“Right now, with so many young people playing [gambling] online, I just don’t like the direction we’re going as a society. »
Karl Subban, father of P.K., Malcolm and Jordan, was at the Montreal Book Fair this weekend. He met La Presse on Friday. On the menu for this pleasant discussion in the lobby of his hotel: his new children’s book, his son’s retirement and… online games.
This is because Mr. Subban is a new member of the committee of the Campaign to Ban Online Sports Betting and Casino Ads (BanAdsForGambling.ca), which seeks to “influence all [orders] of government to bring about changes in Canada”.
Mr. Subban was quick to accept the invitation to join the committee. As a former school principal and father of five, he has “spent [his] whole life working with children to help them reach their full potential,” he tells us.
“Before I was even asked, I knew that more and more young people were engaging in [online] gaming, and that this can be an obstacle to reaching their full potential in addition to causing serious damage. It’s addictive. »
It’s no secret that online sports betting and casino advertisements have multiplied in recent years. Especially since, nowadays, access to platforms could not be easier for anyone with a cell phone.
Mr. Subban’s committee also takes a stand against gamers, athletes or star actors promoting online gaming. Wayne Gretzky, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, among others, are among those who have previously appeared in sports betting commercials.
“If you look at kids who look up to superstars, they think, ‘If he can do it, then I can, and if it’s good for him, then it must be good for me.’ [These stars] have great power; their influence has great power. We need to make changes before it gets out of control. »
Of course, it won’t happen “overnight,” but Mr. Subban is hopeful that changes will occur over time. “I know it’s a business and businesses operate to make money. But sometimes it’s not about business. It’s about people. Young people. »
Mr. Subban does not know whether P.K. has ever been approached to take part in this type of advertising. “I love him,” he said, “and if he did, I wouldn’t like the idea of him doing that. We can love our children, but we don’t have to love everything they say or do. »
Speaking of P.K., the former Canadian defender has been retired for a year. He now works as a full-time hockey analyst at ESPN.
“Am I seeing him more than before? No, say Karl Subban. I used to see him on TV a lot, but now he’s in a different role. […] He is so busy. »
“He gave me so much to be proud of,” he says.
“Do you know what I’m most proud of? […] People think of P.K. who reached the NHL. Yes, I’m proud of it, but I’m more proud of the fact that he wanted to work for it. Many young people want to achieve a dream, but do not want to pay the price to get there. He paid the price and that makes me very happy. »
Mr. Subban is also proud of his son’s work in the community and the impact he has had. He also highlights his successful move from the ice rink to television. “It makes it look so easy,” he says.
Karl Subban published his first children’s book in September, entitled Hockey Skates. The Ontarian tells the story of a young P.K. who, as winter approaches, still does not have skates to put on his feet and who impatiently waits for the postman to arrive with the long-awaited box. .
“People ask me if it’s a true story. There are so many things about this book that are true. »
Hockey Skates was born from two sources of inspiration: one after Mr. Subban read the same book to his granddaughter dozens of times, the other from the experience he had with his children.
“My guys played hockey for many years without using new equipment. It was all used equipment. Most children start the sport with brand new skates. Everything is new. [My children] had to wait. There is something important about waiting, about delaying gratification.
“When you look at P.K’s story… He went through so many moments of disappointment and he still succeeded. You shouldn’t see disappointments as something bad for you. You have to look at them as something that is good for you. »
