This month, the Canadian Medical Association Journal called for tough new restrictions on sports betting ads, arguing that the endless barrage of commercials is setting up youth for a future of problem gambling.
“Such advertising insidiously normalizes a harmful activity, and children are being exposed, to their detriment,” the editorial reads. “Canadian jurisdictions should act to eliminate all commercials that promote sports betting during broadcasts where minors are likely to see them.”
Dr. Shannon Charlebois, who co-authored the editorial, was a recent guest on Village Media’s new Closer Look podcast.
“I completely feel that until 9 p.m., by definition, there should be no sports betting ads,” said Charlebois, a family physician. “It's simply ridiculous we're allowing this. We don't allow cigarette commercials, and we don't allow cocaine commercials — which also ruins lives.”
Charlebois also had some pointed words for high-profile athletes like Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky, who have been featured in ads for sports betting companies.
“These people are good at what they do. What they do is hockey and not ethics,” she said. “If they don't do it, somebody else will do it. I'm not impressed with them, and I would give them a good tongue-lashing if I had them in front of me.”
She urged people to remember that the “exorbitant sums of money” celebrities are being paid for sports gambling ads comes at a huge cost.
“At the end of the day, we all have to be very clear that that profit is coming because the house always wins — because these companies are profiting the most off people who are having severe repercussions,” Charlebois said. “They're not making money off the guy who occasionally places $5 on something. They're making money off the person who keeps gambling despite negative consequences.”
You can watch the full episode HERE.
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