Experts: Canada needs national strategy to monitor online gambling harms: report 

Canada needs a national strategy to monitor gambling-related harms and control the deluge of advertisements that followed Ontario’s legalization of commercial online gambling and sports betting, according to a new report from the group that wrote the country’s alcohol guidelines. (Globe and Mail) 

Here are some experts from McGill University who can comment on this topic:  

Helen Hayes, PhD candidate, Department of Communication Studies and Research Manager, Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy

“While the well-documented consequences of easy access to and increased used of online gambling platforms in Canada crystallizes the need for a national strategy to combat its harms, it also highlights the absolute importance of regulating online platforms writ large, which have an outsized — and increasingly negative — impact on Canadians’ mental wellbeing, safety, and sense of community.”

Helen Hayes is a PhD Candidate at McGill University where she examines the political, environmental, and regulatory implications of Artificial Intelligence and other computational technologies in Canada’s resource economies. Her work at the Centre focuses on platform governance, Canadian technology policy, and climate justice.

helen.hayes [at] mcgill.ca (English)

Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry 

“Problem gambling has become a serious public health issue. With increased availability and accessibility, there is an urgent need for a national strategy to address gambling and online gambling. Greater public awareness and increased funding for prevention and research are critical. A national strategy addressing gambling is needed.” 

Jeffrey L. Derevensky is Professor Emeritus, former James McGill Professor and Director of Clinical Training in School/Applied Child Psychology and Professor, Department of Psychiatry at McGill University. He is the Director of the McGill University Youth Gambling Research and Treatment Clinic and the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. He is considered an international expert in the field of gambling and behavioral addictions. 

jeffrey.derevensky [at] mcgill.ca (English) 

Moshe Lander, Course Lecturer, Department of Economics 

“Any significant change in government policy usually requires a transition period of about five to 10 years to adjust and settle into a “new normal.” Legalizing sports gambling is no different.  During this transition period the government can introduce the minimum amount of safeguards with the aim of protecting the gambler from exerting harm on others, but not themselves. This is the same as safeguards to protect drinking alcohol from harming others (e.g., severe penalties for drinking and driving, but not for drinking excessively in a safe environment).  These safeguards could be to limit the amount one can bet at a given time, or over a given period of time, or limiting gambling to money that is in a designated account that also covers any penalty payments for losing a bet (i.e., the vigorish).” 

Moshe Lander is a course lecturer in the Department of Economics. He is Canada’s preeminent sports economist and teaches the economics of sports, gaming and gambling at multiple Canadian universities. 

moshe.lander [at] mcgill.ca (French, English)