Canadians are being assaulted by sports gambling ads every time they watch a sports game. The problem is particularly bad in Ontario, where the provincial government has licensed over two dozen private online casinos to operate single-game sports betting apps. This has completely ruined the experience for fans who just want to watch a hockey game or a baseball game.
The proliferation of online sports gambling has real world consequences. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, over 30% of high school students in Ontario are reporting that they have engaged in online gambling and calls to problem gambling hot lines have increased. In the United States, where the gambling legislation is nearly identical to Ontario, the situation is the same. So why is the government allowing this to happen? Why is the promotion of a self-destructive vice like gambling becoming normalized and seen by minors?
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