The Canadian government has been under increasing pressure to change the Criminal Code that outlaws betting on individual sporting events. Current Criminal Codes allow for the betting on large groups of sporting events, but not one individual game or match.

Proponents are hoping it will give gambling establishments a much needed boost in a dwindling market, especially those near the US border which have been seeing less Americans betting. Rob Nicholson, the Minister for Justice has said he is willing to try to help but not at the cost of other things he sees as more important such as fighting drug use by young people.