Pediatrician Warns of Risks Posed by Sports Gambling Ads to Youth

Concerns are escalating regarding the impact of sports gambling advertisements on children and youth in Canada, as highlighted by Ottawa pediatrician Dr. Shawn Kelly. During a conversation with his seven-year-old son, a burgeoning hockey fan, Dr. Kelly realized the troubling intersection between sports and gambling. His son confused hockey statistics with gambling terms, illustrating how entrenched sports betting advertising has become in youth culture since the federal government lifted its ban on single-game sports betting in 2021.

The surge in sports betting advertisements, particularly following the legalization of online gambling in Ontario, has sparked calls for tighter regulations. Dr. Kelly, who specializes in both pediatrics and addiction medicine, emphasizes the potential dangers of exposing children and adolescents to these ads, which often accompany the sports broadcasts they enjoy. He expresses deep concern about the link between gambling and mental health issues, stating, “To me, it is terrifying. I don’t think of myself as a fretting, terrified person – I tend to work in the trenches – but this scares me.”

Together with Dr. Shannon Charlebois, medical editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), Dr. Kelly co-authored an editorial that warns of the harmful effects of sports betting advertising on youth. The editorial advocates for “strong, effective” legislation to safeguard children, urging the government to prioritize the passage of Bill S-211. This bill aims to create a national framework regulating sports betting advertisements and establishing standards to mitigate associated risks.

Statistics underscore the urgency of this issue. A 2019 survey of Canadian students in grades 7-12 revealed that approximately four percent of respondents expressed a desire to gamble, and two percent exhibited symptoms of gambling addiction. The normalization of gambling among young spectators has intensified since then, largely due to the accessibility of gambling platforms via smartphones. Dr. Kelly notes, “The legalization of online gambling (iGaming) in Ontario in 2022 turned any smartphone into a betting platform, compounding existing epidemics of technology and social media use addiction.”

The financial implications of iGaming are significant; between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Ontario saw a staggering $63 billion wagered, according to iGaming Ontario. Despite age restrictions that vary by province, underage gambling remains prevalent, with the Canadian Pediatric Society reporting cases starting as early as age ten. The potential consequences of problem gambling in minors are severe, linked to higher risks of suicide, substance use disorders, and violent behaviors.

Dr. Kelly highlights alarming statistics from various studies. For instance, a UK study found that men with gambling problems had a ninefold increased risk of suicide, while the risk for women was nearly fivefold. A separate study in Norway indicated that suicide was the leading cause of death among individuals with gambling issues from 2008 to 2021.

Describing the current landscape of gambling advertising as “the Wild West,” Dr. Kelly expresses concern over the lack of regulations governing these promotions. He draws a stark analogy, comparing the situation to constructing a playground on a cliff without safety barriers. “It just seems so irresponsible to open this advertising up in the way they did,” he remarked.

As more young people encounter gambling issues, Dr. Kelly warns of a potential epidemic, stating, “I don’t want to say we are in the midst of an epidemic — this is new — but the playground is on the cliff and it is only a matter of time.” He notes that adolescents are particularly vulnerable to risky behaviors due to developmental factors that skew their perception of rewards versus consequences.

The editorial concludes with a stern call to action, arguing that allowing widespread promotion of sports betting represents a reckless sacrifice of youth welfare for private profit and tax revenue. The authors urge Canadian jurisdictions to eliminate all commercials promoting sports betting during broadcasts likely to be viewed by minors.

The ongoing conversation about sports gambling advertising and its impact on youth continues to gain traction, highlighting the need for immediate governmental attention to safeguard the well-being of future generations.