Key Moments:
- Senator Marty Deacon has proposed Bill S-211 to prohibit all sports betting advertisements across Canada.
- Experts and health professionals have expressed concerns over the effect of gambling promotions on young people.
- The proposed legislation remains under Senate consideration and could reshape the national approach to gambling ads.
Overview of Bill S-211
Senator Marty Deacon has put forward Bill S-211 in an effort to address what she describes as the harmful impact of sports betting advertising, especially on minors. The legislation would outlaw all forms of advertising related to sports gambling, including those aired during live sporting events, on internet sites, and on television. According to the senator, while regulation over sports betting itself has progressed, the same cannot be said for promotional regulations.
Canada…
Senator for Waterloo region wants to ban sports betting ads that lead to 'addictive behaviour' in youthhttps://t.co/SFSqdtkExE
— Alfonso Straffon 🇨🇷🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@astraffon) September 10, 2025
National Standards Sought
Senator Deacon has recommended banning athletes and celebrities from featuring in gambling ads and has advocated for strict rules regarding the timing and context of such advertisements. She has also urged the federal government to implement consistent nationwide standards, highlighting the need for a national instead of a provincial solution. As Senator Deacon told reporters: “We need a common approach, a national standard similar to alcohol, similar to tobacco ads, that is not patchwork. And that’s why the government has to take the lead on this.”
Impact on Youth and Medical Concerns
Health professionals have underscored the dangers that gambling advertisements present to children and teenagers. Dr Shannon Charlebois, as mentioned in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, has shared instances from her own practice involving adolescents engaging in online gambling and facing financial losses. Dr Charlebois stated: “The typical story that I see in the clinic is a 13 or 14-year-old boy who has borrowed dad’s credit card, or mom’s credit card, engaged in some online wagering and lost a significant amount of money.” She cautioned that the normalization of betting through advertising, coupled with easy smartphone access and adolescent risk-taking, increases potential harm.
Normalization and Potential Risks
Experts have warned that regular exposure to betting promotions could lead children to regard gambling as an ordinary pastime, heightening the possibility of developing unhealthy habits in the future. Dr Charlebois emphasized the particular vulnerability of young people during adolescence. Senator Deacon echoed these concerns, noting that the combination of incentives and constant digital accessibility further raises the stakes. She believes the proposed legislation is necessary to counter these risks and minimize the societal impact.
Legislation Status and Industry Implications
The Senate is still considering Bill S-211. Its adoption would cause a notable shift in sports betting promotion in Canada, aligning the nation’s rules with those of other countries that have enacted wide-ranging advertising bans. The measure comes as sports gambling becomes increasingly prevalent in Canada, with companies making sizable investments in advertising. Critics claim this trend has elevated the exposure of young audiences to gambling content and heightened the potential for problematic behaviors.
Objective of the Proposed Ban
Bill S-211 is intended to synchronize safety measures with the ongoing expansion of the gambling industry. By removing betting advertisements from media and online spaces, the bill seeks to protect vulnerable groups and introduce a structured, national approach for responsible gambling practices.
- Author
Daniel Williams
