One question on the igaming front stands out with today’s news that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down: How does all this impact the national sports betting bill?
As a quick backgrounder, before Christmas, the news was that the proposed new national advertising legislation (Bill S-269) was gummed up in the House of Commons, as the Conservatives and minority Liberal government were embroiled over a privilege debate involving access to unredacted documents, both doling out blame for the other side, taking precedence over all other House business.
The House of Commons checked out for the Christmas break Dec. 17 and was scheduled to reconvene Jan. 27.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Marty Deacon, calls for the Canadian Heritage Minister (presently Pascale St-Onge) to develop new national standards on around what goes into gaming advertising, when they run, and the volume of advertising. The Minister would begin a dialogue with provincial lawmakers, First Nations, and gaming regulators to set those advertising standards.
Bill S-269 cleared the Senate in November and was awaiting First Reading in the House of Commons, the first step in a last chapter toward getting Royal Assent for the bill, when it then becomes law.
Now comes this morning’s news. Trudeau resigned and said he advised the governor general to prorogue Parliament until March 24, allowing for a Liberal leadership campaign to find a replacement for him. The governor general agreed to that.
Where that leaves the country is anyone’s guess.
The minority Liberal government is hanging by a thread, with the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre far ahead in the polls at 44.2% according to Monday morning CBC polling. That lead means Conservatives are projected to win 227 seats and form a majority government.
The Liberals have been propped up legislatively in a deal they made with the New Democratic Party. Now the speculation is if or when the NDP joins the Conservative Party to bring down the Liberal government.
Does that happen as soon as the new Liberal leader is sworn in and they table a new legislative agenda, presumably in late March, triggering an election for the summer? The next scheduled Canadian national election is scheduled for Oct. 20.
With Parliament now prorogued, the Deacon bill may never see the light of day.
“I don’t think this changes the pathway for the igaming-advertising bill, just delays it, obviously,” said Mark Harper, head of emerging markets at BVGroup, focusing on the online casino scene. “Certainly doesn’t change any of the strategies that BVG had planned.”
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