CGA Report: Misaligned Gambling Ad Regulations May Miss the Mark

New research from the Canadian Gambling Association (CGA) has found that regulation of gambling advertising is moving faster than the relevant scientific evidence. This can lead to adjustments that do not correspond to reality.

The CGA, together with GP Consulting and Eilers & Krejcik, published a study analyzing gambling advertising and regulatory intervention. A 'rapid review' of the scientific literature on the effects of advertising on betting and online gaming was carried out. Such reviews are recognized as an effective tool for policy-making and informing stakeholders.

Overall, the study found that regulatory policy is ahead of scientific evidence, which can lead to regulations that are too strict or not precise enough. The CGA emphasized that policymakers need to be aware of where evidence ends and societal expectations begin.

Key areas for further research include responsible advertising, objective measurement of results, and studying the impact of advertising on consumer behavior.