Take gambling ads off Calgary's buses.
Campaign supporter Jennifer Diakiw's letter to her Calgary councillor, asking City Council to prohibit gambling advertising on city-owned assets — a model for writing to your own municipal representatives.
July 24, 2026
Mr. DJ Kelly
Ward 4 Councillor
City of Calgary
Dear Mr. Kelly,
You may be aware the second reading of Senate Bill S-211 (The National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act) received strong bi-partisan support in Parliament on April 22, 2026 (291–28). It was referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for further study, where it remains. In plain language, this Bill seeks to ban gambling advertising.
You may ask why I am reaching out to a municipal official on this federal matter. Many harms resulting from gambling have a direct impact on a wide range of Calgary's services. As my councillor, you are in a unique position, as Vice-Chair of Council's Executive Committee, to influence Council's agendas and priorities. In addition, knowing your longstanding interest in amateur sport, I thought this issue might resonate with you.
Gambling ads are everywhere — on TV, social media, radio and I recently saw a City of Calgary bus with a full wrap, advertising Betty's Casino. I am asking City Council to adopt a policy prohibiting gambling advertising on City-owned assets, including Calgary Transit vehicles and stations, recreation facilities, and other municipal advertising spaces.
Advertising normalizes and amplifies the message that gambling is harmless entertainment. This is not true. The mental health issues arising from gambling addiction are well documented. It affects individuals, families, communities and our economy — with outcomes including debt, domestic abuse, unemployment and serious depression, to name just a few. And municipalities bear the costs of services that respond to these outcomes, including policing, community safety, housing, and social supports.
There is growing evidence gambling also has a negative impact on sport itself. Athletes in sports where betting is allowed are increasingly subjected to abuse and threats from disappointed gamblers.
Gambling, like smoking is a legal activity. Yet both have devastating outcomes. This is why I am asking City Council to acknowledge and address the very real societal costs and harms to our community. One way to do this is to ban gambling advertising. I believe this principled stand would be widely supported. Advertising does make a difference. A recent CPA Canada survey found that among Canadians who gambled online in the past year, more than one in four (27 per cent) said advertising influenced them to place a bet.
I would appreciate knowing if you would bring this issue before Council, asking Administration to develop a policy prohibiting gambling ads on municipal assets. I understand the City already has discretion over advertising on municipal property, so an amendment prohibiting gambling advertising seems well within its authority.
In addition to the CPA Canada survey, there are numerous sources in support of banning gambling ads, which I would be pleased to share with you at your request.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Diakiw