GME3: Betting Bill 2: Ad Harder, Scroll and Consequences & Eight Mile, One Lawsuit

In this week’s edition of the GME3, we’re taking a look at a revived federal bill which could reshape how sports betting ads appear across the country. Meanwhile, Ontario lawmakers and school boards are ramping up scrutiny of social media’s effects on youth, both in policy and the courts. And in Michigan, Eminem’s publishers are taking Meta to task over alleged copyright violations, in a case that could redraw the boundaries of music use on social platforms. Read the full stories below!

Gambling

Betting Bill 2: Ad Harder

Senator Marty Deacon has reintroduced Bill S-211, aiming to establish a national framework for sports betting advertising in Canada. The bill, formally titled An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising, is a renewed effort following the previous Bill S-269, which passed the Senate in 2023 but stalled in the House of Commons after Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation ended the legislative session earlier this year.

Deacon emphasized that the proposed legislation would not ban gambling advertisements outright. Instead, it would direct the Minister of Canadian Heritage to develop a standardized national approach. This framework could introduce restrictions on the volume, placement, and content of sports betting ads, including potential limits on the use of celebrities and athletes in promotions.

During earlier hearings, stakeholders noted a decline in gambling ads. ThinkTV reported that out of 28,000 ads reviewed in 2024, only 189 were gambling-related, down from 442 in 2022. Industry groups like the Canadian Gaming Association and Ad Standards are also working on self-regulatory codes for advertising practices.

The proposed legislation has faced pushback, including opposition from major sports leagues like the NFL and NHL. However, Ontario’s existing regulatory model provides a precedent. The province has already implemented strict ad rules, banning celebrity endorsements and penalizing non-compliant operators, and Alberta appears poised to adopt a similar approach as it prepares to open its own regulated market.

Media

Scroll and Consequences

Ontario NDP MPP Catherine Fife has introduced a motion urging public health units to issue warnings about the potential mental health harms of social media use among youth. The motion calls for a broader scrutiny of platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta (Facebook and Instagram), particularly their design features, such as curated algorithms, infinite scroll, and frequent notifications, which contribute to addictive use among those under 18.

Fife is also petitioning the Standing Committee on Social Policy to examine the impact of social media on children and clarify the responsibilities of platforms, particularly regarding users under 13. She cited international action, including Australia’s move to restrict social media for those under 16, as a model. The goal, she emphasized, is not to reject technology but to protect youth mental health and foster healthier digital habits.

Her proposal comes as a growing number of Ontario school boards – now 25 in total – have filed lawsuits against major social media companies. These suits, which followed a green light from Ontario’s Superior Court in March, allege that the platforms are addictive and have harmed students’ academic performance and well-being. The boards, including the Toronto public and Catholic systems, are seeking $8 billion in damages and are represented by Neinstein LLP, working on a contingency basis.

Despite the lawsuits, the Ford government has opted not to participate, choosing instead to work with the companies. Meta and Snapchat have publicly defended their platforms, highlighting tools designed to support youth and parental oversight, though both face ongoing scrutiny.

Entertainment

Eight Mile, One Lawsuit

Eminem’s music publishing company, Eight Mile Style, has filed a major copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta Platforms, accusing the tech giant of unlawfully using the rapper’s music across its Reels Remix and Original Audio features on Facebook and Instagram.

The lawsuit, filed on May 30 in Michigan, claims that Meta streamed and made available 243 of Eminem’s songs – without permission – after negotiations to license the music through digital royalty platform Audiam fell through. Eight Mile Style alleges that Meta continued to use the music despite being denied a license, calling the infringement “rampant” and “knowing.”

The suit is seeking up to $109 million in damages, citing billions of unauthorized streams and samples of Eminem’s work. The filing also argues that Meta is not entitled to protections under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which typically shields platforms from liability if they promptly remove infringing content when notified. According to Eight Mile Style, Meta knowingly bypassed the legal licensing process and does not qualify for those protections.

This legal action adds to growing scrutiny of how social media platforms handle copyrighted content, especially in cases where user-generated tools remix or repurpose music without formal approval.