TORONTO — Medical professionals are advocating for stricter regulations on sports betting advertisements, warning that these promotions could lead to increased problem gambling among young people. An editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the pervasive nature of these ads during sports broadcasts, particularly following the legalization of online gambling, which has turned smartphones into accessible betting platforms.

Dr. Shannon Charlebois, the editorial's editor, emphasizes that while betting sites claim to target individuals aged 19 and older, youth are bombarded with advertisements that link sports enjoyment to gambling. She notes that the developing brains of children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to these messages, which can normalize harmful behaviors that may persist into adulthood.

Charlebois supports a bill currently in the Senate that aims to regulate sports betting advertising. If enacted, she believes it would be a significant step toward addressing the issue. She advocates for restrictions on gambling ads during live sports events and their removal from social media platforms frequented by young people. "There’s no limit on how many of these ads can be placed within a sports broadcast or how long they can be," Charlebois stated. She pointed out that betting platform names are often displayed on football fields and hockey rinks, and commentators frequently have segments dedicated to betting discussions during game breaks.

"What’s very dangerous about this for children is that it’s normalizing a known harmful behavior during an impressionable stage. And it’s really appealing in particular to youth who are genetically, biologically predisposed to enjoy risk-taking," Charlebois added. She shared her concerns about the devastating impact of gambling, recounting stories of individuals from various backgrounds whose lives have been upended by addiction, including a young person who lost their college fund in a matter of weeks.

Dr. Shawn Kelly, an adolescent addiction specialist in Ottawa and co-author of the editorial, noted that while he primarily encounters substance use issues among his patients, he has begun screening for gambling behaviors, recognizing it as an emerging concern. He pointed out that the stigma surrounding gambling addiction often leads individuals to conceal their struggles and hesitate to seek help.

Kelly also remarked that age restrictions and identity verification measures on betting sites are not foolproof deterrents. "There are certain age restrictions and identity verification attempts that go into these (betting sites), but youth have been buying alcohol for a long time, despite the age restrictions around that — and so where there is a motivated adolescent, a way will be found," he explained.

Even advertisements not specifically aimed at youth can still influence them, Kelly noted, sharing his experience watching sports with his twin children. "These ads are not directed at the nine-year-olds sitting with me but they are picking up on it," he said.

The editorial and the doctors' calls for action reflect growing concerns about the impact of sports betting advertising on young audiences.