Canada’s Call for a National Strategy on Gambling: A Push to Combat Rising Harms and Protect Vulnerable Populations
CCSA Calls for National Strategy to Tackle Gambling-Related Harms in Canada
The Canada Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has emphatically urged the Canadian government to implement a national strategy addressing the harms associated with gambling. In a landscape where the availability of gambling options has expanded markedly, the CCSA argues that a coordinated approach to prevention and harm reduction is essential.
Current Regulatory Landscape and Concerns
In Canada, gambling regulation falls under the purview of the crown provinces, which has allowed for diverse approaches across the country. This regulatory landscape is undergoing significant changes, particularly since Ontario liberalized its gambling market in 2022 and the enactment of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act in 2021. This shift, the CCSA warns, highlights the inadequacies of a fragmented system, where the effects of broad online gambling offerings are felt across jurisdictions.
Proliferating advertisements and expanded access have raised alarms about the potential for increased gambling-related harms. The CCSA’s concerns are underscored by a recent study conducted in collaboration with researchers from Greo Evidence Insights, which emphasizes the absence of systematic monitoring of gambling-related issues at both national and provincial levels.
Rising Awareness of Gambling Harms
In its report, the CCSA cites that despite the favorable regulatory changes, there is no concrete evidence linking the liberalization of Ontario’s gambling market to a rise in gambling-related harms thus far. However, the report hypothesizes that the increased availability and advertising of gambling could create a conducive environment for harm.
The CCSA outlines four key concerns regarding the current state of gambling in Canada:
- Early Evidence of Increased Participation: Although not detailed in the report, preliminary findings suggest a correlation between increased gambling participation and subsequent harms—particularly among vulnerable populations.
- Greater Risks from Betting Types: The introduction of options like single-event sports betting and in-game betting adds layers of risk for users, particularly young and inexperienced bettors.
- Advertising Normalization: The pervasive nature of gambling advertisements normalizes betting behavior, which raises particular concerns for younger audiences who may be more impressionable.
- Vulnerability Due to Economic Pressures: The current economic climate, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, renders Canadians more susceptible to gambling-related harm.
Evidence from Ontario
Ontario serves as a critical case study for the CCSA’s claims regarding gambling proliferation. In its initial year of legalized online sports betting, a staggering CA$35.5 billion was wagered—an amount that far exceeds the anticipated movement from illegal to legal gambling. The CCSA points out variations in gambling behavior, noting that from the first quarter of the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the last quarter of 2023-2024, stakes surged from CA$4.08 billion to CA$17.8 billion, suggesting an alarming escalation in gambling activities.
Calls for Advertising Restrictions
As these concerns gain traction, there are increasing calls within Canada for stricter regulations regarding gambling advertisements. Bill S-269, which is currently under consideration by a parliamentary committee, aims to restrict the proliferation of gambling ads. The legislation seeks to cap the number, scope, and visibility of such advertising and eliminate the use of celebrity endorsements in gambling promotions.
Dr. Matthew Young, chief research officer at Greo and a senior research associate at the CCSA, expressed urgency regarding the current gambling landscape: “We have seen a massive increase in gambling advertising… Canada is at a critical moment in how it manages gambling.”
The Proposal for a National Strategy
In light of these findings, the CCSA has put forth a comprehensive proposal for a national strategy aimed at curbing gambling-related harms. Key components of this strategy include:
- Establishing national standards for the promotion and provision of gambling products.
- Setting up a national body to oversee these standards, ensuring neutrality and avoiding conflicts of interest.
- Ensuring sufficient funding for harm prevention initiatives and research across provincial borders.
- Implementing systematic monitoring and surveillance of gambling-related harm to accurately assess its social and economic costs.
- Increasing public and professional awareness of the potential harms associated with gambling.
Furthermore, future development of this strategy might encompass the regulation of esports betting and loot boxes to better protect youth, as well as coordinated efforts to combat unlicensed operators through payment blocking measures.
Conclusion
Dr. Pam Kent, director of research and emerging trends at the CCSA, highlighted the urgent need for a strategic approach to gambling in Canada: “Increased gambling will ‘undoubtedly’ result in increased harms… We need to think about our approach.” The CCSA’s proposal emphasizes a balanced perspective, weighing immediate government revenues against the potential long-term societal costs associated with gambling-related harms. As Canada navigates these changes, implementing a national strategy appears crucial for safeguarding public health and well-being.