Canadian Senators Press for Sports Betting Ad Ban

A duo of Canadian senators is advocating for a federal ban on sports betting advertisements, highlighting the potential risks posed to individuals across different age groups.

Senator Percy Downe from Charlottetown and Senator Marty Deacon from Waterloo have penned a letter to the Prime Minister, urging that the CRTC be directed to outlaw ads promoting sports gambling applications and websites. This push has garnered the support of an additional 40 senators.

They contend that these betting promotions have transformed smartphones into “pocket-sized casinos,” impacting viewers' gambling behaviors. Their letter references a study indicating that gambling messages occupy nearly 21 percent of sports broadcasts, exposing fans to ads at a rate of approximately three times per minute during games.

Senator Downe noted the situation has deteriorated since the enactment of Bill C-218 in 2021, which legalized single-event betting. “People can now wager on who will score in the next few minutes or the odds of particular plays,” he lamented. “We all carry a mini casino in our pockets, inviting more individuals to gamble, leading to numerous negative consequences for many.”

Though some measures like banning sports figures from endorsing gambling ads are in place, Downe believes these are insufficient. He likened sports betting advertisements to cigarette marketing, stating: “Just like we prohibited cigarette ads on all platforms due to societal harm, we should also eliminate sports betting ads, which offer no genuine benefits.”

Therapist Elizabeth Stephen from Halifax expressed concern over youth susceptibility, asserting: “Professional sports are now heavily intertwined with betting. The impressionable minds of young people can be profoundly swayed by constant exposure to these ads.” Some of her clients have reported that watching sports has become “too triggering” due to the relentless gambling promotions.

MP Sean Casey from Charlottetown acknowledged the senators' concerns about these ads but pointed out that regulatory measures are underway. Bill S-211, currently progressing through the House of Commons after passing the Senate, seeks to establish a national approach towards sports betting advertisements. However, it does not propose a total ban.

Casey, who was in Parliament during the legalization of single-event betting, clarified that the legislation was intended to regulate and tax gambling activities but inadvertently led to a surge in advertisements. “While I’m not against the idea of completely removing these ads, even reducing them by 90 percent—to the level of car or breakfast cereal ads—would be a major improvement,” he noted.

This situation underscores a growing apprehension in Canada regarding the societal and public health implications of gambling advertising, particularly for young people and vulnerable groups. Senators Downe and Deacon are calling for prompt governmental action to safeguard Canadians from the dangers associated with sports betting promotions.