Canada will get another chance to approve single-game sports betting legislation, although doubts remain as to whether the push will have any more success this time around.
Canada’s House of Commons approved the C-290 sports betting bill in 2012, only to see it languish in the Senate for three years before it officially died of neglect when the writ dropped on the federal election this summer. Former New Democratic Party (NDP) legislator Joe Comartin introduced the private member’s bill and current NDP legislator Brian Masse says he will introduce a similar private member’s bill at his earliest opportunity.
Masse, whose Windsor, Ontario constituency includes a Caesars Entertainment-operated casino, told CBC News that he would work with the other parties to ensure “everyone is comfortable” with the new legislation. Much of C-290’s opposition in the Senate was based on the perception that the bill had been rushed through the House of Commons without sufficient scrutiny.
Canada held federal elections this month that pushed the Conservative party out of power and elevated the third-place Liberals to a parliamentary majority. Masse’s NDP was relegated to third place and the new sports betting bill likely won’t be a priority for the Liberals. Furthermore, even if the Liberals support the new bill, the Tories continue to hold a majority in the unelected Senate and could decide it owes neither the Liberals nor the NDP any favors, so don’t hold your breath.