Canadian lawmakers vote against single game betting

The wide range of Canadian gambling entities and punters who were hoping to see single game betting legalised will be disappointed today following a negative vote in the House of Commons which defeated a proposal 156 vs. 133.

Private Member Bill C-221 authored by Windsor MP Brian Masse sought to liberate Canadian sports betting from the current parlay format restriction to single game betting and was widely supported, but clearly not by the political establishment.

The rejection in the Commons represents a massive about turn by lawmakers, who back in 2012 voting overwhelmingly in favour of the change (see previous reports) only to see the then C-290 bill stalled and run out of time in the Senate.

In this week’s vote lawmakers were given a free vote by their parties, and there was some optimism that C-221 would again be approved by a large margin, but it was not to be.

Canadian punters and gambling organisations are now left wondering whether their politicians will ever pay heed to public preferences, but face the likelihood that it may be some time before another bill can be presented and enough support mustered to bring about change.

The punters will probably do what they have always done; eschew Canada-based gambling opportunities in favour of offshore operators.