Bid for betting on single sports games comes down to one vote

The lengthy bid to allow Canadians to gamble on individual sports games comes down to one critical vote.

A private member's bill put forward by Windsor West MP Brian Masse will finally be put to the test in the House of Commons Wednesday.

• Single-event sports betting bill opposed by Federal Liberals

Masse says he does not know how the vote will turn out, mainly because the governing Liberals are not supporting the legislation.

"Even when I went to the east coast to push the bill, we got other Liberals onside, so it seems that the Prime Minister's Office is the objectionable one at this point," he said.

Masse argues single sports betting would be a boon for Windsor and its casino, if legalized. It would also strike a blow to organized crime, which is now involved in betting on sports.

"We're hopeful that they will then come around," he said of the possible critics."There are some Conservative members opposed to it, but not as many as we have in support, and as New Democrats, we're solid behind this."