Sports gambling ads in Canada must be reined in, senators urge in letter

A letter signed by more than 40 senators urges Prime Minister Mark Carney to work towards banning sports betting ads in Canada, which highlights the health and safety risks.

There’s a new push underway to ban all sports gambling ads in Canada after a petition addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney was signed by more than 40 senators.

The petition, championed by Sen. Percy E. Downe and Sen. Marty Deacon, says there is “very real harm” being done from sports gambling advertising in Canada.

“People of all ages (are) exposed to a constant stream of advertisements promising a ‘premium gaming experience’ and urging them to turn their phone into a pocket-sized casino,” the petition letter says.

“We are asking for a ban on all advertising for sports gambling apps and websites. Such a measure would be similar to the advertising ban for cigarettes, and for the same reason: to address a public health problem.”

This comes after similar calls from medical experts across the country. The Canadian Medical Association Journal released an editorial in September urging restrictions and cautioning about the dangers of sports betting advertisements.

Sports betting has taken off ever since it was legalized in Canada in 2021, including with the ability for users to place bets on single games using their smartphones. This means legal participants can place wagers on an NHL hockey game, for instance, and sometimes even as the games are happening.

According to a Leger survey released in September, 19 per cent of Canadian adults said they have placed a sports wager in the past year, which is down slightly from 21 per cent the previous year.

However, the study did not ask Canadians under the age of 18.