Gladly, Canada’s for the fleecing.

by mr.zoltanblack | July 3, 2008 at 10:35 am | 186 views | 1 comment

As an avid online gambler I have sent money to many international countries. Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru, Barbados, Guyana and surprisingly even The UK where industry stalwart’s Bowmans International makes their home.

Call me a patriot, call me a homer but just two days removed from Canada’s 144th I would love the opportunity to keep my $$ at home. If sports-books become available in Ontario or anywhere else in Canada for that matter, I will swear off all International competition in the name of keeping a fellow Canuck employed. Gambling is my problem, not the governments and if my gambling dollar can be used not only to employ fellow Canadians but also to boost local economy’s then why not?

You also want to better compete with the Internet and you would actually give a legal outlet for activities that are happening illegally," he said.

Currently, Canadian gamblers skirt the law by betting with sportsbooks located in the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and a slew of other countries. As well, underground betting brings in untold millions for illegal operators at home.

North American professional sports leagues have traditionally opposed sportsbooks, which is one reason why Las Vegas is not home to any major league teams.

Because Niagara, Windsor and Rama do not have big-league hockey, football, baseball or soccer teams, sportsbook supporters do not foresee problems with the leagues. "What are the Toronto Maple Leafs going to do – move if there's a sportsbook in Niagara Falls?" said one backer.

Z.Black