Sports betting ads prompt concerns from parents, addicts

Liz Ritchie hangs an ornament on her family's Christmas tree for each of her children. She reminds herself that her son Jack won't be home for the holidays. Jack died by suicide at 24 after a gambling addiction stole his sense of purpose and his life.

Liz Ritchie's son Jack died by suicide at 24 after a gambling addiction. Liz wants to warn Canadians about addiction and suicide. She wants her message to be heard from across the pond.

There are more and more gambling ads being broadcast during live sports in Canada. Sports broadcaster TSN is producing and airing its own gambling segments on TV, radio and online. Rogers' Sportsnet is also churning out its sports betting content. Ritchie witnessed a similar rise of sports gambling advertisements in the U.K. years ago.

Ontario is the first Canadian province to regulate online gambling. There are 68 online casinos regulated by the province. Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has also had discussions with Canadian advertising industry leaders to discuss the role they can play in managing the advertising placed by regulated and unregulated internet gaming sites. The AGCO states that marketing and advertising standards are in place to help protect vulnerable and high-risk players from wagering inducements.

Sports betting is a public health hazard waiting to happen, according to Jack Ritchie. There are more than 400 suicides associated with gambling each year in the UK. In 2019, England’s National Health Service opened its first of 16 planned child gambling addiction clinics. Matt Zarb-Cousin runs a U.K. non-profit called Clean Up Gambling.

Sports betting ads prompt concerns from parents and addicts. CTV National News sat down with a recovering gambling addict who asked that we not share his name or identity. Al volunteers his time with Gamblers Anonymous Ontario. He is worried about the influence that sports betting commercials could wield. Sportsnet told CCTV News that it is being thoughtful about its content and adverts.

Sports betting ads prompt concerns from parents, addicts. Some fans are speaking out against their favourite stars who are now featured in some of the advertisements. The NHL’s Washington Capitals landed a deal to feature “Caesars Sportsbook” on their jerseys. Sports broadcaster TSN joined forces with FanDuel as its official sportsbook partner.

Richie's son, Jack, is addicted to gambling. She's co-founded the organization Gambling with Lives. She likens the wave of TV content on TV to spoon-feeding children the addiction. Her son lost some money and she banned him from the bookies, but he found a way to make a bet.

Jack committed suicide because he was addicted to gambling. He lost a lot of money. He felt society let him down. There are resources available through Gamblers Anonymous and ConnexOntario. If you or someone you know is suffering from a gambling addiction, there are resourcces available.