Scugog Island casino to 'keep an eye' on sportsbook betting

July 15, 2008 - 04:24

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG ISLAND -- Great Blue Heron Charity Casino officials are "keeping an eye" on the Province's idea of introducing sportsbooks to some Ontario casinos.

According to Arnold Block, general manager at the Scugog Island gaming house, efforts by the Ontario government to bring betting on single games to the Province's casinos has caught the attention of Great Blue Heron officials.

But, he stressed during an interview last week, it's "very premature" to discuss such an addition to the Scugog Island gambling facility.

First off, the federal government has to approve the necessary changes to the Criminal Code to allow wagers to be placed on individual games. Secondly, the Province has proposed sportsbook-style betting initially for only "border" casinos, such as those located in Windsor and Niagara Falls, as well as Casino Rama near Orillia, said Mr. Block.

But, whatever the future holds for sportsbooks in Ontario, "we'll look at it, certainly with interest," said Mr. Block.

Las Vegas-style sportsbooks aren't currently permitted under the Criminal Code and the only sports betting allowed in Ontario is with Pro-Line, which requires bettors to select the outcomes of three or more sports contests. Having a sportsbook would allow a gambler to bet on individual football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer and other games as opposed to the multiple "parlay" betting that exists under Pro-Line, the government-run lottery.

"At this point, it's the federal Criminal Code of Canada that prohibits single sports betting. The code has to be changed," said Anne Dunderdale, the media relations coordinator for the ministry of energy and infrastructure, which is responsible for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming.

"Following that, we'll look at it as part of our responsible gaming strategy," she said. "The minister is hopeful the federal government will be amending the Criminal Code."

George Smitherman was recently appointed the minister, having been shifted from the health ministry last month. His predecessor, David Caplan, had written to the federal government asking for changes to allow sportsbooks. Mr. Caplan was shifted to health in the shuffle.

"The current minister (Mr. Smitherman) is hopeful, but he hasn't asked them to change it," Ms. Dunderdale said. "The federal government is considering making changes. We've indicated we're open to considering it."

The proposal, however, has Durham MPP John O'Toole shaking his head in protest.

"I'm not a big supporter of gaming and games of chance," said the veteran Conservative MPP. "It's a tragedy when the Province of Ontario sees their revenue from casinos falling and they have to go to the federal government to change the Criminal Code to allow betting in the casinos so they can increase their revenue because of the sliding economy."

The idea of introducing single-game wagering, continued Mr. O'Toole, is "a very poor solution in the long-term to fund public services on gambling."

A published report noted the Province is especially interested in sportsbooks at the two Niagara Falls casinos, the new Caesars Windsor facility and the existing Casino Rama. The Niagara and Windsor facilities would attract gamblers from the United States, where sportsbooks are only allowed in Las Vegas.

Asked if sportsbook gambling would be allowed at all casinos in Ontario, Ms. Dunderdale said, "I can't speculate on specific sites. Nobody knows. The federal code has to change and we'll look at how to implement it."

Currently, Canadian gamblers skirt the law by betting with on-line sportsbooks located in the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and a slew of other countries. As well, underground betting brings in untold millions for illegal operators at home.

-- With files from Keith Gilligan, Torstar Network

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