Ban on Paid Online Gambling Ads

Summary#

Bill 107 would ban advertising and promotion for online gambling sites in Ontario. It targets companies that run these sites and anyone paid to promote them. There are limited exceptions for unpaid news, arts, or educational content, and for content coming from outside Ontario. The bill adds fines and tougher penalties for repeat offenders and would take effect as soon as it becomes law.

• Bans all ads and promotions by online gambling operators and anyone acting for them (agencies, influencers, affiliates, sponsors).
• Allows unpaid references to gambling brands in news, commentary, or artistic/educational works.
• Lets Ontario outlets distribute foreign publications or air broadcasts from outside Ontario, even if they include gambling ads, if the purpose is not to promote a site.
• Sets fines up to $100,000 for individuals and up to $1,000,000 for companies.
• On a second conviction, the operator’s registration (their licence to operate or supply gambling services) is revoked.
• Starts on Royal Assent (when the Lieutenant Governor signs it into law).

What it means for you#

• General public

  • You would see far fewer gambling ads in Ontario. This includes TV, billboards, online ads, podcast reads, and influencer posts made for pay.
  • You might still see gambling ads in content that comes from outside Ontario (for example, a U.S. sports broadcast).

• Gamblers and customers

  • Legal sites could still operate, but they could not market sign‑up bonuses, odds boosts, or other offers in Ontario.
  • You would need to find sites on your own, without paid promotions pointing you there.

• Parents and youth

  • Less exposure to gambling ads during sports and online, which supporters say could reduce risks for teens and young adults.

• Sports fans

  • Teams, leagues, and events in Ontario could not display betting logos or accept paid gambling sponsorships.
  • Local broadcasts and in‑arena promotions would remove gambling brand placements. National or foreign feeds may still show them.

• Media, creators, and marketers in Ontario

  • No paid gambling ads or sponsored content from online betting companies. Affiliate links and promo codes would be banned.
  • Unpaid reporting, reviews, or commentary that mention brands would be allowed.

• Online gambling operators and affiliates

  • Must stop all advertising and paid promotion in Ontario. Violations could lead to large fines.
  • A second conviction would trigger automatic loss of registration to operate or supply gambling services in Ontario.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Reduces problem gambling by cutting constant ad exposure, especially for teens and young men.
• Aligns gambling with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, which face strict ad limits to protect public health.
• Helps de‑normalize gambling in sports by removing logos and sponsorships.
• A clear, broad ban is easier to enforce than partial rules with many loopholes.
• Strong penalties, including licence revocation for repeat offences, give the law real teeth.

Opponents' View#

• Too broad: bans all operator ads, which could also limit responsible‑gambling messages and clear information about legal options.
• May push people toward illegal or offshore sites that still advertise online, weakening the regulated market.
• Cuts a major revenue stream for media, sports teams, events, and local creators, with possible job losses.
• Could face free‑expression legal challenges.
• Hard to enforce against online and cross‑border content, creating an uneven field where foreign ads still reach Ontarians.