This week saw the ban of athletes from participating in online gambling endorsements in Ontario, and Windsor West MP Brian Masse was happy to see it become a reality. The MP congratulated his provincial colleague Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky for co-sponsoring Bill 126, which would ban all iGaming advertisements. The legislation passed its first reading in June 2023.
Earlier this week, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario which oversees the local iGaming sector, announced that it will be updating the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. This included a ban on active or retired sports figures from participating in iGaming ads. It also restricted the use of influencers and celebrities who usually appeal to youth.
Congratulating MPP Gretzky
Mr. Masse who was involved in decriminalizing single-event betting in Canada, commented that provincial authorities must improve their enforcement of rules and said AGCO’s changes were an important first step. However, it should be mentioned that the new Standards are not yet in play in the province, as they go into effect on February 28, 2024.
Recently, the Windsor West MP said that the influx of gaming ads has been a problem since the legalization of single-game betting. He also noted that other countries have banned online ads of sports gambling, while also noting that the regulatory oversight and control in Canada is at the provincial level. Still, he congratulated Ms. Gretzky and her co-sponsors on Bill 126.
Additionally, she explained that when single-evet wagering was launched in the country, provinces had the chance to implement their own regulatory frameworks to protect consumers and add provisions to reduce gambling addictions. However, he claimed that instead of following other countries’ examples, the Ford Conservatives let the market become a free-for-all.
Ms. Gretzky herself was also pleased to see the latest announcement from AGCO regarding the changes in betting advertising. She said it is a step in the right direction, but she insists the province needs to do more. She also remarked there are plenty of people vulnerable to addictions, especially younger adults who often get overwhelmed by gambling debts.
Gambling Experts Disapprove Volume of Ads
On top of Ontario parents, gambling experts have also spoken against the influx of betting ads across Ontario. Michael Naraine, from the Department of Sport Management of the Brock University, said that for example if a Montreal or a Victoria, B.C. gambler sees these kinds of sports betting ads, their only option would be to go for offshore gambling.
Nigel Turner, who is a representative of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health commented that more people are going to give sports gambling a try. According to him, this could potentially lead to more people developing problem gambling habits. And that is exactly why the province requires all approved operators to have responsible gambling protocols, self-exclusion programs, and more.
Source: Brown, Mark “NDP declares victory in AGCO’s internet gaming ruling” NewsToday, August 30, 2023
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