Ever since [Canada’s] federal government officially lifted its ban on single-game sports betting in 2021, enabling provinces to legalize it in their own jurisdictions, watching sports on TV has felt like being in a casino. It’s not just the wall-to-wall ads; it’s also the sense that the entire sports media complex has become an enabler.

Professional leagues, such as the NBA and the NHL, now support betting, even making formal agreements with “official sports betting partners.” Team ownership groups such as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and media outlets such as The Sports Network (TSN) have also partnered with sportsbooks.