Canadians finally have a date set for the launch of single-sports betting across the country. The ruling federal Liberal government has set August 27 as that day. David Lametti, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the official announcement on the afternoon of Thursday, July 12 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Currently, only parlay wagering is considered a legal form of sports betting under the Canadian Criminal Code.
Single Sports Betting to be True on August 27, 2021
- The launch of single sports betting across Canada has been set for Thursday, August 27
- The Safe And Regulated Sports Betting Act, which legalizes single sports betting in the country, was passed into law on June 22
- It received Royal Assent from the Office of the Governor-General of Canada on June 29
The nearly two-month wait for Canadians to be given the chance to place bets on single sports events has finally come to an end. The Safe And Regulated Sports Betting Act, which legalizes single sports betting in the country, had been sitting on the desk of David Lametti, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, since it was granted Royal Assent on June 29.
Under Canadian law, there are three steps for a bill to become law. The longest journey is the path through Parliament. A bill needs to achieve safe passage through both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada. That came to be on June 22, when the Senate passed Bill C-218, as The Safe And Regulated Sports Betting Act is also known, without amendment, confirming it as law.
Next, Royal Assent must be granted by the Office of the Governor-General. That came on June 29. Then the waiting game began.
Finally, Lametti made the announcement on July 12. “I am pleased to announce that single event sports betting will be legal in Canada on August 27,” Lametti said.
Changing The Code
Unlike the USA, where the legalization of sports betting in 2018 completely changed the landscape of wagering across the nation, Canadians have been able to legally wager on sports for nearly three decades. However, wagering was limited to parlays, which is the combining of a number of bets into one play.
Bill C-218 wasn’t creating new law. It was merely amending the current Canadian Criminal Code to permit wagering on single sporting events.
Much Still Remains Uncertain
While Canadians now know the date that they can make single sports bets, the federal government had little else to offer on how sports betting will work in the country.
That’s because the regulation of single event sports betting will be up to the discretion of each province and territory with the exception of horse racing, which remains under the regulation and supervision of the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency.
“Canadians will have the opportunity to participate in single event sport betting in a regulated and safe environment, at the discretion of the provinces and territories,” Lametti explained.
It is confirmed that there will be both online and mobile elements to Canadian sports betting moving forward.
It’s unclear how each Canadian province will approach the new sports betting world. Ontario has suggested that it will be open to any and all organizations that display a willingness and a capability to gain a licence to operate a sports betting site. At the same time, ProLine, Ontario’s government-run sports betting operation, recently added an online element and mobile app. To encourage new players to sign up for the service, they are offering a $50 in bonus funds to the first 5,000 who join.
Other provinces such as British Columbia, which already has PlayNow, its own online site, may opt to go it alone and not open up to private sports betting sites in search of a licence.
The types of betting markets and betting lines that will be offered is also uncertain. For example, at this juncture, it’s not clear whether wagering will be offered in such popular Canadian leagues as junior hockey or university sports.
“My understanding is that will be up to the provinces,” Lametti said.
Several of the prominent American-based sports betting sites are lining up to get in on the Canadian action. FanDuel and DraftKings both indicated their plans to move into Canada. BetMGM hired Canadian hockey icon Wayne Gretzky as a brand ambassador. Penn National Gaming purchased Canadian media and betting service theScore for a $2 billion price tag.
Where to Bet On Sports In Canada
Canadians don’t have to wait until August 27 to wager on single sports betting. There are a number of leading online betting sites that will provide bettors with the chance to place a wager in Canada, whether it be a moneyline or point spread wager, a future book bet, a parlay wager, or a player or team prop wager. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the right deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out Sports Interaction and Bet99 as examples.
The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you’ll get a good deal wherever you go, why not check out several sites and find the ideal fit for your needs?
Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you’re already a winner.
Remember that new players and returning customers are eligible for better bonuses when they deposit using Bitcoin. As well, take advantage of the betting advice offered at these sites to help newcomers acclimatize to sports betting.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the right one for you:
