Bill 48 and mental health: U of A students raise concerns

A University of Alberta student group asked the province to limit online gambling advertising and lower betting limits as Bill 48 moves forward, and Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said the bill includes funding for responsible-gambling programs and a system-wide self-exclusion tool.

Students at the University of Alberta are urging the provincial government to limit online gambling advertising and reduce betting caps as Bill 48 moves through the legislature. The Student Advocates for Public Health convened a panel and sent an open letter saying celebrity-linked ads and gambling-adjacent activities can normalize betting for young people. They cited research linking online gambling to higher rates of gambling-related harm among young adults and compared gambling advertising effects to past tobacco promotion. Key points: - The student group called for a ban on online gambling advertising, lower per-event betting caps, and additional safeguards, and sent an open letter to athletes and teams about the issue. - Bill 48 was introduced in the Alberta Legislature on May 7, 2025; Minister Dale Nally said the bill would allocate 1 percent of gross gaming revenue to responsible-gambling programs and implement a system-wide self-exclusion tool. - The students cited research reported by public-health organizations showing higher proportions of gambling-related harm among young adults who gamble online compared with lottery-only gamblers. Summary: Students and researchers describe potential increases in gambling-related harm among young people tied to expanded online betting and promotional practices. Undetermined at this time.