Has Anyone Ever Figured Out Why Betfair Left Canada?

**Optional** · 02-20-19, 12:13 PM

Never heard anything specific about why.

They also sold their Australian version and closed a couple of other local operations around the same time.

I expect it was partly to do with consolidation. But agree it seems strange that even now Paddy Power Betfair still dont service Canadians.

**acquavallo** · 02-20-19, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by AimHigher

Has anyone ever figured out why Betfair left Canada? I remember at the time, that Betfair and others claimed they were leaving due to an unspecified law. The problem is, that no one seemed to know what that law was, and Betfair and others weren't willing to explain. Does anyone happen to know now what their reasons were, and what this seemingly non-existent law was/is?

Paddy Power, BF acquirer, handles the betting for the BC Lottery; and as such is specifically precluded from offering bookmaking on its own.
But before this, BF had made the strategic decision of leaving all gray areas-- countries where it and/or betting wasn't specifically allowed. For one, jurisdictions where it was specifically allowed or applying to be-- could use such a violation as grounds for denial...US / NJ one example for sure. And in Canada sports betting is actually illegal, notwithstanding that the government will not go after individual players and hardly ever bothers any corporation.

In Australia's case memory faintly recalls that some regions allowed, others denied betting. And the former got too usurious in the % they wanted?

**Foxx** · 02-20-19, 11:35 PM

Shortly before they announced the decision to leave Canada, Ontario had passed some law mandating that isps block unlicensed gambling sites. That was passed Nov 2015, Betfair announced they were leaving that December.

May have had something to do with it or maybe nothing. That dumb law was actually ruled unconstitutional last year.

**Krashman** · 02-21-19, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by acquavallo

And in Canada sports betting is actually illegal

Quit talking out your @ss

Government run sports betting right here:

SPORT SELECT - Home

http://www.sportselect.wclc.com/Game-Lists.htm

Western Canada Lottery SPORT SELECT. Online sports wagering. Take your game to the next level with SPORT SELECT! PRO•LINE, OVER/UNDER, POINT SPREAD, PROPS, Pools and Futures are all available.

Legal.

Tax free.

**Optional** · 02-21-19, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by acquavallo

In Australia's case memory faintly recalls that some regions allowed, others denied betting. And the former got too usurious in the % they wanted?

Nah, it was nothing about legality.

They had partnered with local group Crown to get the license and launch a local version.

To do this they had to run a local datacentre in Tasmania, which is why we have to switch wallets to bet on Australian sport.

There is also a lot of regulation and contributions to local sporting bodies who they offer betting on not seen in other places.

They ended up just selling their share to Crown.

I think it was partly too much trouble and partly they werent making enough profit and partly just the company had decided to consolidate at that time.

Whole thing is a shame and a farce how it's been wrecked.

I have fingers crossed a USA entity will re-create something for us all, and make Betfair the MySpace of this industry one day.

**AimHigher** · 02-21-19, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by acquavallo

Paddy Power, BF acquirer, handles the betting for the BC Lottery; and as such is specifically precluded from offering bookmaking on its own.
But before this, BF had made the strategic decision of leaving all gray areas-- countries where it and/or betting wasn't specifically allowed. For one, jurisdictions where it was specifically allowed or applying to be-- could use such a violation as grounds for denial...US / NJ one example for sure.

Great info, thank-you!

Originally posted by Foxx

Shortly before they announced the decision to leave Canada, Ontario had passed some law mandating that isps block unlicensed gambling sites. That was passed Nov 2015, Betfair announced they were leaving that December.

May have had something to do with it or maybe nothing. That dumb law was actually ruled unconstitutional last year.

Ah, could be. Thanks!

Actually, I think it was Quebec that you are referring to. I can't seem to find any news about Ontario passing such a law, but there is plenty on Quebec having passed that law.

Originally posted by Optional

I have fingers crossed a USA entity will re-create something for us all, and make Betfair the MySpace of this industry one day.

Exchanges are a good thing for sports bettors, for sure!

**Foxx** · 02-21-19, 10:17 AM

Yes, Quebec it was. My bad.

**icon** · 02-21-19, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by AimHigher

I can't seem to find any news about Ontario passing such a law, but there is plenty on Quebec having passed that law.

I remember when Ontario said they would have online poker (like British Columbia & Quebec) up and running by late 2017.

It's 2019 and there has been no mention of it for a long time.

**thespeculator** · 02-21-19, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by icon

I remember when Ontario said they would have online poker (like British Columbia & Quebec) up and running by late 2017.

It's 2019 and there has been no mention of it for a long time.

ontario is the worst. Forget the odds. You can't mix sports on the point spread( college basketball &nba) . B.C and Manitoba both have a bet365 website, you can bet live with all the markets. You just have to bet a two team parlay. Some bets like in soccer (both teams to score) can be bet individually

**icon** · 02-21-19, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by thespeculator

ontario is the worst. Forget the odds. You can't mix sports on the point spread( college basketball &nba) . B.C and Manitoba both have a bet365 website, you can bet live with all the markets. You just have to bet a two team parlay. Some bets like in soccer (both teams to score) can be bet individually

Yeah I haven't touched Pro Line since 2005 when I discovered offshore.

**xKMACKx** · 02-21-19, 08:29 PM

Same goes for Matchbook. They weren't clear at all either.

**acquavallo** · 02-23-19, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Krashman

Quit talking out your @ss

Government run sports betting right here:

SPORT SELECT - Home

http://www.sportselect.wclc.com/Game-Lists.htm

Western Canada Lottery SPORT SELECT. Online sports wagering. Take your game to the next level with SPORT SELECT! PRO•LINE, OVER/UNDER, POINT SPREAD, PROPS, Pools and Futures are all available.

Legal.

Tax free.

I did mention the gov't, BC Lottery book for one- Paddy services it.
And, come on- that's not really a choice.

**acquavallo** · 02-24-19, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by Optional

Nah, it was nothing about legality.

They had partnered with local group Crown to get the license and launch a local version.

To do this they had to run a local datacentre in Tasmania, which is why we have to switch wallets to bet on Australian sport.

There is also a lot of regulation and contributions to local sporting bodies who they offer betting on not seen in other places.

They ended up just selling their share to Crown.

I think it was partly too much trouble and partly they werent making enough profit and partly just the company had decided to consolidate at that time.

Whole thing is a shame and a farce how it's been wrecked.

I have fingers crossed a USA entity will re-create something for us all, and make Betfair the MySpace of this industry one day.

I'm hoping the different states adopt reciprocal pool share agreements-- maybe this will help with bet limits and bannings.
15-20 years ago I had Canbet & Betfair accounts here in the US, before all that was squashed. I thought one territory had granted license, another had not & forced shut down there....eventually hitting the Supreme Court, which ruled that Aussies couldn't be prohibited from joining because once licensed in one area, was legal in the entire country? And plus they wanted a higher %...
It really seemed a pain in the neck for them to endure.

**Capitaine17** · 06-18-19, 06:06 PM

Any one know how to bet from canada on betfair ? I think the best is knowing someone from england etc, and betting from a vpn.

**acquavallo** · 06-18-19, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by Capitaine17

Any one know how to bet from canada on betfair ? I think the best is knowing someone from england etc, and betting from a vpn.

No one in the world knows vpn's as much as BF. You're asking for not only winnings, but original funds confiscated. Maybe if someone there leaves you a dedicated computer on, and account would need to be in their name w/ fully passed KYC.
You'd need to remote play thru that computer ONLY-- will be busted otherwise. And do they scan the computer for remote software?

**newton0038** · 06-18-19, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by icon

Yeah I haven't touched Pro Line since 2005 when I discovered offshore.

Dont know how many dum fuks i have told bet more on less. They fill a 6 teamer with $1.20 lines. Then they say" i always lose by 1 game. Holy fuk bro U just tossed $50 away to win back a total of $150 on 6 event. The still get plent of $5 bettors that never win.

**AimHigher** · 06-22-19, 02:29 AM

Originally posted by Capitaine17

Any one know how to bet from canada on betfair ? I think the best is knowing someone from england etc, and betting from a vpn.

I believe you can bet on Betfair through a brokerage, such as AsianConnect. There are other such brokerage sites as well. You'll need to do some research to see if this is true.

Fairlay.com is a bitcoin version of a Betfair, and it is available to players in the USA and Canada. Though I've heard some complaints about the "Lay Bet" functionality, that it's hard to find people to take your bets before the odds move, etc.. You'll have to do some research on Fairlay as well...

There are a lot of threads here at SBR on both Fairlay and AsianConnect. Hop to it!