The Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial calls for ads to be restricted during sports broadcasts. Image: AP Photo
Sports betting ads are flooding screens, and doctors say it’s putting young people at serious risk.
An editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal warns that these flashy promotions are creating a generation vulnerable to gambling addiction. The rise of online betting, now legal across Canada, has made every smartphone a potential casino.
Dr. Shannon Charlebois, a family physician and one of the editorial’s authors, is sounding the alarm.
Why Kids Are at Risk
Betting companies insist their platforms are only for adults aged 19 and over. But that hasn’t stopped teens from being bombarded with ads during every major sports broadcast.
Charlebois points out that adolescent brains are still developing. Constant exposure to gambling messages wires them to see betting as part of enjoying sports. That habit, she warns, can easily follow them into adulthood.
She says this influence is especially strong on youth who are naturally drawn to risky behavior. For them, the normalization of gambling is particularly dangerous.
Sports Betting Ads Everywhere, No Limits
During a typical hockey or football game, it’s nearly impossible to avoid betting logos. Commercial breaks feature promotions. Company names are projected onto fields and rinks. Some broadcasts weave betting odds directly into commentary.
“There’s no limit on how many ads can appear in a sports broadcast,” Charlebois explains. “And there’s no cap on their length.”
This unchecked exposure, she says, turns a known harmful behavior into something socially acceptable—especially for impressionable kids.
Real Lives, Real Consequences
Charlebois has seen gambling addiction destroy lives. It can happen to anyone—from established professionals to students hoping to stretch their savings.
“I’ve seen an accountant lose everything,” she recalls. “And I’ve seen a student lose his entire college fund in just weeks.”
The fallout is not just financial. Addiction strains relationships, mental health, and self-esteem, often leaving long-term scars.
A Push for Regulation
There is some movement toward change. A bill now before the Senate aims to regulate sports betting advertising in Canada. If passed, Charlebois says, it would be “a good start.”
She believes stricter rules are needed, including removing gambling ads from social media platforms popular with youth. She also wants restrictions on showing these ads during games.
What’s Next?
The debate over sports betting ads is far from over. On one side are powerful betting companies profiting from a growing industry. On the other are health professionals warning about the human cost.
For now, every game watched by a child risks becoming a lesson in gambling—not just in sports.
