Canada Urged to Implement National Strategy to Combat Gambling-Related Harms
Canada Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Calls for National Strategy on Gambling-Related Harms
In response to the ongoing challenges posed by gambling in Canada, the Canada Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has made a significant call for the introduction of a national strategy aimed at addressing gambling-related harms across the country. The CCSA argues that while legal gambling options have expanded, there is an urgent need for an effective preventative strategy to mitigate potential social and health consequences.
The Current Landscape of Gambling Regulation
Currently, gambling regulation in Canada falls under the jurisdiction of its crown provinces, presenting a fragmented approach to what has recently become a highly liberalized market. The CCSA emphasizes that a coordinated and comprehensive strategy is vital to counter the complexities arising from the increased availability of gambling options. Apps and websites licensed in provinces with lenient regulations are easily accessible in those with more stringent rules, diminishing the individual powers of these jurisdictions to limit gambling exposure.
Study Highlights Concerns but Lacks Direct Evidence
The push for a national strategy follows the publication of a study conducted by the CCSA in conjunction with Greo Evidence Insights. The report outlines concerns regarding the rising availability and marketing of gambling methods such as single-event sports betting, though it does not provide concrete statistical evidence of an increase in gambling-related harms since Ontario’s market was liberalized in 2022 or after the implementation of the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act in 2021. The report states, “The impact of these significant changes in gambling policy on the health of Canadians is largely unknown,’ underscoring the absence of national or provincial monitoring of gambling-related harms.
Risks Associated with Increased Gambling Opportunities
As legal gambling options continue to expand, the CCSA has identified four primary concerns exacerbated by the increase in availability and aggressive marketing:
- Rising Participation: Early evidence suggests a correlation between increased participation in gambling and escalated gambling harms, particularly within vulnerable demographic groups, although this information was not included in the report.
- High-Risk Betting Options: New types of betting facilitated by regulatory changes, such as single-event sports betting and in-play betting, have raised alarms about their association with greater risk of gambling harm.
- Targeted Advertising: The high volume of gambling-related advertisements poses risks, particularly for younger audiences, leading to a normalization of gambling that could influence their behavior.
- Societal Vulnerability: The legal expansion of gambling occurs alongside heightened vulnerability among Canadians due to ongoing economic pressures resulting from the cost of living crisis and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Insights from Ontario’s Liberalized Market
Ontario has been a focal point in the CCSA’s argument, as it is the only province currently operating under a liberalized gambling framework. The province recorded an astonishing CA$35.5 billion wagered online during its first year of legal gambling, a figure that the CCSA argues indicates the impact of legalization extends beyond a mere shift from illegal to legal gambling. The report points to a substantial 300% increase in stakes over just a year, from CA$4.08 billion in the first quarter of FY2022-2023 to CA$17.8 billion in the fourth quarter of FY2023-2024.
Legislative Response and Future Steps
This discussion coincides with a growing movement advocating for stringent gambling advertising restrictions in Canada. Bill S-269, currently under consideration by a parliamentary committee, seeks to curtail gambling ads by limiting their number and scope while banning celebrity endorsements in sports betting.
Dr. Matthew Young, chief research officer at Greo and senior associate at the CCSA, highlighted the overwhelming nature of gambling advertising, stating, “We can no longer watch sports with our kids or go online without being subjected to an overwhelming amount of gambling advertising.” He noted that Canada is at a critical juncture regarding its management of gambling.
Proposition for a National Strategy
In light of these developments, the CCSA has outlined a proposal for a national strategy to manage and mitigate gambling harms effectively. Key components of this strategy include:
- Establishing national standards for the promotion and provision of gambling products.
- Implementing systematic monitoring of gambling-related harms to better track their social and economic costs.
- Addressing funding inadequacies for harm prevention and research initiatives across provinces.
- Enhancing awareness of gambling risks among health and social service professionals.
Dr. Young emphasized the necessity of a structured framework akin to its counterparts governing alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, particularly to safeguard vulnerable populations, including youth.
Looking Ahead
Future developments of the national gambling strategy could involve regulating emerging gambling practices, such as esports betting and loot boxes, to further protect younger audiences. The CCSA also advocates for a unified enforcement approach across provinces to combat unlicensed operators and standardize harm prevention messaging.
Dr. Pam Kent, director of research at the CCSA, cautioned against the societal impacts of rising gambling, insisting that the increasing prevalence of gambling necessitates a thoughtful assessment of its broader implications, which include healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity costs stemming from gambling-related issues.
As discussions around gambling grow, the call for a cohesive national strategy becomes more relevant than ever, reflecting a critical need for a balanced approach to managing gambling in Canada.