• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Legal Sports Betting in Canada Appears Imminent

  • Single-event sports betting could be legalized nationwide in Canada.
  • Every year, Canadians wager around $7.9 billion through illegal sportsbooks.
Alex Brooks – Front Office Sports

Sports betting north of the border? You can bank on it.

Canada’s House of Commons passed a bill allowing for single-event sports gambling by a 303-15 margin. The measure, which has the support of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will go through hearings in the Justice Committee, and then on to the senate.

If the bill is approved as written, single-event sports betting would be legalized nationwide with regulation in the hands of provinces and territories. 

In June, the commissioners of the NBA, NHL, MLB, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Football League wrote a letter to Trudeau and other top officials calling for legalized gambling in the country. Such a move could lure gamblers away from a thriving black market.

  • Every year, Canadians wager around $7.9 billion through illegal sportsbooks, which are often run by organized crime operations, per the Canadian Gaming Association.
  • The association estimates that Canadians put an additional $3.2 billion into offshore online sportsbooks, with only $393.9 million passing through legal Canadian channels.

In the U.S., sports betting legislation continues its inexorable move through the states. A bill to legalize the practice in Arizona passed a Senate committee on Wednesday, and could make it to the full Senate in March.

Louisiana is sorting out taxes and regulations after legalizing sports betting in 55 of its 64 parishes, including the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. Ohio is starting to look at the issue, and numbers from some neighboring states may provide motivation to legalize.

Michiganders are off to a flying start, wagering $115.2 million in the first ten days of legal sports gambling in the state, which generated about $4.4 million in tax revenue.

Pennsylvanians placed $615.3 million in sports bets in January, 94% of which were placed online.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB Extends Leaves of Clase, Ortiz as Betting Probe Continues

Their paid non-disciplinary leaves have been extended “until further notice.”
Mar 12, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani talks with translator Ippei Mizuhara in the dugout against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.

Bookie Believes Shohei Ohtani ‘Was Aware’ of Interpreter’s Gambling

Mathew Bowyer ran the illegal gambling business used by interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
Donald Trump Jr

Kalshi Advisor Donald Trump Jr. Joins Rival Polymarket Board

Polymarket appears to be on the verge of returning to the U.S.
Veronica Burton

Dildo Markets, Diaper Bidens: Polymarket, Kalshi Push Limits of Hawking Prediction Markets

The companies don’t face the same regulatory risk as traditional sportsbooks.

Featured Today

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, August 31, 2025.

Underdog Bets on Prediction Markets With Crypto.com Deal

Sports event contracts will be offered in 16 states.
Saquon Barkley
August 25, 2025

NFL Warns Prediction Markets Are Sports Betting With Less Oversight

League officials say the markets “mimic” sports betting.
Rob Bonta
August 29, 2025

Users Sue Daily Fantasy Companies After California Calls Them Illegal

Underdog Sports and Boom Fantasy were separately sued.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
Malik Beasley
August 22, 2025

Malik Beasley Could Still Be Charged in Gambling Probe Despite Feds Dropping..

Beasley’s lawyer is hoping his client can return to the NBA.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
August 20, 2025

FanDuel Enters Prediction Markets, but With No Sports

The company is partnering with derivatives exchange CME Group.
Dec 18, 2024; Inglewood, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels defensive back Rashod Tanner (41) celebrates after defeating the California Golden Bears in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
August 20, 2025

Robinhood Reactivates Sports Contracts in NJ and NV, Sues State Regulators

The suits were filed the same day Robinhood announced new football offerings.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) and quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrate after a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
August 19, 2025

Robinhood to Roll Out Football Prediction Markets

The new event contracts come on the heels of Kalshi’s expanded football offerings.