Canada's sports betting advertising bill S-211 heads for key House vote

Bill S-211, which passed the Senate last year, is now moving toward the final stages of consideration by Canadian lawmakers. A report says the House of Commons is expected to hold a third and final reading next week, provided the bill clears committee approval.

The proposed law would oblige the federal government to establish a national framework for sports betting advertising. Possible elements include restrictions on advertising, curbs on when and where ads are shown, and a possible cap on or prohibition of celebrities and athletes appearing in promotions. National standards aimed at preventing gambling harm and helping people with gambling addiction are also part of the bill, which further promotes research and the sharing of information among governments and stakeholders in gambling regulation, health and consumer protection.

Bardish Chagger, who sponsors the bill, says restrictions are necessary because of worries about harm tied to gambling. In comments to CBC News, she said, "People are being impacted in a very harmful way. They are losing their livelihoods, they’re losing their homes, they’re losing their savings, they’re losing their lives." Backers describe the plan as a way to set uniform national standards for sports betting promotions and consumer protection rather than a full ban on advertising. Marty Deacon first brought the legislation forward in the Senate.

Similar worries have been voiced by Alberta, whose gambling market opened this summer. Dale Nally, the province’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said in a letter to Ottawa that the bill could result in a two-tier regulatory structure and might affect provincial gambling revenues in the future.