Canada Considering National Limits on Gambling Ads During Sports Broadcasts

Canadian lawmakers are considering new restrictions on gambling advertising in sports broadcasts, social media and online video games. Bill S-211 may provide a national framework to respond to concerns about gambling-related harm and the increasing visibility of betting promos during televised sporting events. Canadian Study Finds 3,000 Gambling Messages in NHL Playoff Games The proposal will go to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for a vote in late October. The bill has passed the Senate and will go for a third and final reading in the House of Commons if it makes it through committee, as reported by Canadian national media outlet CBC. Liberal MP Bardish Chagger, sponsor of the legislation, is calling on the federal government to create national standards for gambling ads. The proposal also includes a review of existing regulations to consider whether they sufficiently address the potential harms of gambling marketing. Fresh alarms were sounded in recent studies about the volume of gambling advertising during Canadian sports broadcasts. The University of Bristol, in partnership with CBC News, studied seven NHL playoff games involving Canadian teams in 2026. Researchers cataloged about 3,000 gambling messages in the broadcasts, or two or three per minute on average. In about 95% of the cases recorded, there was no information about responsible gambling or age restrictions. The promotions were in commercial breaks and through rink boards, jerseys, helmets, and other visible surface branding of the players. The results indicate that gambling marketing is more than traditional advertising. Branding during games can also appear in highlight packages, news reports, and social media posts, potentially increasing exposure beyond the original broadcast. A previous study of five NHL games in 2024 showed a similar pattern, suggesting the amount of gambling promotions has stayed high. Ontario and Alberta Push Back Against Federal Gambling Ad Restrictions The problem has also affected people with gambling problems. An Ontario resident said that seeing ads during a sports broadcast could trigger a renewed urge to bet. He lost $14,000 in a previous gambling episode before he got help. Bill S-211 would require the federal government to recognize the dangers of online gambling and develop a national strategy for advertising standards. Chagger said she hoped future measures would ban gambling promotions during live sporting events, restrict advertising hours and stop athletes and celebrities endorsing gambling companies. The proposal has received backing from members of several political parties and public health organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association and Public Health Physicians of Canada. However, Ontario and Alberta are opposed to federal intervention in what they see as their own provincial regulatory jurisdiction. Ontario launched its regulated online gaming and sports betting market in 2022. Alberta has also started to expand its online gaming sector, with supplier Games Global receiving a license to operate in the province in September 2026. The company already had regulatory approval in Ontario. Doug Downey, Ontario’s attorney general, said the province’s existing framework already has advertising standards and consumer protections. Alberta officials have expressed concerns that federal regulations would create duplicate regulatory systems and impact provincial revenues. The Canadian Gaming Association has also weighed in against the proposed legislation, saying that provinces should continue to set their own advertising requirements. The industry group says promotions help direct consumers to licensed operators instead of unregulated platforms. Bill S-211 would not impose a blanket ban on advertising right away. Instead, it would set up a process for the creation of national policies as concerns over gambling-related harm continue to steer discussions around regulation in Canada.