Canadian Gaming Association responds to editorial calling for restrictions on gambling ads
The CGA pointed out robust regulations are already in place and the volume of gambling ads is being overstated. Also, FINTRAC takes action again, this time against SIGA.
The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has responded to a Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) editorial that calls for a national framework on gambling advertising and suggests gambling ads are setting young people up for an increased risk of problem gambling.
You can read the CGA’s full response here, but, essentially, the CGA, the national trade association of gambling operators, argued there are robust safeguards already in place, a regulated market is far superior to grey market operators that provide no protection for Canadian consumers and pointed out the volume of gambling ads is not only being overstated, it’s actually declining.
“While gambling can have risks, its impact depends on regulation and individual circumstances,” said the CGA statement. “As gambling becomes more embedded in digital platforms and everyday experiences, oversight and regulation are important to reduce potential harm. The CGA has encouraged provincial governments to strengthen regulatory frameworks to address issues related to unlicensed operators.”
The CGA pointed out that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has strong regulatory standards that requires operators to “comply with over 20 requirements concerning gambling advertising.
“Our position has consistently been that discussions surrounding advertising should be ongoing and informed by evidence-based research. Furthermore, we maintain that a robust regulatory framework must encompass comprehensive measures aimed at educating and safeguarding players.
“Prohibiting advertising will not eliminate this activity. For over two decades, Canadians have had unrestricted access to unregulated online gaming and disregarding the existence of such activities or purporting that advertising is the cause of problem gambling would be unrealistic — and naïve.”
The CGA also said, “While the discourse surrounding gambling advertising in Canada has often been driven by emotion, the CGA maintains that a comprehensive discussion on gaming advertising is valuable, provided it is grounded in factual information and data.”
The CGA also points out that the amount of sports betting advertising has decreased. A Media Radar/Vivvix study commissioned by the CGA found, in part, that:
Online gambling ad spend continued to decline in 2024, with a 1% drop year-over-year after a 7% decrease in 2023.
In 2024, online gambling made up 5% of Total TV Ad Spend and 2% of TV Ad Occurrences in Canada.
It accounted for 2% of Total Media Ad Spend; automotive, financial and insurance, fast food, and Ppharma categories all spent more.
Only 4% of NHL and 5% of NBA game ads were for online gambling.
Also, the CGA said, “the gaming industry does not control the presentation of sports betting commercials for broadcast, nor the in-game content that appears on screens. Broadcasters and leagues have developed their own policies that set restrictions on how, when, and where advertisements are shown.”
Meanwhile, Senator Marty Deacon is using the publicity from the CMAJ editorial to push for passage of her Senate Bill S-211 aimed at restricting gambling ads.
A CBC article quoted Deacon as saying, “We need a common approach, a national standard similar to alcohol, similar to tobacco ads, that is not patchwork. And that's why the government has to take the lead on this."
Deacon told CBC that the legislation is still awaiting consideration by the committee, following an interruption due to the federal election. She said she is hoping to bring it back to the Senate in early October.
Another heavy FINTRAC fine issued
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) continues to make headlines by issuing hefty fines, which it claims are aimed at combating money laundering.
First, it was a $199,000 fine issued to the CNE Casino. Then, it was more than $1 million in fines to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Now, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), which operates seven casinos in the province, has been hit with a penalty of $1,175,000 for “non-compliance with Part 1 of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and associated Regulations.”
A FINTRAC press release said:
SIGA was found to have committed the following administrative violations:
Failure to submit suspicious transaction reports where there were reasonable grounds to suspect that transactions were related to a money laundering or terrorist activity financing offence.
Failure to report suspicious transactions with the prescribed information.
Failure to develop and apply written compliance policies and procedures that are kept up to date, and, in the case of an entity, are approved by a senior officer.
As we pointed out in our Sept. 10 newsletter, the sudden increase in FINTRAC fines issued to gambling operators raises some eyebrows. Let’s hope this isn’t about optics as part of the federal government’s response to the Donald Trump administration’s claims that Canada has been lax on addressing money laundering said to be funding the drug trade being used south of the border to justify cross-border tariffs.
Absolutebet’s Chen Truman on the latest GNC show
Absolutebet’s co-founder and director Chen Truman is Steve McAllister’s latest guest on the Gaming News Canada Show. Her appearance comes just after Absolutebet announced it has received its iGaming license from the AGCO.
Truman, who spent almost 15 years at Playtech, spoke about the new online casino platform, the lengthy registration process with the AGCO, the motivation to bring its mobile-first product to Ontario, the decision for Absolutebet to focus on iGaming when it launches, and what it believes will differentiate its brand from the competition in perhaps the world’s most robust legal online gambling marketplace.
You can listen to the show here via your favourite podcasting app or watch it here:
People on the Move
Former OLG VP and FOGNC Catherine Meade is off to Australia to become the General Manager/Vice President of CrownPlaySafe & Social Responsibility with Crown Resorts Casino Sydney.
Dylan Slaney leaves Light & Wonder as Chief Executive Officer, iGaming to become the new CEO of Aristocrat’s interactive business. Barry French is appointed Chief of Corporate Affairs and Marketing Officer.
Andrew Vouris has the interim removed from his CEO tag with Entain’s Australia and New Zealand business.
Gilad Ben-Ami is promoted to CEO at Ezugi.
Tsachi Maimon is the new Chief Executive Officer for RubyPlay.
Former IC360 founder/CEO Matthew Holt is the new Chief Executive Officer at Gaming Compliance International.
After an eight-year run, Ben Maggin is leaving Yardbarker as the digital sports media company’s CEO.
Alex Gonzales, Enthusiast Gaming’s former marketing chief, announces the launch of XDOTG and will be joined by ex-Enthusiast folks Rebecca Ulrich, Phil Walden and David Stromath.
Flutter Entertainment appoints Stefan Bombard to the Board of Directors as a non-executive director. Bombard will retire from his CEO role with tobacco business Imperial Brands on October 1.
Former Astralis CEO Jonas Gundersen announces the creation of Fusion Esports Group. Gundersen will assume CEO duties with the Copenhagen startup.
Brandon Cohen, VP Product & Strategy at Better Collective, announces his departure.
Rishi Garg is appointed Chief Financial Officer and Kimberly Pointer Corbett as Chief Marketing Officer at Underdog.
Former Jockey Club partnerships director Carey Weeks joins England Rugby as Commercial Partnership Director.
Antonia Svensson is appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Relax Gaming.
Siddharth Dixit is named Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Evoke.
Gaming industry veteran Iain London is appointed Government and Regulatory Affairs Executive at Gaming Laboratories International.
Former Caesars Sportsbook & Casino senior sales executive Kim Faulds is named Head of Sales and Client Relationships at CDC Gaming.
Kaizen Gaming appoints Vassilis Gavroglou as Chief Human Resources Officer.
Mark Balestra and Daleep Aujlay are promoted to Partners at Segev LLP.
Betsson Group appoints Mattias Wennerkvist as Commercial Director – Nordics.
James Kennedy is named Head of Partnerships at Future Anthem.
Lou Firmstone is promoted to Head of Marketing at Verse Gaming.
Robert Nygren is appointed Head of Sales and Marketing for Svenska Spel’s betting and casino unit.
Paul Glynn joins GBG Plc as Business Development Director with the company’s global gaming team.
Stacy Lin, formerly of Lotto.com, is named Senior Analyst, Enterprise Loyalty Analytics at Fanatics.
After eight years, most recently as Talent Acquisition Manager, Kseniya Tsarouchas is departing Entain.
Riley Yerkovich is named Director, Officiating and Player Safety for the American Hockey League.
Roustan Hockey proprietor Graeme Roustan joins the Board of Directors at Roundtable.
Krish Goswami comes on board the Canadian Elite Basketball League front office as Coordinator, Commercial Strategy.
Claire Millson is appointed Account Manager, Premium Service at MLSE.
Zach Brook leaves Yahoo Sports and joins Betr as a Social/Community Programmer.
Classified (Jobs) Information
On the Home Front
Among the roles available through Betting Jobs is one for a Chief Technology Officer in Canada.
Bet99 is in the market for a Senior Sports Trader and a bilingual Customer Support Associate.
OLG is looking for a Marketing Manager, iCasino Retention.
Absolutebet has need of a System Administrator/IT Manager for its offices in Chandigarh, India.
Electronic Arts has a number of employment opportunities for its EA Sports NHL business. The company is also seeking for its Vancouver offices a Senior Director, Franchise Strategy & Marketing, EA Sports.
Hard Rock Digital is hiring in Toronto a Specialist – Live Ops (Hard Rock Games).
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is searching for a Financial Officer.
Atlantic Lottery is seeking a Training & Content Coordinator.
Everyone’s Toronto Blue Jays is in need of a Senior Manager, Project Management.
Calgary Sports and Entertainment has a five-pack of openings at this juncture.
Canada Soccer is hiring a Videographer/Editor, Digital Content.
There’s an opening at Volleyball Canada for a Fund Development Director.
The Vancouver Whitecaps are in the market for a Data Analyst.
Gymmastics Canada is seeking a Coordinator, Communications & Events.
FloHockey needs a Content Creator with a focus on the Ontario Hockey League.
Golf Ontario is looking for new additions to its Board of Directors.
South of the Border
Genius Sports is seeking a Senior Vice President, Customer Success along with an Account Executive – Advertising Sales.
FanDuel has an opening for a Go-To-Market Vice President.
In New York, FanDuel is hiring a Financial Planning and Analysis Director, and is also seeking a Manager, Partnership Management for its Southport, Conn., offices.
BetMGM is looking for a Senior Manager, Payments, Product and Vendors.
Hard Rock Digital wants to bring aboard an Analyst – Fraud, and is also seeking a Senior Manager – Sports Operations & Content Optimization.
MGM Resorts is looking for a Senior Copywriter to work at its Las Vegas location.
GamesBeat is searching for a Lead News Writer.
Boomer’s Sportsbook is hiring Ticket Writers (not of the speeding variety. . . ).
The LPGA is looking for its next Chief Marketing Officer.
The MLS Seattle Sounders are in the market for a Head of Talent Acquisition.
BSE Groups is on the lookout for a Director, HR Operations.
FanDuel Sports Network has an opening in Atlanta for a Research Producer.
There’s an Associate Marketing Manager, Global Marketing gig up for grabs at NBA 2K’s offices in Novato, Calif.
The NBA has an opportunity in New York for an HR Operations Lead and in Secaucus, NJ for an Editor.
The National Hockey League is looking for an Editor, Vertical Video Platforms and also has a seasonal contract for a Coordinator, Player Safety.
FanGraphs has an opening for a Prospect Writer.
Across the Ponds
PointsBet is hiring a Client Account Manager down under in Sydney, and in Melbourne needs a Technical Lead.
Betsson Group has an opening for a Director of Infrastructure and Cloud and is also seeking a Sportsbook – Frontend Engineering Team Lead in Malta. Oh yes, it’s also advertising a Senior Product Owner – Mobile Apps position.
Bally’s Interactive has need of a Senior Marketing Compliance Manager at its London offices.
Arise is hiring a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist – Product.
Pinnacle is in the market for an Esports Live Trader.
Kaizen Gaming has a Bogota-based gig for a Junior Pre Event Trader (Basketball), and in Greece is seeking to hire a Product Owner, Responsible Gaming.
There’s a bunch of employment opportunities at Beter.
Malta-based Wicked Games wants to bring aboard a Partnership Manager.
Enteractive has several employment opportunities at its Malta headquarters.
The Unit has a whole lotta openings in development and engineering over in Europe.
Valnet is looking for a Social Media Specialist – Sports in the UK.
FYI, The Athletic is holding a talent identification day in London on October 7.
Reading and Reflection
1. Scott Longley of Earnings + More has the latest on the bidding battle for U.S. DFS operator PrizePicks.
2. Jeff Edelstein reported for InGame on a new study on the financial impact of legal sports wagering.
3. Xuan Thai and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN.com first broke the news that FanDuel will pay the Jacksonville Jaguars $5 million over wagering funds that were stolen by a former employee of the NFL club.
4. We raised a Spockian eyebrow more than once reading this Richard Schuetz piece on gambling operators and vulnerable players.
5. Covers’ guy Geoff Zochodne made a trip to the Land of 10,000 Lakes last week to do some reporting on the debate over creating a legal sports betting market.
6. Good reading from ESPN columnist Dan Wetzel on last week’s NCAA announcement that it’s investigating a baker’s dozen of U.S. college athletes for sports betting-related transgressions.
7. Responsible Online Gaming Association executive director Jennifer Shatley did the op-ed thing for Gaming America magazine.
8. Jesse Sale wrote for SBC News on the need for betting brands to buy into the power of social media.
9. The aforementioned Edelstein also reported on a change to the terms and conditions for DraftKings customers that sparked some X outrage.
10. Dr. Katherine Spilde of San Diego State’s Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming did the op-ed thing in GGB News on sports betting by college students in the U.S. of A.
11. Much of what the Republican Party does these days makes not one iota of sense, and that, according to Dustin Gouker, includes its stance on gambling.
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