Zona de Azar Canada – Advocates Call for Nationwide Ban on Sports Betting Ads to Safeguard Canadian Youth
Canada.- January 29th 2024 www.zonadeazar.com In Ontario, a ban on featuring athletes and celebrities in online gambling ads, including those for sports, is poised to come into effect next month.
However, advocates are pushing for a broader nationwide prohibition on sports betting commercials to enhance the protection of children and youth across Canada.
The legalization of single-game sports betting by the federal government in 2021 opened the floodgates for advertisements during hockey games, on social media platforms, and across the internet.
Former Olympian Bruce Kidd, also a professor emeritus of sport policy at the University of Toronto, has emphasized the persuasive impact of these ads on young people, potentially leading them toward lifelong gambling habits and addiction.
Research from Ipsos Mori and the University of Stirling in the U.K., published in 2020, highlighted the increased likelihood of individuals aged 11-24 engaging in betting later in life after exposure to gambling marketing for just one month.
Kidd initiated The Campaign to Ban Advertising for Gambling, garnering support from advocates such as three-time hockey dad Karl Subban and Olympic medalist Clara Hughes, who are urging a ban on these commercials.
According to psychology professor Steve Joordens from the University of Toronto – Scarborough, the association of gambling with random rewards and dopamine release poses a significant challenge. Advertisements often target individuals to initiate gambling behavior effortlessly.
Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns defended the sports betting ads, citing “robust” regulations and industry standards to prevent appeal to minors. Leagues and broadcasters have implemented policies to interact responsibly with sports wagers, ensuring their products remain accessible to fans of all ages.
Joordens, however, warned that the normalization of sports betting ads, deeply integrated into sports broadcasts and venues frequented by youth, poses a risk to children. The association of beloved sports figures in these commercials further intensifies their influence.
As of October 2023, the ConnexOntario Problem Gambling hotline received 3,617 calls, with 2,330 related to gaming and 1,416 specifically about online gambling. Mental health expert Nigel Turner noted these figures exclude horse racing, another popular form of sports betting.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and a bill before the Canadian Senate both emphasize the ban on public figures in gambling advertisements. The proposed bill calls for a national framework, including restrictions on sports betting advertising, research into prevention, diagnosis of minors involved in harmful gambling, and supportive measures for those impacted.
While industry representatives express willingness to discuss changes, advocates like Kidd insist on a complete ban, asserting that sports betting has eroded the cultural essence of sports as a community activity.
Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com
