More than 40 Canadian senators jointly signed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling for a nationwide ban on sports betting advertisements. In the letter dated November 13, the senators compared these advertisements to tobacco ads, considering them a public health issue affecting Canadians of all ages.
Senators' Joint Signature and Legislative Background
Senators Marty Deacon and Percy Downe explicitly stated in the joint letter: "We demand a ban on all advertisements for sports betting apps and websites, a measure similar to the ban on cigarette advertising, for the same reason: addressing public health issues." This move follows the Senate's passage of Bill S-211, which aims to regulate the number, placement, and scope of national sports betting advertisements—more case studies on gambling advertisement regulation are available on the PASA official website for reference.
Public Health and Youth Impact
Experts are particularly concerned about the psychological impact of gambling advertisements on youth. Pediatrician Sean Kelly warned that exposure to these ads could worsen mental health, increase absenteeism, and youth crime risks. Psychology Professor Steve Jordens emphasized the addictive nature of gambling, noting that random reward mechanisms drive repeated betting. Elizabeth Stephen, a therapist from Halifax, revealed that visitors have expressed "an inability to watch sports events because it's too easy to trigger a gambling addiction," indeed, this normalized exposure is concerning.
Industry Perspective and Advertising Status
The Canadian Gaming Association noted that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has already implemented restrictions on gambling advertisements, including banning registration bonuses targeting minors and limiting celebrity endorsements. Data shows a 7% decline in online gambling advertisements in 2023, with a further 1% decrease projected for 2024. However, senators believe the current measures are insufficient, as a Legg survey showed that 59% of respondents had recently seen sports betting advertisements, with 75% thinking there are too many ads. Plainly speaking, the debate over the advertising ban is essentially a struggle between public health and commercial interests.
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