Ontario Tells Gretzky, McDavid to Take a Hike as Ad Crackdown Takes Shape

Ontario's gaming regulator is proposing an end to famous athletes and other celebrities endorsing online gambling, to make it less appealing to young gamblers, the CBC revealed this weekend.

If adopted, these companies would no longer be permitted to feature sports and other celebrities, current or retired.   Ads running now would have to be pulled including those that feature popular hockey players the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid.  Additionally, cartoon figures and social media influencers would be prohibited in such advertisements.

The commission will be accepting comments from stakeholders until May 8 before making any official changes.  The new rules would likely take effect three months later.

Just this week, clubs in the U.K.'s Premier League agreed to stop advertising gambling companies on their soccer jerseys. 

2023 NHL Playoffs Series Odds Up Now

The NHL Playoffs get underway and BetOnline has released odds for each series, with four of them pretty tight.

Series Odds

 

Los Angeles Kings +200    

Edmonton Oilers -240   

Note: Note: Odds imply a 70.6% probability Oilers will advance

 

Florida Panthers +230            

Boston Bruins -275     

Note: Odds imply a 73.3% probability Bruins will advance

 

New York Islanders +170            

Carolina Hurricanes -195      

Note: Odds imply a 66.1% probability Hurricanes will advance     

 

Tampa Bay Lightning +135            

Toronto Maple Leafs -155        

Note: Odds imply a 60.8% probability Leafs will advance          

 

Winnipeg Jets +130          

Vegas Golden Knights -150    

Note: Odds imply a 60.0% probability Knights will advance     

 

New York Rangers -105

New Jersey Devils -115  

Note: Odds imply a 53.5% probability Devils will advance     

 

Stanley Cup                 

Boston Bruins                           +275

Colorado Avalanche                  +700

Edmonton Oilers                       +750

Toronto Maple Leafs                 +950

Carolina Hurricanes                   +1100

New Jersey Devils                     +1200

New York Rangers                     +1200

Vegas Golden Knights                +1400

Dallas Stars                               +1600

Tampa Bay Lightning                 +2000

Minnesota Wild                        +2200

Florida Panthers                        +2500

Los Angeles Kings                      +2500

Winnipeg Jets                           +3500

New York Islanders                   +4000

Seattle Kraken                          +4500

                       

Eastern Conference                 

Boston Bruins                           +140

Carolina Hurricanes                   +575

Toronto Maple Leafs                 +600

New York Rangers                     +625

New Jersey Devils                     +750

Tampa Bay Lightning                 +1100

Florida Panthers                        +1400

New York Islanders                   +2200

                       

Western Conference                

Colorado Avalanche                  +285

Edmonton Oilers                       +300

Vegas Golden Knights                +500

Dallas Stars                               +600

Minnesota Wild                        +800

Los Angeles Kings                      +900

Winnipeg Jets                           +1400

Seattle Kraken                          +1600

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com