As senators urge Prime Minister Mark Carney to outlaw sports gambling ads in Canada, we revisit our recent ‘Closer Look’ episode about the dangers these commercials pose to children and teens
Here’s a safe bet: If you watch a hockey game tonight, you’re going to see a gambling commercial. They’re impossible to miss these days.
But as doctors continue to sound the alarm — warning parents that all those gambling commercials pose a major risk to children and teens — a group of senators is demanding action. More than 40 have signed a petition urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to ban all gambling ads in Canada.
“People of all ages [are] exposed to a constant stream of advertisements promising a ‘premium gaming experience’ and urging them to turn their phone into a pocket-sized casino,” the petition letter reads. “We are asking for a ban on all advertising for sports gambling apps and websites. Such a measure would be similar to the advertising ban for cigarettes, and for the same reason: to address a public health problem.”
Back in September, the Canadian Medical Association Journal issued the same call to action in a much-publicized editorial.
“It’s simply ridiculous we’re allowing this,” said Dr. Shannon Charlebois, the co-author of the editorial, during a recent interview on Village Media’s Closer Look podcast. “We don’t allow cigarette commercials, and we don’t allow cocaine commercials — which also ruins lives.”
During the podcast interview, Charlebois also had some pointed words for high-profile athletes like Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky, who’ve starred in ads for sports betting companies.
“These people are good at what they do. What they do is hockey and not ethics,” she said. “If they don’t do it, somebody else will do it. I’m not impressed with them, and I would give them a good tongue-lashing if I had them in front of me.”
You can watch the full episode HERE.
Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.
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Podcast hosts Scott Sexsmith (left) and Michael Friscolanti, Editor-in-Chief of Village Media.