- The Stop Harmful Gambling Advertising Act would make it illegal for Ontario operators to advertise sports betting and iGaming on television, social media, or paid sponsorships.
- Operators could lose their license and be fined up to $1 million for violating the proposed law.
- Bill 107 is another attempt to limit gambling advertising in Ontario in response to an increase in problem gambling assistance.
TORONTO – Ontario lawmakers aim to crack down on gambling advertising illegal with the Stop Harmful Gambling Advertising Act. The bill would make it illegal for sports betting and iGaming operators to advertise or promote their services on television, social media, and paid sponsorships with partners.
The explanatory note from Bill 107 reads: “The Bill amends the Gaming Control Act, 1992 to prohibit a person who operates an electronic gaming site, or any person acting on such a person’s behalf, from advertising or otherwise promoting the site or anything that is offered or made available on the site, subject to certain exceptions. The amendments include providing that a person who fails to comply with the prohibition is guilty of an offence under the Act and, if convicted, is liable to a fine. A person’s registration as a supplier is revoked upon their second or subsequent conviction.”
The bill would fine individuals up to $100,000 and operators up to $1 million for committing an advertising penalty. After a second offence, Canada sports betting operators could have their license removed.
Ontario Youth Problem Gambling, Ad Crisis Inspires Bill 107
The efforts to make sports betting and iGaming advertisements illegal stems from an increase in Canadian problem gambling increase, especially in Ontario. Studies found that gambling ads take up more than 20% of Canadian sports broadcasts, potentially connected to a 300% increase in Ontario’s mental health helpline for gambling from young men.
Just a few years ago, Ontario implemented a celebrity advertising ban that banned athletes and other celebrities from participating in gambling advertisements. Notable former and current hockey stars like Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, and Wayne Gretzky partnered with betting companies prior to the updated Standards for Internet Gaming.
