Has Trudeau’s Resignation Thrown Canadian Gambling Into Disarray?
Gambling was set to undergo major reforms in Canada. However, with Justin Trudeau's resignation, this bill will now be delayed or thrown out entirely. We discuss Canadian gambling and whether the bill will be resurrected.
Once the Liberal Party has chosen its successor, Justin Trudeau will step down. His announcement was made at the start of January, right on the advent of the New Year. The explanation was that he is currently fighting internal battles and that the country needs a leader who can concentrate on it. This followed news before the Christmas break that Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was also leaving. It was on the day she was supposed to present the Fall Economic Statement. This has followed mounting pressure for Trudeau's resignation as his public opinion has dropped dramatically.
Suggested Changes to Gambling Advertising
There is worry that this could kill the proposed bill stone dead. All parliamentary affairs have stopped until the end of March while a replacement is found. This means any Senate or House of Commons business is on ice until the next session. The proposal in place was known as Bill S-269 and would see a reform of Canadian gambling by the Minister for Canadian Heritage. This would have been a framework for the use of sports betting and gambling advertising in the country.
This act was one of many that have stalled in Parliament this year. It was pushed forward in November by the Senate. However, two opposing parties clashed over redacted documents. Under Canadian law, any bills that don’t have royal assent are terminated when a parliament closes. Now, they must be revived at the next session. The only exception is that some laws can be taken up from where they were left if a motion is voted to do so. However, this also seems unlikely.
Canada offers a provincial approach to gambling, letting each province generally manage its own gambling affairs and activities. The online casino sector across the country is expected to reach around US$2.87bn by the end of 2025. This is expected to rise to US$3.49bn by 2029. Added to this is the revenue for sports betting and lotteries. This has made it a very appealing market for providers. Services like Canadian Bonusfinder have proliferated, reviewing casinos and gambling services for customers, letting the industry flourish. With many casinos offering attractive welcome bonuses, it has also managed to attract more people to the industry and get them signed up for games. All of this has provided an attractive taxable revenue stream for the country. Many people still harbor concerns over the harm gambling can do, particularly if advertising targets those who are under the legal age.
What Was the Canadian Gambling Bill About?
The Canadian gambling bill was discussed around July last year in its earliest forms. The bill faced opposition from the Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie. He believed in an open letter that gambling did not require a national framework. While he did say nothing was perfect and they welcomed constructive change, he also stated that they must remain open-minded and continue to learn and evolve. He believed the football league had already taken the right measures to limit people's exposure to gambling advertising.
Canada is not the only country that has been considering bans. Similar discussions have been made in Australia and the US. Organizations like the NFL limit themselves to six ads for gambling per game and in that way, self-regulate. In 2023 a bill was filed in the US calling for a blanket ban. However, it is unknown if this will be followed through with the current government.
Metrolinx Gambling Sponsorships Quashed
In other Canadian gambling news, it was reported that last year Metrolinx pursued a deal involving naming rights with Canadian gambling companies. Metrolinx is the department of transportation in Canada. Jackpot City is a popular online casino brand. The discussion was in relation to the Exhibition GO station in Toronto. Metrolinx has previously used naming rights to great effect in other cases. However, this one was given the brakes at the ministerial level.
A statement from the company reiterated that when naming rights are given, a careful assessment takes place. This involves an evaluation by the government and Metrolinx itself. This is to ensure it meets all statutory and advertising policies.
Ontario's gambling market regulations were launched in 2022. Jackpot City has been a figure since the start and has had heavy marketing campaigns all over North America. It has done deals with plenty of major sports brands, including Toronto Rock. It has also been part of entertainment festivals like the Toronto Festival.
With gambling constantly evolving, it is likely the bill will be resurrected. If not in its previous form, then it will come in some guise. For those using services, it seems like laws will stay as they are for the foreseeable future, and there should not be any reason for services to change over the next year or so.