Pediatricians Warn of Risks from Sports Betting Ads Targeting Youth

Concerns over the impact of sports betting advertisements on children and adolescents have intensified, particularly following the legalization of single-game sports betting in Canada. Dr. Shawn Kelly, a pediatrician based in Ottawa, shared a personal experience that highlights this growing issue. During a conversation with his seven-year-old son, a hockey enthusiast, the boy confused sports statistics with gambling terminology. “It was at that moment I realized that his exposure to hockey and learning the game was so tied in and indistinguishable from the advertising for iGaming that he was conflating the two in his mind,” Kelly commented.

The surge in sports betting advertisements has coincided with changes in federal legislation. Since the Canadian government lifted its ban on single-game sports betting in 2021, Ontario has seen a significant influx of gambling promotions during sports broadcasts. This has raised alarms among healthcare professionals about the potential risks to youth, who are increasingly exposed to these advertisements.

According to a recently published editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), co-authored by Kelly and Dr. Shannon Charlebois, the normalization of gambling among young audiences raises serious concerns. Kelly, who specializes in addictions medicine, emphasized the link between problem gambling and severe mental health issues, including an increased risk of suicide. “To me, it is terrifying,” he stated. “This scares me,” he added, reflecting a deep concern for the future of children in an environment saturated with gambling messages.

The editorial urges the federal government to implement robust regulations to protect minors from gambling advertisements. Central to their recommendations is the expedited passage of Bill S-211, a legislative proposal aimed at developing a national framework to regulate sports betting advertisements and establish standards for their content. The authors argue that current age restrictions on gambling, which vary from 18 to 19 years depending on the province, are insufficient in preventing underage access to gambling content.

A survey conducted in 2019 revealed troubling statistics: approximately four percent of Canadian students in grades 7-12 reported an urge to gamble, while two percent exhibited symptoms of gambling addiction. The normalization of gambling as part of sports viewership has only compounded these issues, with the authors of the editorial noting that smartphones have turned devices into accessible betting platforms. “The legalization of online gambling in Ontario in 2022 turned any smartphone into a betting platform,” they wrote, highlighting the intersection of technology and gambling as a growing concern.

The financial stakes in Ontario’s gambling market are substantial. Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, approximately $63 billion was wagered in the province, according to figures from iGaming Ontario. Despite strict age-related regulations, underage gambling remains prevalent, often beginning before children reach the age of ten, according to the Canadian Pediatric Society.

The editorial underscores the alarming consequences of problem gambling among youth, linking it to increased risks of suicide, substance abuse, theft, and violent behavior. Citing various studies, the authors highlight that males with gambling problems are nine times more likely to consider suicide, while females face an almost fivefold increase in risk. A study conducted in Norway from 2008 to 2021 identified suicide as the leading cause of death among individuals with gambling problems.

Kelly likened the current landscape of gambling advertisements to “the Wild West,” describing it as a dangerous time for youth. He criticized the lack of substantial regulations surrounding gambling promotions, stating, “It just seems so irresponsible to open this advertising up in the way they did.” He further warned that the potential for increased gambling-related issues among youth is significant, stating, “I don’t want to say we are in the midst of an epidemic — this is new — but the playground is on the cliff, and it is only a matter of time.”

The editorial calls for immediate action to eliminate all sports betting commercials during broadcasts likely to be viewed by minors. It argues that allowing such pervasive promotion of sports betting compromises the future of Canadian youth in favor of private profit and tax revenue. As the debate continues, the health implications of gambling advertising remain a pressing concern for pediatricians, parents, and policymakers alike.