Canada set to legalize single-game sports betting

Single-game sports betting is set to become legal in Canada after Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, was officially passed in the Senate of Canada on Tuesday.

The private member's bill - sponsored by Conservative MP Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon-Grasswood) - passed without amendment, by a vote of 57 to 20 (five abstentions). Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government will decide on a date when the legalization of single-game sports betting will take effect.

The UPDATE you've been waiting for: Bill #C218 has officially passed in the Senate & will become law in the coming days. I'm honoured to have worked to make single-event sports betting legal in Canada. #cdnpoli #nlpoli @KevinWaugh_CPC @SenateCA

- Senator David Wells (@wellsdavid) June 22, 2021

The bill signals a major shift in Canada: single-game sports betting has been legal in the country but only via parlay wagers. Canadians will now have the ability to bet on single-game matches across sports (excluding horse racing), with the government set to collect taxes on estimated billions of dollars currently being wagered illegally.

Waugh issued a statement Tuesday evening celebrating the passage of the bill, calling it "a victory for Canadian sport, sport fans, and businesses." He added:

Following this legislation becoming law, provincial governments will be responsible for implementing regulations and wagering operators in their jurisdictions. I call on provincial governments to act as quickly as possible to get the necessary regulations and licenses in place so that all Canadians can begin to place their wagers.

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