Canadian single-event sports betting becomes government bill

The Canadian Gaming Association announced on its website today that the Federal Government intends to pick up Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, and turn it a government bill.

The bill is being introduced today in the House of Commons by the Justice Minister as "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (single event sport betting)."

Here is the CGA's statement:

"The CGA is pleased that the federal government has recognized the urgent need to amend the Criminal Code to offer safeguards to Canadians as well as an economic recovery tool for the provinces.

By introducing a government bill, the industry can be assured that it will be dealt with in a timely manner and will benefit from all-party support to see it through.

Amending the Criminal Code to legalize single-event sports wagering will provide provinces with the necessary tools to deliver a safe and legal option to Canadians while enabling economic benefits to flow to licensed gaming operators, communities and provincial governments. We can’t emphasize enough how this small change to the Criminal Code will help communities recover from the economic devastation of the COVID-19 shutdown."