Sports Betting in Canada: Legal Perspectives from Two Years of Legal Single-Game Wagering

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review The review examines the sports gambling landscape in Canada, with a particular focus on Ontario, 2 years since the launch of regulated single-game sports wagering. Recent Findings Extensive academic attention has been given to the legalization of sports wagering in the USA; however, much less consideration has been given to the emergence of legalized sports betting in Canada. Summary Two years into legalized single-game wagering, the market in Canada is beginning to take shape. Ontario set out on a unique experiment allowing former gray market operators to enter the regulated market; no other province has elected to forego its monopoly and allow private entities to compete. Canada’s new market was accompanied by an influx of sports gambling commercials evoking concern and criticism from consumer advocates, addiction experts, and the broader public. Also, it has been argued that the advancement and utility of responsible gambling programming have not kept pace with the sports gambling surge. Legislation for tighter gambling advertising has been introduced. While there has been an influx of advertising and concerns regarding the need for more attention to be devoted to responsible gambling, Ontario’s experiment in allowing former gray market operators to enter the regulated market seems to be at least an early success. It is expected that regulatory attention and public health concerns will persist as the Canadian sports gambling market evolves.