Canadian Senator Pushing to Ban Sports Betting Ads during Broadcasts

A Canadian senator is intending to enact legislation versus sports betting advertisements after an editorial released this week talked about the dangers of these advertisements, according to CBC.


- Bill S-211 was reestablished following the federal election.


- The editorial mentions 4% of high school trainees displayed issue betting behaviors even before betting was legalized.


- Ontario's effort to manage sports wagering advertisements didn't have the designated impact.


Deacon was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2018. She represents the Waterloo area of Ontario and has actually been an outspoken advocate of marketing policies within Canada's sports wagering market.


Bill S-211, which was initially introduced in 2023, would forbid sports wagering commercials throughout broadcasts likely to be seen by minors.


Deacon resubmitted the bill in May after the federal election triggered it to lose momentum.


"It's an addicting habits," she stated during a Tuesday interview on The Morning Edition. "It's an excellent health issue."


Canada legalized sports wagering in 2021. Its provinces have presented a range of guidelines, although there are no overarching rules relating to advertising standards for sportsbook companies.


Deacon hopes her bill will be brought before the Senate completely within the next month.


"We need a typical method, a national requirement comparable to alcohol, comparable to tobacco ads, that is not patchwork. Which's why the government has to take the lead on this," Deacon stated.


Gambling effects on youths


Deacon's latest push for marketing policy begins the back of the release of the editorial, written by the CMAJ medical editor and physician Dr. Shannon Charlebois and pediatrician Dr. Shawn Kelly.