Sports

Effects of the Pandemic on the Sports and Betting Industries in Canada

Published

3 years ago

February 22, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an intense reduction in sporting activities in Canada. The case is similar to most countries worldwide. Sporting activities need close contact between players, which is impossible with the pandemic.

Professional sports leagues have been on the short end of the stick. Professional teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks have had their schedules disrupted by COVID-19 protocols.

On the 22^nd of March 2020, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees announced that they would not send their teams to Tokyo. It was in their best interest to avoid a compromising situation that could have led to severe infections.

Reduced Attendance and Cancellation of Sporting Events

The pandemic hasn’t spared fans either. Since the onset of the pandemic, a majority of the Canadian population hasn’t attended sporting events in person. Many sports have had to innovate by finding ways to reach people on virtual platforms.

Virtual solutions are not the best because the thrill of physical attendance is lacking. The few sporting events that allow attendance have cut down the number of people allowed in a sports venue in a significant way.

Canadian teams had to cancel all seasons from the 13^th of March 2020 onwards. These include:

The National Hockey League
Hockey Canada
The Canadian Junior Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League
The National Lacrosse League

International events such as the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship were also not spared. Sports like golf experienced increased activity since there isn’t much player contact and interaction.

Intense Loss of Jobs

The sports industry is among other recreational sectors that experienced the immense loss of employees. Though involuntary, sporting venues had to let go of workers. Venue closures and cancellation of events are significant reasons for job loss.

The government also chose to focus on more dire sectors of the economy. Thus, funding became unavailable for the sports sector for a notable period.

The situation improved through the 2021 budget. The Canadian government committed $1.9 million to boost the arts and sports industries. The funding was to go towards recovery and helping to create middle-class jobs in the sector.

Impact of COVID-19 on Sports Betting

Unlike the United States, where sports betting is legal, some Canadian provinces still have misgivings. That aside, a source from betting.ca stated that sports betting in Canada also felt the negative impacts of the pandemic. With live games on hold, sportsbook makers had to look for alternatives to keep their customers at bay. Virtual sports betting became the in thing since live betting was impossible.

Despite the sports betting industry facing major challenges, Canadians are experiencing a slight return to normalcy. Single-event sports betting recently received a stamp of approval after approval of the C-218 bill.

Reports suggest that there is potential for the sports betting market in Canada. Single-event sports betting is potentially at US$4 billion. Soon, many sports betting operators will enter the Canadian market leading to intense growth of the economy.

COVID-19 taught many industries to improvise, and the Canadian sports betting industry was no different.

The Future of Sports Betting Post-Pandemic

Although many provinces are yet to approve of single-event sports betting, the future is bright. The Canadian government is looking to put in place an agency to watch the sports betting industry. There are some concerns about the bill. Amendments will touch on:

Prohibiting match-fixing
Modifications to the Criminal Code (to incorporate First Nations lottery considerations)

The legalization of single-event sports betting is a monumental move. It has the power to transform the entire Canadian sports industry only if it remains open, transparent, and has considerations on responsible betting.

What is the Way Forward for the Canadian Sports Industry Post-Pandemic?

The sports world was the first to experience the negative impacts of the pandemic. Sports authorities in Canada have closed and reopened venues several times. Although the pandemic seems unpredictable, there are measures in place to get the industry back to where it was.

Many aspects of the economy depend on the success of the Canadian sports industry. Many professional players from Canada had to join international teams to stay afloat. Without a doubt, some events are making their way back to the sports scene.

We hope that everything goes back to normal so that we get back to ticketing and registering huge fan numbers at sports venues.

News

Vancouver Canucks winger Joshua set for season debut after cancer treatment

Published

7 days ago

November 14, 2024

Anne Joseph

Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.

Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.

The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.

He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.

“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.

The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.

Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.

“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”

The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.

Source link

Sports

PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

Source link

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

2 weeks ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

Source link