The government faces a significant decision regarding a proposal to generate additional revenue for sports organizations through taxes on sports betting, according to former track and field Olympian Bruce Kidd. A commission recently recommended that the federal government explore new revenue sources, including sports betting, to address financial challenges impacting national sport organizations.
Kidd expressed concerns about the potential normalization and legitimization of sports betting, which he believes can lead to addiction. As a retired professor of sports policy at the University of Toronto, Kidd emphasized the importance of not promoting harmful practices within the sports industry.
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission highlighted systemic issues within Canada’s sport system, citing widespread abuse and inadequate federal funding. The commission called for comprehensive reforms, including increased core funding for national sport organizations to keep pace with inflation over the past two decades.
In response to the recommendation to consider sports betting as a revenue source, Kidd and his advocacy group sent a letter to the secretary of state for sport, Adam van Koeverden, urging him to reject the proposal. Kidd cautioned against the potential consequences of sports bodies advocating for sports betting due to indirect financial benefits.
When asked for his opinion on utilizing taxes from sports betting and professional sports to boost funding, van Koeverden described it as an intriguing concept. However, Kidd likened the idea to the tobacco industry’s past strategy of sponsoring sports events to normalize smoking’s harmful effects.
The commission’s report also highlighted the negative impact of gambling on sports integrity, noting the rise of competition manipulation and match-fixing linked to organized crime. The report emphasized the need for increased funding in the Canadian sport system, drawing attention to successful models in other countries like Norway and Japan.
Kidd stressed the importance of allocating sports betting revenues towards addiction treatment and educational programs to mitigate harm. He referenced a study showing a significant increase in young men seeking help for gambling-related issues following the legalization of online gambling and single-event sports betting in Ontario.
The government is currently evaluating the commission’s recommendations to enhance the Canadian sport system and address funding gaps. Van Koeverden acknowledged the funding challenges faced by national sport organizations and mentioned the government’s efforts to increase annual sport funding over the years.
