Ontario Operators May Face New Advertising Restrictions

Ontario Starts Review of Gambling Advertising

Ontario is looking at whether its current advertising rules still work. The review comes as the legal gambling market keeps growing. Tourism, Culture, and Gaming Minister Stan Cho said stronger rules may be needed. New research showed many more young people now see gambling advertisements.

The province will also study rules used in other countries. Australia may offer ideas for Ontario's next steps. Still, the review shows the province wants stronger player protection — without hurting the legal market.

Study Finds Sharp Rise in Gambling Ads

A recent medical study found gambling ads now reach far more people. Men aged 15 to 24 saw ad exposure rise by more than 300%. The results raised fresh concerns — especially for young sports fans. Experts said seeing many gambling ads could increase the risk of future problems.

Dr. Nigel Turner from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health shared those concerns. He said teenagers face a higher risk because they are still developing healthy habits. Microbetting has also become a concern. It lets users place many small bets during live sports events. Experts believe these quick bets keep people playing longer.

Turner warned Ontario should avoid creating another generation with gambling addiction. His comments added more weight to the review.

Current Rules May Not Go Far Enough

Ontario already bans gambling ads during live sports broadcasts. Even so, many operators still promote their brands through team deals and stadium signs. These ads remain easy to see — even during major games. Because of this, some officials believe the current rules leave gaps.

Ontario has also added new safety tools. One example is BetGuard, a self-exclusion service for players. It helps users block access across participating regulated casinos. Recent data showed regulated operators now handle more than 90% of all betting. That shows most users now choose legal casinos instead of unregulated ones.

More Changes Could Follow

Officials have not said what the final rules will look like. Several ideas are still under review. Possible changes include:

• Tighter limits on gambling ads.

• New rules for team sponsorships.

• Better protection for young people.

• Advertising rules similar to Australia's system.

Nevertheless, some lawmakers want a full ban on online gambling ads. Others support smaller changes that still protect young people.

The gambling market keeps growing — and tax income keeps rising. At the same time, concerns about gambling harm continue to grow. Hence, Ontario's next decision could shape gambling advertising for years to come.