A bill legalizing bookmaking will take effect August 27, said Cabinet on August 12..“I can’t wait,” the president of a Unifor local representing casino workers told Blacklock’s Reporter..“We were the first local to be representing gaming workers,” said Dave Cassidy, president of Local 444 of Windsor, Ont..“It wasn’t just about the jobs. It was what gaming could do for communities, giving back the money that’s generated from gambling.”.“It has helped so many,” said Cassidy. “You go right across the country, whether it’s schools, whether it’s roads. Anything involved with public money, you see it going back in.”.The Senate passed by a 57-20 vote Bill C-218 An Act To Amend The Criminal Code, on June 22 that repealed an 1892 ban on single event sports betting. The bill, sponsored by Conservative MP Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon-Grasswood), set no limits on sports wagering through provincial gaming monopolies..“Provinces and territories will be able to offer single event sports betting like wagering on the Grey Cup.” Labour Minister Filomena Tassi told reporters August 12..“That is the finish date,” said Tassi. “August 27 is the day. There is nothing else that has to be done.” Provinces said it would take until year’s end to introduce single sports wagering..The bill follows a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that opened up Vegas-style bookmaking in American states. The Court struck down a 1992 Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act that limited single event sports betting to Nevada..“By creating a legal and regulated market for single game sports betting in Canada we can help protect thousands of good unionized jobs in gaming locations across Canada and potentially create many more,” Jerry Dias, national president of Unifor, said in February 25 testimony at the Commons justice committee..“What would happen to Unifor gaming sector workers if this bill doesn’t pass?” asked Conservative MP Chris Lewis (Essex, Ont.)..“All it will do is put us at a greater competitive disadvantage with the U.S. based casinos,” replied Dias..“What are the estimates for additional jobs in this sector?” asked Liberal MP Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre, B.C.). “We are estimating as a minimum it will create at least 2,000 jobs across the country,” replied Dias. Unifor currently represents 11,000 casino and lottery workers..Mike D’Amour is the British Columbia Bureau Chief for the Western Standard..,.mdamour@westernstandardonline.com
