Hi this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “
I know this isn’t the biggest issue in the Federal Election, but let’s talk sports gambling.
The Canadian Gaming Association says Canadians bet around 4-BILLION dollars a year on online sports betting; that is, wagering through websites outside of the Canadian criminal code jurisdiction- websites like Bet365.
Four BILLION Dollars !!!
Here’s the issue; compare the 4 billion online to the $ 500 million wagered through official sports lottery products offered by the provinces, such as Pro-Line here in Ontario.
So by my count, that’s $ 3.5 Billion Canadian dollars going elsewhere.
Knowing our Federal government always wants their hands on constituents money, I can’t understand why they wouldn’t legalize single game sports betting.
Can this country afford NOT to generate an extra 3 billion in taxable revenues ?
I told you back in April during a 4 day junket to Vegas, I bet NHL Playoffs, NBA Playoffs plus Major League Baseball and had a ball.
I probably bet on a dozen games a day, every day, for 4 days.
Since returning from Vegas, I’ve played ProLine………. twice.
There’s no shortage of issues for Canada as we head to October 19th, but any party, even Trudeau’s, that pledged to implement legalized sports gambling would get my vote.
I’m Fred Wallace