Ontario lawmakers are set to review legislation that would ban advertising for online gambling platforms, as concerns grow over addiction and financial harm. The proposal follows data showing a sharp rise in people seeking help since the province introduced its regulated online gaming market.
Liberal MPP Lee Fairclough introduced Bill 107, the Stop Harmful Gambling Advertising Act 2026, earlier this week. The bill would prohibit operators from promoting gambling services and impose penalties, including fines of up to $1 million and possible licence revocation.
Fairclough said companies should not be left to regulate their own marketing practices. She compared the issue to restrictions on other addictive products, stating, “We couldn’t trust companies to police themselves around cigarettes or around cannabis. So, we have laws in place that banned advertising on those things, those highly addictive things. And this online gambling is moving in the exact same direction as those other important public health issues.”
Surge In Calls Linked To Online Gambling
Ontario launched its regulated iGaming market in 2022, allowing private operators to offer services across the province. Since then, support services have recorded a sharp increase in demand.
ConnexOntario, which provides assistance for mental health, substance use, and gambling issues, has reported a significant rise in gambling-related calls. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal last month found calls increased by 144% among teenage boys and 337.8% among men aged 15 to 24 following the market’s launch.
A separate study from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction last November found that 23.5% of people aged 18 to 29 who gambled online in 2024 experienced harm, including financial and psychological impacts.
Fairclough said such findings highlight a growing issue, adding that advertising may be “supercharging” addiction.
Youth Impact And Next Steps
The MPP said young men appear especially affected, based on both research and feedback from constituents.
“It’s creating this public health crisis in front of us. I’m the mom of teenage boys, I see this in their environment, and so many people talk to me about it. There just seems to be this targeting, especially of young people and young men. So, eliminating advertising for gambling is really the first step in that,” she explained.
The bill had its first reading on Monday and is expected to be debated and voted on in mid-May. Fairclough plans to gather public support through outreach and a petition, which she intends to present in the legislature.
“I will be tabling that in the legislature as well, and I think it’s just a really important time to make sure that the public knows we care about this issue. They want to see this law passed to make sure that they’re adding their voice to the conversation.”
She is also calling on lawmakers from all parties to support the proposal as discussions continue over how to address the impact of online gambling.
Source:
“‘It’s a public health crisis,’ MPP calls on Ford’s government to ban gambling ads in Ontario”, nowtoronto.com, April 21, 2026
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