UK ministers face increased pressure to restrict gambling ads

"Ministers will come under mounting pressure to introduce curbs on gambling advertising this year, as MPs and campaigners latch on to polling that indicates widespread public support for tougher restrictions. Policies affecting gambling have been the subject of fierce debate over recent years, leading to stricter regulation of the 12.5bn-a-year sector and higher taxes announced in November's budget, despite intensive lobbying by the industry."

"New polling, shared with the Guardian, indicates strong public backing for a much less permissive approach to gambling ads, which have exploded in volume since deregulation by Tony Blair's Labour government in 2005. Surveys were conducted by More in Common and commissioned by the Campaign to End Gambling Advertising as part of a report titled Ending A Losing Streak. They found that 70% of people support tougher curbs on advertising and sponsorship, with 27% saying that gambling companies should not be allowed to promote themselves at all."

"In 2019, gambling companies agreed a voluntary whistle-to-whistle code under which they do not advertise during sports fixtures shown before 9pm. They have also agreed to make 20% of their adverts dedicated to responsible gambling. According to some estimates, the industry still spends about 2bn a year on advertising and marketing, although the sector's lobby group the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) claims the figure is much lower, at 1.15bn."

Ministers are likely to face increased pressure to impose curbs on gambling advertising because public polling shows strong support for tougher restrictions. The 12.5bn-a-year gambling sector has seen stricter regulation and higher taxes amid intense industry lobbying. Gambling advertising volume has surged since 2005 deregulation, prompting calls for limits and sponsorship controls. Polls by More in Common, commissioned by the Campaign to End Gambling Advertising, reported 70% backing for tougher curbs and 27% supporting a ban on promotion. Industry measures include a voluntary whistle-to-whistle code and a pledge that 20% of adverts promote responsible gambling, while ad spend estimates vary between 1.15bn and 2bn a year.

Read at www.theguardian.com