Bookmaking is a popular pastime in Canada, although the regulations for bookmaking in the country differ widely from those for the occupation in other countries, including the United States. Bookmaking in Canada is an interesting occupation to study because it has raised much debate over the years.

Legalized Betting

Bookmaking in Canada is legal. However, it is only legal because the enterprise is state-owned and operated. This means, then, that the occupation is illegal for anyone else but the state to take over. This can be a point of contention because bookmaking is such a profitable enterprise. Since bookies tend to make between a 50 and 100 percent profit on the event for which they take wagers, many people across the country desire to get in on the action and make a profit.

Bookmaking is legal in Canada also because it is part of the country’s lottery program. This program is known as Sport Select. The program consists of sports betting games, and the program is operated and promoted by Canada’s government. Canadian citizens can buy tickets for the program through the lottery ticket centers. The rules for betting are similar to those in other countries that allow bookmaking. However, another major point of contention among Canadians is that the enterprise –for them—really results in poor odds, so they have little chance of earning dividends for their bet.

As a result of Canada’s regulation of bookmaking, many Canadian citizens have taken to placing their bets with bookies online in countries where the occupation is not solely controlled and run by the government. This has resulted in a loss of profit for the Canadian bookmakers, who make their profits by taking wagers on the Canadian sports games.

This state operated bookmaking almost cost the country an NBA franchise. Since the NBA does not allow betting on its games, the Canadian government required its team to pay out the dollars it would lose by not being able to include the games in its bookmaking operation. The state-run operation will remain a source of debate as long as it is relegated only to the government.