Federal Government Introduces Bill C-13 “An Act to amend the Criminal Code (single event sport betting)”

Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti introduced Bill C-13 – “An Act to amend the Criminal Code (single event sport betting)” in the House of Commons.

The proposed changes will give provinces and territories the ability to offer single-event sport betting products and the discretion to manage single-event sport betting in their respective jurisdictions. In provinces and territories that choose to offer single-event sport betting, Canadians would have an opportunity to engage in this activity in a regulated environment, either online or in physical facilities.

The only exception to this is horse racing, as the Bill would maintain the federal government’s role concerning pari-mutuel systems of betting with respect to horse racing.

A backgrounder was released by the government that goes into further detail in addition to a news release.

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The CGA is very pleased that the Justice Minister decided to introduce a government bill today in support of single-event sports betting. The need to amend the Criminal Code has all-party support, and our expectation is that it will move expediently through the process to completion. Canada’s gaming industry has been severely impact by COVID-19 and access to this new product will help the industry to recover.

We will continue to update the industry as the Bill moves through the process.