Minister, Senator Marty Deacon has introduced legislation designed to address advertising for sports betting, an industry whose message feeds off what for many is a destructive addiction to gambling and whose profits come from people who, in some cases, can ill afford it. Exploiting people in the hopes of an easy win is at the heart of gambling. After all, “Give us your money, and in all likelihood you’ll never see it again” is not much of a marketing slogan. As the saying goes, you are the one gambling; the house knows it will come out ahead.

The impact of sports betting can also serve as a corrupting influence among players and officials in the sports involved. You cannot legislate away human weaknesses, but you can limit the ability of others to profit from that weakness.

Given the growing recognition of this problem, does the government intend to have the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission restrict advertising for sports betting?

Currently, the Government of Canada doesn’t allow advertising for alcohol and tobacco. Surely the fact that exceptions have been made in the past suggests that more can be made in the future. The successful campaign to restrict alcohol and cigarette advertising can provide guidance for similar efforts in this area.

A key argument when we voted on legislation for single-sport betting was that it would regulate sports betting in Canada, strengthen consumer protections to ensure the safety of those participating and bring revenue and tax dollars inside our borders to invest back into our communities. Where are the measures to protect Canadians?