After several Ontario casinos kicked retail sports betting on their premises earlier this fall, now Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort has also joined in. Starting from Wednesday, November 16, 2022, the Niagara Falls gaming hotspot is now offering in-person betting on sporting events on its gaming floor. Currently, there are 21 kiosks to wager on, with more on their way.
The addition of retail sports betting across Ontario casinos has been in the making for quite some time, before becoming reality this month. It was also greenlit by the federal government, which in August 2021 decriminalized single-event betting in the country. This was a long-awaited change which will allow for the Canadian gambling industry to step up its game.
21 Kiosks are Now Up and Runnings
On Wednesday, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort started to accept in-person wagers on sporting events via 21 kiosks on its premium gaming floor. Steve Weel, VP of operations for Niagara Casinos commented that the company is proud and excited to expand its offerings by adding sports wagers. And this was something that patrons were looking forward to for a long time.
In order to commence official operations of the sports betting kiosks, the Mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati placed the first legal bet on them. His wager was a CA$20 one, and it was on the Toronto Argonauts to become winners of the Grey Cup. But patrons are in even for a bigger treat, as next Wednesday, the casino will launch 15 additional kiosks on its gaming floor.
The company also added that sports enthusiasts will also be able to wager on sports events at its close-by property Casino Niagara. There the sports betting kiosks will be added on November 23, 2022. Meanwhile, guests of the casino will be able to watch games at the property’s LEV2L Sports Bar, while also enjoying food and drinks.
According to the operator, the touch-screen kiosks at both of its Niagara Falls casinos will allow bettors to place wagers on all major North American sports, as well as other important sporting events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Patrons can choose from single-game betting, parlays, props, and even more options. Wagers can also be placed at the sports betting windows.
In order to bring retail sports betting to its Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, the company announced a partnership with leading sports betting company Kambi Group. As part of the deal, the provider has now delivered its full suite of high-performance sports wagering technology and services to the two Ontario casinos.
Start of New Era
The first Ontario casinos to offer retail sports betting were Great Canadian Entertainment Corporation’s ones. On October 28, 2022, the gaming conglomerate launched dedicated sportsbook lounges branded Great Canadian Sportsbooks at its Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel, Pickering Casino Resort, Elements Casino Brantford and Shorelines Casino Belleville. Besides sports wagering, they also offer food and drink amenities.
In addition to that, the gaming leader reported that six more of its Ontario establishments have implemented sportsbook kiosks within existing gaming areas. The six casinos are Casino Woodbine, Shorelines Casino Peterborough, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, Elements Casino Mohawk, Elements Casino Grand River, and Elements Casino Flamboro.
Source: Spiteri, Ray “Sports betting starts at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort” Niagara Falls Review, November 17, 2022
