Single-event sports betting pushed by NDP's Masse

Windsor West NDP MP Brian Masse urged Conservatives in the House of Commons on Tuesday to sway senators to pass Bill C-290.

The piece of legislation, which would amend the Crimal Code and allow bets be legally placed on single sporting events, is languishing in the Senate.

It's awaiting third reading.

Masse called the bill a "game changer" for Canada's entertainment industry.

Below is Masse's entire statement:

Mr. Speaker,

For months now an important bill that passed through this House unopposed sits in the Senate penalty box waiting for a final vote at third reading. Bill C-290 would legalize single event sports betting in Canada and could be a game changer for the largest segment of the entertainment industry in Canada.

With Hundreds of thousands of jobs, massive public investments and billions of dollars in public revenue at stake the government is a healthy scratch on C-290 while the unaccountable Senate fumbles the ball.

In addition to all-party support in the elected House both business and labour groups across Canada are fans of C-290.  The government is blowing this call— turning a blind eye to a major interference penalty from a small group of unaccountable Senators, clogging up the progress of this critical bill.

Worse by sitting this one out bookies, gangsters and illegal online gaming sites rake in another season of windfall profits.

We know in the past this government has pushed legislation through the Senate, why is their approach so weak now with C-290 just inches from the goal line?