Two senators are urging the Canadian government to prohibit the promotion of sports betting across the country.
In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe and Waterloo Senator Marty Deacon have requested the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to enforce a ban on all advertisements related to sports gambling apps and websites. Their plea is backed by 40 other senators.
The letter highlights that individuals of various age groups who are constantly exposed to these advertisements are being swayed to transform their mobile devices into “pocket-sized casinos.”
It also makes reference to a report by CBC’s Marketplace, which revealed that gambling promotions occupy an average of 21 percent of the total broadcast time during sporting events.
Senator Downe, representing Charlottetown, expressed concerns that the situation has exacerbated in recent years following the amendments to Bill C-218 in 2021, which sanctioned single-event sports betting.
A recent study from CBC’s Marketplace and researchers in the U.K. suggests that sports enthusiasts are bombarded with gambling ads approximately three times per minute during sports broadcasts.
Senator Downe emphasized that the situation goes beyond merely betting on the outcome of a hockey game, as individuals can now place bets on specific events within a game, luring more people into participating and potentially leading to negative consequences for many.
While acknowledging some initial measures such as prohibiting sports personalities from featuring in gambling advertisements, Senator Downe advocates for further government action, drawing parallels to the ban on cigarette advertising due to societal harm.
Elizabeth Stephen, a counseling therapist based in Halifax, emphasized the vulnerability of young individuals to sports betting advertisements and suggested the need for stricter guidelines even if a complete ban is not implemented.
MP Sean Casey from Charlottetown concurred with the concerns raised in the letter, emphasizing the public health risks associated with the extensive promotion of gambling. He mentioned ongoing efforts through Bill S-211 aimed at regulating sports betting advertisements, contrasting the senators’ call for an outright ban.
While MP Casey acknowledged the unintended surge in sports betting ads following the legalization of single-event sports betting, he