Bill S-211, titled An Act Respecting a National Framework on Sports, received its first reading in the House of Commons yesterday. Earlier in the process, the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) submitted information to the Senate, aiming to inform members about provincial rights and the existing policies and regulations throughout Canada that govern gaming advertising.
In its submission, CGA emphasized that Canada’s gaming advertising environment is already highly regulated through existing provincial oversight, advertising standards, and consumer protection frameworks. The Association noted that provinces have demonstrated proven expertise over the past four decades in managing gaming operations responsibly, and that the proposed federal framework would duplicate existing systems and undermine effective provincial regulation.
CGA also provided data-backed insights showing that gaming ads represent only about 2 % of total television advertising in Canada, with no gaming companies among the top advertisers during the 2025 NHL Playoffs.
The submission reinforced the industry’s commitment to responsible advertising and consumer protection, highlighting Ontario’s success in transitioning nearly 90 % of online gambling into the regulated marketplace since 2022.