TLDR
- Canada’s Bill S-211, which would limit gambling ads during sports broadcasts, is set for its third and final reading this month.
- A review of the 2026 NHL playoffs found Canadian viewers saw about 3,000 gambling ads.
- A 2024 study found two to three gambling ads per minute during NHL games.
- Health groups support the bill, while leaders in Ontario and Alberta oppose it.
- The PWHL has betting ties through a FanDuel partnership and an Ottawa Charge casino deal.
Canadian lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that would limit gambling ads during sports broadcasts. Bill S-211 is set for its third and final reading this month.
The bill comes as research shows hockey fans in Canada see a large number of betting promotions. Most of the studies focus on the NHL, but the rules could also affect women’s hockey.
How Many Ads Hockey Fans See
A review of NHL playoff broadcasts in 2026 found that Canadian viewers saw about 3,000 gambling ads. That count included regular commercials, ads built into the broadcast, and branding on boards and equipment.
A separate study of NHL games in 2024 found two to three gambling ads per minute. Together, the findings show that betting promotions run through the whole game, not just during breaks.
The proposed limits could cut that exposure by a large amount. However, the bill is still under review.
Leaders in Ontario and Alberta have spoken out against the legislation. Their opposition shows there is no political agreement on the issue.
The Canadian Mental Health Association and Public Health Physicians of Canada support the bill. Both groups have raised concerns about how gambling affects mental health and personal finances.
The report also points to a worsening link between gambling addiction and suicide in Canada in recent years. Health groups say limiting ads during hockey games could help address the problem.
Betting Ties in Women’s Hockey
The PWHL has not reached the NHL’s level of betting activity or gambling advertising. Still, its TV coverage on CBC, TSN, Sportsnet, and Prime places the league in the debate.
FanDuel became an official PWHL partner in 2024. The deal included livestreams of games through the FanDuel app, linking the league’s coverage to the sportsbook.
At the time, FanDuel Canada general manager Dale Hooper said the deal would support the league’s players. He also said it would build fan engagement and raise the profile of women’s pro sports.
FanDuel currently lists the Minnesota Frost as favorites to win the 2026-27 Walter Cup. Boston, Montreal, and Detroit follow with equal odds.
The Toronto Sceptres are listed as the longest shot to win the title. These betting markets are part of the PWHL’s current ties to sports betting.
The Ottawa Charge added another gambling partner in 2025. The team named Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as its exclusive physical casino partner.
That deal included promotions inside the arena. It gave gambling companies another way to reach fans of women’s hockey beyond apps and broadcasts.
Bill S-211 is scheduled for its third and final reading later this month. If passed, it would set new limits on gambling ads seen by hockey viewers across Canada.
