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Canadians don’t appear to be very supportive of athletes and famous faces being featured in sports gambling ads.

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According to a new survey by Maru Public Opinion, 68% of respondents say they want current team players and celebrities banned from gambling advertisements, while 66% say sports betting commercials should not be allowed during live games and events.

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The poll, conducted in early February, of 1,534 adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists, also found nearly 60% believe a nationwide ban on sports betting ads needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

The study also revealed three-quarters of respondents feel there is a need to protect youth and children from sports betting marketing, while 72% fear many young adults will go deep into debt betting on games and sporting events.

In addition, more than 60% say the firms behind the sports betting apps are not acting responsibly with their ads and marketing, and just over half believe that sports betting needs more government oversight and regulation than there is now.

Meanwhile, about a quarter of Canadians say being able to make sports wagers encourages them to watch games more often.

And among those polled, only one in six have wagered on an online betting platform for a professional sporting event or game.

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