National Rules for Sports Betting Ads

Summary#

This bill directs the federal government to create a national framework to regulate sports betting advertising. It aims to set common standards to reduce harm, especially for minors and people at risk of gambling problems. It also requires the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to review its own rules to see if they limit harms from the growth of sports betting ads.

• Develops a national framework that may restrict ad volume, placement, scope, and celebrity/athlete endorsements (Content (2)(a)).
• Promotes research, data sharing, and standards for prevention, diagnosis, and supports for people harmed by gambling (Content (2)(b)–(c)).
• Requires broad consultations with provinces, Indigenous organizations, regulators, industry, and health experts (Consultations (3)).
• Mandates a public report on the framework and an implementation plan within 1 year of Royal Assent, plus a 5‑year follow‑up report (Reports to Parliament (1)–(3)).
• Requires the CRTC to review and report on its regulations within 1 year of Royal Assent (Commission Review (1)–(3)).

What it means for you#

• Households and parents

  • No immediate change to the ads you see. New rules could follow after the 1‑year framework and CRTC reviews (Reports to Parliament (1); Commission Review (2)).
  • Future standards may reduce the number, timing, or placement of sports betting ads and limit celebrity or athlete endorsements (Content (2)(a)).
  • National standards will aim to prevent and identify harmful gambling and improve supports for affected people (Content (2)(c)).

• People at risk of gambling harm

  • The framework must include standards for prevention, screening, and support measures (Content (2)(c)).
  • Governments will promote research and share information about minors and others affected by harmful gambling (Content (2)(b)).
  • These changes depend on later adoption and implementation. Services do not automatically expand under this bill alone (Reports to Parliament (1)).

• Sports bettors and fans

  • You may see fewer or different ads in the future, including limits on celebrity/athlete promos (Content (2)(a)).
  • Any changes will come after consultations and public reporting. Timing depends on federal and regulatory actions following the 1‑year reports (Reports to Parliament (1); Commission Review (2)).

• Broadcasters, streaming platforms, and publishers

  • The CRTC must review its rules and may recommend changes that affect ad inventory, scheduling, and content standards (Commission Review (1)–(2)).
  • You may need to adjust ad placement and creative if new rules restrict volume, placement, or endorsements (Content (2)(a)).

• Sports leagues, teams, athletes, and celebrities

  • Endorsements may be limited or banned under the future framework (Content (2)(a)).
  • Sponsorship and advertising revenue could be affected if rules curb the use of personalities in promos (Content (2)(a)).

• Betting operators and advertising firms

  • Expect consultations. You may face national standards on ad volume, placement, and endorsements (Consultations (3)(c); Content (2)(a)).
  • Compliance changes would follow after the 1‑year reports and any subsequent regulatory actions (Reports to Parliament (1); Commission Review (2)).

• Provinces, territories, Indigenous governments, and regulators

  • You will be consulted on the framework and standards (Consultations (3)(b)–(e)).
  • The framework seeks a standardized approach across Canada; alignment steps would follow publication and decisions by responsible bodies (Preamble; Content (2)).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No fiscal note is publicly provided for this bill. Data unavailable.
• The bill includes no direct appropriations or specified funding amounts. Data unavailable.
• Required activities include federal consultations, a national framework report within 1 year, a 5‑year implementation report, and a CRTC review within 1 year (Reports to Parliament (1)–(3); Commission Review (1)–(3)). Administrative costs are not estimated. Data unavailable.
• Any future compliance costs for industry or regulators would depend on later rules or standards. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• A national framework will reduce exposure to harmful advertising by limiting ad volume, placement, scope, and celebrity/athlete endorsements (Content (2)(a)).
• Common standards for prevention and diagnosis can improve early identification and support for people harmed by gambling, including minors (Content (2)(b)–(c)).
• The bill sets clear deadlines: a public framework and strategy within 1 year, and a CRTC review within 1 year, which creates accountability (Reports to Parliament (1)–(3); Commission Review (2)).
• Broad consultations with provinces, Indigenous organizations, health experts, and industry promote coordinated, evidence‑based rules (Consultations (3)).
• A standardized approach can reduce fragmented rules across Canada, lowering confusion for consumers and operators (Preamble; Content (2)).

Opponents' View#

• The bill does not include funding for prevention, treatment, or enforcement, so results may be limited without new resources (Content (2)(c); Reports to Parliament (1)).
• National standards may conflict with provincial jurisdiction over gaming and existing provincial ad rules, creating overlap or delays (Preamble; Consultations (3)(b), (e)).
• Potential restrictions on endorsements and ad volume could cut revenue for broadcasters, teams, and athletes; the bill provides no impact assessment or transition plan (Content (2)(a)).
• Enforcement and measurement challenges: the bill requires standards and reports but does not set metrics, penalties, or compliance mechanisms (Content (2); Reports to Parliament (1)).
• Timelines are tight. The CRTC and the Minister must review and report within 1 year, which could strain capacity and lead to modest or incomplete changes (Commission Review (2); Reports to Parliament (1)).