MPs Study Bill S-211 to Curb Sports Betting Ads in Canada

MPs are now studying a federal bill that would restrict sports betting advertising across Canada. Bill S-211 came before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on Wednesday.

Witnesses cited rising gambling harms among young men in Ontario. Liberal MP Michael Coteau said he wants the bill to go further. "I hope this legislation gets to a point where we can ban completely across this country," Coteau said. The bill could affect sports betting operators in Ontario, Alberta, and other provinces. However, some provincial governments and a Bloc Québécois MP have raised objections.

What Bill S-211 Proposes and Where It Stands

Sen. Marty Deacon introduced Bill S-211 in the Senate in May 2025. Its short title is the National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act.

The bill would not ban sports betting ads outright. Instead, it would require the Minister of Canadian Heritage to develop a national framework with standards to reduce harm from sports betting ads.

It would also direct the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to review its broadcasting rules. The Senate passed the bill in October 2025. In April, MPs approved it at second reading by a vote of 291 to 28. Liberal MP Bardish Chagger sponsors the bill in the House of Commons.

Sponsors Cite Rising Gambling Harms Among Young Men

Deacon told the committee that gambling-related emergency room visits in Ontario have nearly doubled since 2021, citing a University of Toronto study. She warned that it "takes literal seconds between seeing an ad and placing a bet."

Chagger pointed to research showing young men are disproportionately affected. She added that young fans should be inspired by athletes and competition. "Gambling should not be an expected part of being a sports fan," Chagger said. A study published in March in the Canadian Medical Association Journal examined data from ConnexOntario, a provincial helpline for addiction, mental health, and gambling services.

It estimated a 144% rise in gambling-related contacts among males ages 15 to 24. The researchers linked that rise to Ontario's private online gambling market.

Provinces, Quebec MP, and Broadcasters Raise Concerns

Not everyone backs the bill. Alberta Minister Dale Nally said the bill would create a two-tier regulatory system. He also warned that it could threaten future provincial revenue.

Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey said the province should be left to regulate gambling advertising. Bloc Québécois MP Martin Champoux said he cannot support the bill in its current form, citing conflicts with existing Quebec legislation.

Kevin Desjardins, CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, urged caution. He said Parliament should first ask, "What specific problem are we trying to solve?" A committee vote on the bill planned for Thursday did not take place. The meeting adjourned after members debated unrelated motions.