Senators, panel take aim at sports betting ads on webcast
Marty Deacon and others said Wednesday there is momentum on Parliament Hill to pass a bill that would create a national framework for advertising by sportsbook operators in Canada.
In this issue:
Sen. Deacon, panel push back against sportsbook advertising
Three leagues and an RG campaign
Better Collective Q and A on acquiring Playmaker Capital
Gaming News Canada Show, U.S. Thanksgiving edition
A Spockian eyebrow was raised mid-afternoon yesterday when we noticed on the platform formerly known as Twitter that No. 99 was on the list of trenders:
The Great One in trending mode popped up after we listened to a webcast recorded in the morning and hosted by Senator Marty Deacon, who back in June proposed Bill S-269 to create a national framework on sports betting advertising. Martin Sampson, the CEO of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, and one of Deacon’s guests along with Senator Brent Cotter, Dr. Bruce Kidd from the University of Toronto, and Jeremy Luke - the CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, was expressing his concern with the effect gambling advertising is having on youth.
“I’m extremely troubled that people like Wayne Gretzky would lend their name to this,” said Sampson, referring to Gretzky’s relationship with BetMGM. “I don’t understand it.”
The webcast (you can watch the almost-hour long conversation here) was a virtual show of support for Deacon’s bill, which is in second reading in the Senate. Deacon, who along with Cotter and Luke, supported the passing of Bill C-218 (the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act) in the summer of 2021, said there was a lack of understanding about the volume of advertising that would coincide with opening the door for single-event sports betting and the decision by the Ontario government to open a regulated online sports betting and gaming market.
“Canadians across the country . . . were bombarded with ads to place bets with any number of companies,” Deacon said yesterday. “I felt over time that we did not get Bill C-218 right and we could do better.”
Said Cotter: “It became clear we needed to establish a regulatory framework that reined in that type of advertising and protected young people. That requires the engagement of the provinces which have significant regulatory authority over gaming.”
The senator later added, referring to the mix of advertising and betting conversation by broadcasters during games: “We need to look at the best strategies to create a clean terrain for sports.”
While both Deacon and Cotter referenced placing certain restrictions on gambling advertising around sporting events (as has been the case in some European countries and in Australia), Kidd and the Ban Ads for Gambling advocacy group of which he is a member, have called for a total ban.
“I’m grossed out by the tsunami of ads,” said Kidd (who, curiously, hasn’t been nearly as supportive when it comes to the calls from athletes, politicians and other sports officials for a federal inquiry into Canada’s broken national sport system). ”I’m concerned about how gambling ads poison the culture of sport and how the image of sport is presented.”
Last spring, after watching Stanley Cup playoff games with his two teenage sons, Sampson posted a letter on LinkedIn Audio that was also sent to the NHL, NHLPA, broadcasters and the Canadian Radio-Television and Communications Commission to express his concerns about the high volume of betting references.
“These things are so obviously targeted at young minds to get people betting on sports,” Sampson said. “The presentation is so polished, and it undermines parental guidance on this.
“What (the senators) are doing is a really important step and getting us a set of guidelines that protects our kids from this toxic advertising.”
The CCES’s Luke, responding to a question from Deacon, said there’s a safe sport component to sports betting.
“I attended the first Heritage Committee parliamentary hearings on safe sport, and the first question was around gambling. If we aren’t able to rein in the issues we’re seeing around advertising and promotion of that advertising, and match manipulation, we’ll be seeing another hearing.”
Deacon said she’s seen “general support” from the Senate for her bill, and senators have also met with federal politicians.
“We’re hoping it gets to committee soon for vigorous debate,” she added.
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Three leagues and a responsible gambling campaign
It’s been a week (or at least 3/7 of a week) when it comes to sports bodies and sports betting.
As shared in Tuesday’s newsletter, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and the Canadian Olympic Committee announced an extension to their partnership for educating athletes and support staff around wagering and competition manipulation.
Later Tuesday, the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball released its “Never Know What’s Next” commercial to promote betting responsibly.
The commercial is a result of a collaboration between the three leagues, FanDuel, Fanatics, DraftKings, Penn Entertainment, and the U.S. National Council on Problem Gambling.
“With more fans than ever having the opportunity to legally bet in their home states, it is imperative that we work with our media and sportsbook partners, as well as with our friends at the NBA and MLB, to inform and emphasize the risks and encourage the importance of setting limits and betting responsibly, especially among our growing fanbase in the younger demographic,” NHL chief business officer Keith Wachtel said in a news release.
Q and A with Better Collective’s Brandon Boone on Playmaker Capital acquisition
It’s been awhile but your friendly chronicler recently did the Q and A thing, with the cooperation of Brandon Boone, who joined Better Collective back in August as the vice president of communications following executive positions with YouTube and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Boone and yours truly exchanged emails with regards to Better Collective’s recent acquisition of Canadian company Playmaker Capital:
Q: How did this deal come about? (Did it start with a conversation between Jordan Gnat and a BC executive at a conference, reception, etc.????)
A: We are always looking for opportunities to improve and expand the Better Collective offering and expertise in other places. We're also keen to seek out like-minded companies and individuals who share our values, so we've had ongoing constructive conversations with the Playmaker Capital team for a very long period and have been monitoring and conversing as they have continued to build their brand.
Q: How does the acquisition of BC impact its businesses in Latam, the U.S., and Canada (Ontario and beyond as other provinces open regulated marketplaces?
A: This acquisition impacts our business in several ways, including adding some really smart people who are experts at building and engaging sports audiences in the Americas at large scale. From a size perspective, the most significant impact will be in South America, where we expect to consolidate our market-leading position. That said, the impact on North America (US and Canada) cannot be understated, as we expect the acquisition to significantly strengthen our position as a challenger to other leading sports media brands, like ESPN, and enhance our offering to our existing partners through even more comprehensive access to sports audiences.
Q: What gets BC excited about the Canadian opportunity?
A: As I mentioned, the Playmaker Capital team is adept at building and engaging sports audiences, and their strong presence in Canada represents their talents. Specifically, their ability to develop and expand their hockey audience is really compelling. We are looking forward to having a stronger presence within the hockey community and an overall much larger footprint in Canada.
Join us on the Gaming News Canada Show this afternoon
While our American friends sit down to turkey, ham, mac and cheese, pumpkin pie, etc., etc., etc., and watch some football this afternoon, we’ll be gathering around ye olde LinkedIn Audio for the latest Gaming News Canada Show presented by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (1 p.m. ET mic drop).
We will speak with GeoComply Senior VP of Compliance Lindsay Slader about the official opening of the company’s new Toronto offices and its latest Ontario overview. Senator Deacon’s webcast yesterday will most also be high on the list of topics to be discussed by regular guests Amanda Brewer, Kris Abbott, and Phill Gray. Classified (Jobs) Information
PointsBet Canada is on a seek-and-employ mission for an AML Analyst.
FanDuel has an employment opportunity in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area for a Construction and Design Manager.
Rush Street Interactive’s Toronto operations is looking for a Responsible Gaming Program Manager.
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority has an opening for a Senior Accounting Officer, and a Central Marketing Coordinator.
Penn Entertainment/theScore/ESPN Bet is in hiring mode for a Sports Trader - Fan Engagement in Gibraltar.
Paidia Gaming in Vancouver has an opening for a Full Stack Developer.
Paramount Commerce is hiring a Senior Integrations Specialist in Toronto.
Atlantic Lottery is in the market for a Manager, Business Process Management in several locations across the Maritimes.
DraftKings still has a posting for a Vice President, Customer Rewards & Ecommerce. The company is also seeking for its Boston location a Manager, Sportsbook Analytics, and has an opening in Chicago for a VIP New Business Associate.
OLG has an open position for a Senior Financial Analyst in Toronto.
Hard Rock Digital’s UK business is seeking a Sportsbook Operations Associate. In Toronto, the company is hiring a Unity Developer.
Bally’s Interactive is searching for a Marketing Platforms Operations Executive in London, and also has a job posting in Chicago for a Software Engineer - Digital Broadcast.
Caesars wants to hire a Social Media Specialist - Marketing in Maricopa, Ariz.
SBC has an opening in the UK/Europe for an Affiliate Relationship Manager.
Covers is on the lookout for a Casino Content Editor, and also has an opportunity in Toronto for a Content Editor.
Annexio Limited in England is seeking a Head of Casino.
White Hat Gaming is in search mode for an Account Manager.
Electronic Arts is searching for an Assistant Producer - skate.
Hockey Canada has openings for a Chief Financial Officer, and a Senior VP of Finance.
The Toronto Blue Jays are in the market for a Manager, Business Communications.
The National Hockey League’s New York office has a desk waiting for a Director, Innovation & Business Development.
The Calgary Stampede is hiring a Sponsor Account Manager.
The Cleveland Browns are searching for a Manager, Partnership Activation.
Wanted at Sportsnet: a Marketing Coordinator.
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