Association estimates $150 million was wagered illegally in Canada this year on the Super Bowl. This is compared to the $3 million through legal sports lotteries.

 

According to a report by the Canadian Gaming Association, Caesars Windsor and Fallsview Casino located in Niagara Falls could add an estimated 250 full-time jobs if the bill is passed.

 

Local MP Brian Masse is one of many people fighting for the bill to pass the Senate. He said the legalization of single event sports betting will benefit Windsor because it will attract many Americans.

 

Bill C-290 was passed unanimously in the House of Commons in 2012 but has been with the Senate ever since. Carnevale said Windsor and the casino are losing out on more than just the Super Bowl. He believes action should be taken soon to legalize the bill.

 

“It’s not just the Super Bowl. It’s the NCAA March Madness, it’s all the college football games and more,” said Carnevale. “People would stay for days on end at our casino. If they came from out of town, they would stay long enough to collect their winnings at least. Our downtown restaurants and hotels would benefit tremendously as well.”

 

With an upcoming federal election, there are worries that Bill C-290 will die in the unelected Senate and Windsor will continue to lose out on the estimated $10 billion a year sports gambling industry.

 

If the bill does not pass the Senate, the whole legislative process must start again from scratch.

 

Masse said the entire process of legalizing Bill C-290 is frustrating.

 

“Three years is long enough. We could have had hotels active and buzzing this weekend,” said Masse.

 

The union representing employees at Caesars Windsor said the change would create jobs and allow Caesars to be unique and offer a wager that is illegal at the three casinos in Detroit and another in Ohio, just 45 minutes away.

 

Gordon Watkin, 23, has been a sports fan for as long as he can remember. He said he tends to shy away from betting because of the mandatory selection of other games that come with it.

“A huge turn off of gambling through Pro-line is that I can’t bet single game events,” said Watkin. “Often I lose my overall pot because of the obligatory pick I made to process the ticket.”

 

Carnevale said he believes the odds lie better with single-game betting and it is potentially that reason why most people lean towards online gambling and other illegal methods.

 

“Pro-line or sports select take almost 40 cents of every dollar bet, while single game, if you bet $50 for example, on a football game, you wager $55 to win $50,” said Carnevale.

 

According to the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board, $116 million was wagered on this year’s Super Bowl, a slight drop from last years record-breaking $119.4 million.

 

The Canadian Gaming Association also estimated $26 million in single-event sports betting has been wagered illegally while the Senate has been debating it

 

Although there are many benefits for legalizing single-event sports betting, particularly in Windsor, many professional sports leagues strongly oppose the bill. They argue allowing single-game betting could lead to the corruption of officials and players, games being fixed, as well as social problems associated with gambling.

 

“With single game betting, I feel there’s a lot more risk for the addicted bettor,” said Babula, a 24 year old sports fan. “It comes down to that mentality of telling yourself ‘one more game,’ which can cause many people to spiral out of control.”

 

In November 2012, the NHL urged the Senate not to pass the bill, saying the game’s integrity was essential to its popularity.  Major League Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays also opposed the bill.

 

There’s no telling when the bill might be legalized but Carnevale has his predictions.

 

“In a perfect world, I would hope September of this year, but I would say maybe April 2016, realistically,” said Carnevale.