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Bill S-269

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

SENATE OF CANADA

BILL S-269
An Act respecting a national framework on advertising for sports betting
FIRST READING, June 20, 2023

THE HONOURABLE SENATOR DEACON (ONTARIO)
4412322


SUMMARY

This enactment provides for the development of a national framework to regulate advertising for sports betting in Canada and to set national standards for prevention of risk for persons negatively impacted. It also provides for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to review its regulations and policies to assess their adequacy and effectiveness in reducing the incidence of harms resulting from the proliferation of advertising of sports betting.

Available on the Senate of Canada website at the following address:
www.sencanada.ca/en


1st Session, 44th Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

SENATE OF CANADA

BILL S-269

An Act respecting a national framework on advertising for sports betting

Preamble

Whereas the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act came into force on August 27, 2021, and made it lawful for the government of a province or a person or entity licensed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of that province to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in the province that involves betting on a race — other than a horse race — a fight or a single sporting event or athletic contest;

Whereas the proliferation of advertising for sports betting and other forms of gambling activities has become pervasive in Canadian society;

Whereas research has shown that increased exposure to advertising for gambling activities leads to increased participation in these gambling activities, particularly by minors and those at a heightened risk of harms from harmful gambling behaviours;

Whereas various non-standardized approaches have been adopted across the country for sports betting;

Whereas other countries where sports betting is prominent have developed approaches, in the public interest, to restrict the advertising of sports betting;

And whereas Parliament recognizes the need for a reasonable and standardized approach across Canada to reduce the incidence and risk of harm that could result from the proliferation of advertising and promotion of gambling activities for both minors and others who are at risk of such harm;

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act.

Interpretation

Definitions

2 The following definitions apply in this Act.

Commission means the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. (Conseil)

Minister means the Minister of Canadian Heritage. (ministre)

National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting

National framework

3 (1) The Minister must develop a national framework on advertising for sports betting.

Content

(2) The national framework must

  • (a) identify measures to regulate the advertising of sports betting in Canada, with a view to restricting the use of such advertising, limiting the number, scope or location — or a combination of these — of the advertisements or to limiting or banning the participation of celebrities and athletes in the promotion of sports betting;

  • (b) identify measures to promote research and intergovernmental information-sharing related both to the prevention and diagnosis of minors involved in harmful gambling activities and to support measures for persons who are impacted by it; and

  • (c) set out national standards for the prevention and diagnosis of harmful gambling and addiction and for support measures for persons who are impacted by it.

Consultations

(3) For the purpose of developing the national framework, the Minister must consult with

  • (a) the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Health; the Minister of Employment and Social Development, the Minister responsible for mental health and addictions, the Minister of Indigenous Services, and any other ministers who, in the Minister’s opinion, have relevant responsibilities;

  • (b) representatives of the provincial and territorial governments, including those responsible for consumer affairs, health, mental health and addictions;

  • (c) relevant stakeholders, including self-advocates, service providers and representatives from the medical and research communities and from organizations within the advertising and gambling industries whom the Minister considers as having relevant experience and expertise related to harmful gambling activities and the role of advertising pertaining to gambling activities;

  • (d) Indigenous communities and organizations with predominantly Indigenous leadership;

  • (e) provincial gaming regulators and individuals and organizations associated with sports and ethics; and

  • (f) any other person or entity that the Minister considers appropriate.

Reports to Parliament

Report on national framework and strategy

4 (1) Within one year after the day on which this Act comes into force, the Minister must prepare a report setting out both the national framework for the regulation of advertising of sports betting and a strategy for implementing the national framework.

Tabling in Parliament

(2) The Minister must cause the report prepared under subsection (1) to be tabled before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report is completed.

Publication

(3) The Minister must publish the report on the Department of Canadian Heritage website within 10 days after the day on which the report is tabled in Parliament.

Implementation report

5 Within five years after the day on which the report referred to in section 4 is tabled in Parliament, the Minister must cause to be tabled in each House of Parliament a report that sets out

  • (a) the measures from the national framework that have been implemented and an evaluation of their effectiveness in establishing standardized regulations and the effects of those measures and regulations on persons who are impacted by them; and

  • (b) with respect to any measures included in the national framework that were not implemented, the reasons why they have not been implemented and any timeline for their implementation.

Commission Review of Regulations and Policies

Review

6 (1) The Commission must review its regulations and policies to assess their adequacy and effectiveness in reducing the incidence of harms resulting from the proliferation of advertising for sports betting.

Report

(2) A report containing the Commission’s conclusions and recommendations must be provided to the Minister no later than the first anniversary of the day on which this Act receives royal assent.

Tabling

(3) The Minister must cause the report to be tabled in each House of Parliament within the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the day on which the Minister receives it.

Published under authority of the Senate of Canada

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