Canadian Senate readies for single-game betting debate

The Canadian Senate is preparing for the controversial debate of private member bill C-290 which will allow for betting on single event sports games in Canada.

The bill has garnered wide-spread criticism from pro and amateur sporting leagues, problem gambling specialists and politicians on its passage through the House of Commons where it passed with unanimous consent, spending little under an hour under scrutiny, following sole testimony from the Canadian Gaming Association.

Liberal Sen. George Baker, an outspoken critic of the bill, expects the bill to die in the Senate this week.  He criticises the way the bill was passed in the House earlier this year and takes issue with opponents not being given the opportunity to address their concerns to MP’s.  “The legislative function in the House of Commons is in omni shambles,” he said.

The Toronto Sun quotes Tory Sen. Bob Runciman who said he admits that how the bill passed in the House deserves legitimate criticism but also thinks the bill could still stand on its merits after senators take a closer look at the legislation. “I haven’t given up the ghost yet,” Runciman said.

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