Canada’s Bill S-211 advanced in committee on November 3, but a proposed ban on in-game sports-betting ads did not make it into the amended bill. The bill is not law and does not change advertising rules for viewers.

Committee progress moves the proposal forward, but it does not create an in-game ad ban.

Two reporting deadlines changed

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage amended the bill’s reporting timeline. InGame reported these changes:

  • The deadline for a report to Parliament increased from one year to two.
  • The public release period after the report is tabled increased from 10 days to 15.

Committee members rejected a proposal to require the national framework to ban advertisements for in-game betting. The bill would establish a framework for sports-betting advertising, but it does not impose that specific prohibition.

What happens next

The decision leaves the proposed framework broad. It does not rule out later measures on in-game promotions, but no such ban is in force under this bill.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission told the committee on November 3 that, if the bill receives royal assent, it would have to assess how effective its regulations and policies are at reducing harm from sports-betting advertising. It would then report within 12 months of royal assent.

InGame reported that the committee advanced the bill “on division,” meaning it proceeded without a formal recorded vote. Further House of Commons consideration is still required. Until Parliament completes that process, S-211 remains a proposal, not a new national advertising rule.