Athletes aren't supposed to appear in gambling-related advertising in Ontario anymore, though sports fans may have noticed hockey star Connor McDavid in a new spot for BetMGM. That's because he's shown advocating for responsible gambling, which is allowed under the new rules.Hockey star Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is shown at the NHL Awards in Nashville in June 2023.
Judd Moldaver, the agent representing McDavid, said the hockey star's relationship with BetMGM remains the same, despite the change in advertisements. Andrew Kim, an assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Calgary, said he believes it essentially adds up to bolstering brand awareness.
But he pointed out that some very well-known athletes in the United States have been involved in promoting both gambling and responsible gaming.