Sports betting in Ontario so far lacks a Vegas-style sportsbook, but the groundwork is being laid to bring one to Niagara Falls.
Malta-headquartered technology company Kambi Group PLC announced on Thursday that it will help power in-person sports betting at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, Ont.
“The two prestigious properties will integrate Kambi's full suite of high-performance sports betting technology and services to provide an exciting destination for sports fans and bettors across the Canadian province subject to required approvals,” a press release said. “A total of 36 kiosks will be installed across the Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara properties, with plans to convert Casino Niagara's sports bar into a retail sportsbook, elevating patrons' game day entertainment.”
North Vegas(ish)
Adding a brick-and-mortar sportsbook at Casino Niagara would be a significant step for legal sports betting in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province. While Ontario opened a market for internet gambling in April that now has a multitude of private-sector sportsbook and casino operators, there is no retail wagering on par with that of casinos in the United States.
Some of this has to do with the legal structure of gambling in Canada. Day-to-day operations at the two Niagara casinos are handled by Connecticut-based Mohegan (formerly Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment). However, the properties are technically owned by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., which is the entity that is legally responsible for land-based gaming in the province.
Government-owned OLG, which also offers sports betting through lottery retailers, has been working towards the opening of brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in the province. Progress, though, has been slow, to the chagrin of some bettors keen for a more Vegas-like experience and for casino operators that want a new way of attracting gamblers to their facilities.
Kambi and Mohegan already have an online sports betting partnership as well, with the tech company powering the latter’s Play Fallsview platform.
"With the changing landscape in gaming, we are working collaboratively with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Province to develop sports betting in Ontario,” said Richard Taylor, president of Niagara Casinos, in the press release. “Our partnership with Kambi will continue to elevate our offerings at Niagara Casinos."
