How much sports gambling advertising is too much? Some advocates want it banned

If you watched the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of their playoff series last Tuesday, you probably took in almost eight and a half minutes of sports gambling advertising. 

That includes several 30-second television ads as well as on-screen sponsorship deals. 

In Ontario, the prevalence of that kind of advertising has increased significantly since the province opened up to independent online gambling sites last year. 

But the move has some asking if there are too many ads and what impact they have on viewers. 

Among them is Karl Subban, a hockey coach and the father of three NHL players.

"It's a big problem. Gambling is very addictive," said Subban, who's also a school principal. "A lot of the marketing is focusing on grabbing the attention of the most vulnerable, the youngest of our population."

Subban spoke to CBC Toronto on behalf of the Ban Ads For Gambling campaign. The group's website says it wants all advertising that promotes gambling banned.

"Harms from gambling include financial problems, stress to families, youth and children, mental health issues including addiction and even suicide – among other documented economic and social issues that negatively affect Canadians," the website says.

The group is especially concerned about the involvement of celebrities and athletes in ads they say target children.

"They catch the attention of young people," Subban said. "It's a powerful way of marketing to them, which we know can have a harmful effect on young people realizing their potential and really reaching their dreams."

Lesley Oliva, an elementary school teacher and parent in Vaughan, Ont., says her current students are much more aware of sports gambling than those in the past. Nevertheless, she agrees the ads are harmful.

"Kids should not be exposed to this at a young age," Oliva said. "It's just the wrong messaging to be imprinting on them. It's not healthy for their long-term growth."

In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has a number of restrictions on how internet gaming is marketed, most geared toward protecting minors. In a statement to CBC Toronto, the AGCO stated its "goal is to regulate gaming in a way that minimizes potential harm and promotes a responsible gambling environment."

The commission also noted that Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to ban mass advertising of gambling inducements such as bonuses and free plays.