Canada Gambling Advertising Bill: NHL, NFL Express Concerns

Amid this expansion, Canadian lawmakers are considering a new gambling advertising bill that continues to stir controversy. Bill S-269 proposes to restrict gambling advertising. The bill recently gained urgency after a Senate Transportation and Communications Committee meeting sent it to the full House for further consideration.

Among those paying attention to the bill are the NHL and NFL. Both leagues voiced concerns about the proposed restrictions in a letter sent to the Canadian Senate late last month. The letter was published on the Senate website, confirming both leagues’ concerns.

These concerns could complicate the future of S-269. Criticism has also come from other industry players, including the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Canadian Football League.

Conal Berberich, vice president of the NHL, said in his letter that the league supports efforts to protect players. However, he questioned the need for national legislation given the industry’s track record of working together to protect consumers and effective provincial regulation of sports betting.

He added that advertising restrictions could be counterproductive because advertising helps consumers make informed choices and allows sportsbooks to differentiate themselves from competitors.

Jonathan Nabavi, vice president of public policy and government affairs for the NFL, also voiced his concerns. He noted that despite the growth of the legal betting market in the United States, the illegal sector continues to exist and even exceeds initial estimates. Nabavi argues that legalization alone does not guarantee the disappearance of the illegal market. According to him, severe restrictions can negatively affect the legal industry. "Unjustifiably restricting responsible advertising will inevitably hinder important efforts to redirect illegal betting to the legal market," he emphasized. The executive also noted the importance of effective cooperation, active monitoring and rapid suppression of illegal operators as a way to combat the black market. In conclusion, Nabavi expressed the NFL's readiness to continue discussions on this topic with the Commission.