Concern Rise over Gambling Ad Restrictions in Canada’s Latest Bill
Sports betting’s continued growth throughout North America has opened up new opportunities for sponsorships and advertising. With the practice now legal in almost 40 states in the US and in Canada, sports betting attracts both avid fans and casual bettors alike.
Canadian flag. NHL and NFL urge caution of proposed Canadian gambling ad regulations.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:In response to this growth, Canada is working on new gambling legislation that has caused some concern. Bill S-269 seeks to impose stricter regulations on gambling advertisements and recently, the bill gained momentum following a meeting with the Senate Transport and Communications Committee, which referred the bill to the full Senate for further review.
Sports Leagues Raise Concerns with Canadian Senate
The bill has caught the attention of several high-profile stakeholders, including the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Football League (NFL). Last month, both leagues sent a letter to the Canadian Senate detailing their concerns about the bill. The letter, which was made public on the Senate’s website this week, explains their worries about the potential impact of the legislation.
These concerns are shared by other key players in the gambling industry, such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Canadian Football League, and as a result, they have raised questions about the bill’s future.
In the letter, Conal Berberich, group vice president and deputy general counsel for the NHL, gave his support to efforts to protect players but questioned the necessity of a national law. He pointed out that current cooperation among gambling operators already provides strong consumer protections and that provincial regulations are successfully managing the sports betting market.
Berberich also argued that restricting gambling ads could be counterproductive. He pointed out that advertising helps bettors make informed choices and allows legal sportsbooks to distinguish themselves from illegal operators.
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Gambling Ads Protect the Legal Market
Jonathan Nabavi, the NFL’s vice president of public policy and government affairs, expressed similar concerns.
The elimination of illegal gambling, especially offshore betting operators, requires not simply a legal alternative but robust, active monitoring and enforcement backed by significant civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Nabavi went on to warn that imposing strict limits on gambling ads may harm the legal market. He stressed that responsible advertising is key to steering bettors away from illegal operations and toward regulated safer alternatives. Nabavi also stressed the importance of cooperation, strong monitoring, and swift enforcement against illegal operators.
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