Like its neighbor’s legislative efforts to give Native American tribes autonomy from U.S. sports betting, gaming bill S-268 aims to provide autonomy to Canada’s tribal nations by authorizing them to independently license, operate, and manage gaming activities within their reserves.
Expanding Rights of First Nations
Sen. Scott Tannas introduced S-268 at the same time a gaming advertising bill, S-269, was sponsored by Sen. Marty Deacon and Sen. Brent Cotter. Senator Tannas’ bill would also allow the tribes to keep the revenue derived from gaming and cede gaming control to them.
“We’re in an era of recognizing the rights of Indigenous governments and the sovereignty they have. It will be a very significant piece of economic reconciliation,” Tannas said. “This bill simply asserts what we all know to be the truth, that indigenous governments have sovereignty on their own lands, and in particular when it comes to business pursuits.”
The current operation of gaming law in Canada has a revenue share between the tribes and the provinces. “This act gives control to First Nations over the conduct and management, which is very important,” Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Board Chairman Reginald Bellerose said during the news conference.
“We believe that First Nations are the best casino operators in the country. The needs are so great. Poverty, addictions, chronic health at the community level. So, our own-source revenue is badly needed.”
Paul Burns, President, and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association commented, “It’s a discussion well worth having,” Burns said. “It’s lingered out there a long time. But now we need to hear from the Federal government, the provincial governments, and other First Nations. “Everyone is trying to get their heads around it, about how to change the way gaming is done.”
Advertising Regulations
With the advent of online sports betting in Ontario and in other Canadian jurisdictions, advertising has become a flashpoint that has yet to be resolved. Legislative efforts are springing up to address the growing concern of an avalanche of sports betting advertisements that could negatively impact those who are underage or vulnerable to sports betting addictions.
Sen. Marty Deacon and Sen. Brent have introduced S-269 which will regulate gambling advertising throughout the nation.
“Billions and billions of dollars were going into very unfortunate places and out of country, and so we were trying to legalize single betting so that Canadians could bet with Canadian companies, follow Canadian laws, and support the work of provinces and territories,” Deacon told the CBC. “Then what happened as a result of that is a really big torrent of advertising and promotions that is coming out in great, great quantities for all ages and on a regular and daily basis.”
The proposed legislation would impose the following rules:
- Limiting or banning celebrities and athletes.
- Limiting the number of ads that can be played or shown in a location.
- Restricting the use of non-broadcast advertising.
- Setting national standards for the prevention and diagnosis of problem gaming and gambling addiction.
Sports betting advertising in Canada has included hockey superstars such as Wayne Gretzky, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid. However, the University of Toronto launched its own campaign, “Ban Ads for Gambling” earlier this year and Toronto Mayor John Sewell has gotten on board with the elimination of gambling advertising.
*Bookmakers Review will continue to monitor this story and update our readers as events unfold.
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