Newsletters

Bill S‑211 is moving. The national framework on sports-betting advertising passed the Senate and then took a major step on April 22, when the House of Commons advanced it by 298 votes — Prime Minister Carney among them. The bill would require a national framework restricting the volume, scope, and placement of betting ads, direct the CRTC to review its regulations, and mandate public hearings within a year. In those hearings the campaign will argue for a full advertising ban — and against “responsible gambling” messaging, which the research shows does not reduce harm.

A setback in Ontario. MPP Lee Fairclough's Bill 107, which would have barred Ontario betting operators from advertising, was defeated 60–33 by the Ford government — but ministers say they're watching the issue, which tells us the pressure is working. We're seeking a meeting with Minister Cho.

The evidence keeps mounting. A CMAJ editorial calls for strong legislation to protect young Canadians from gambling advertising, and the landmark CCSA / Greo / Mental Health Research Canada report — drawing on more than 8,000 Canadians — found that 69.4% of young adults who gambled online met the criteria for problem gambling, and nearly one in four experienced high levels of harm. Two new books, Darragh McGee's Imitation Games and Danny Funt's Everybody Loses, tell the story of how we got here.

Campaign news. Our letter-writing campaign has generated almost 200 letters to MPs since February; a fully overhauled website launches in early August alongside new ad campaigns and a social-media presence. The campaign is financially stable thanks to generous donors — and growing our reach depends on continued support.

What you can do right now: write your MP (the letter tool on this site takes a minute), write your MPP, share the research, and stay with us.