The UK is “lagging behind” Europe in measures to restrict gambling advertising, according to a report published just days after official data showed a sharp rise in the number of children with problem gambling.
Restrictions on advertising by bookmakers and casinos are increasingly becoming the “norm” across Europe in response to public health concerns, according to a report commissioned by GambleAware, the UK's leading gambling charity.
But the White Paper on gambling regulation published by the previous government in 2023 is not advertised, and despite public support for tougher measures, Labor has so far been unsure whether it intends to tackle the issue. I'm keeping my mouth shut about it.
GamblingAware said the UK has the “least” regulations on gambling advertising among its European peers, citing Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The permissive regime introduced by Tony Blair's Labor government in 2007 persists despite survey data showing that two-thirds of the public think there are too many gambling ads, and social media (74% ) and television (72%). %).
GambleAware is calling for policy changes to address public health concerns about the impact of gambling marketing, including advance bans on broadcast advertising, restrictions on gambling content and online marketing, and outright bans on sports as a whole.
In the absence of such measures, charities are calling on governments to require mandatory smoking health warnings in marketing. The previous government said it could not impose new restrictions on advertising because there was a lack of evidence that promoting gambling caused harm.
However, GambleAware rejected the conclusion. “There is strong evidence that gambling advertising increases participation and therefore increases risk. It exacerbates the harm. It normalizes gambling as a bit of 'harmless fun,' especially among children.” “
Estimates in 2017 suggest that gambling operators spend around £1.5 billion a year on advertising and marketing. A separate study by the University of Bristol, which also produced the GambleAware report, found that Premier League fans were exposed to nearly 30,000 gambling messages over the opening weekend of this season, a 165% increase on the previous year.
Dr Raffaello Rossi, author of both reports and marketing researcher at the University of Bristol, said: “Our research shows that although the UK has the strongest evidence of the harms of gambling marketing, it is some of the least regulated countries in Europe. This suggests that the lack of stricter restrictions is not due to a lack of evidence, but rather a lack of political will. ”
A spokesperson for industry lobbying group Gambling and Gambling Council said: “This report is not an academic body but an advocacy based on misused statistics and we do not endorse its findings or conclusions.” said.
GambleAware's report reveals that, based on rigorous diagnostic criteria, official data shows that 85,000 children between the ages of 11 and 17 have a gambling problem, with the rate doubling in one year. It was announced a few days later.
The Guardian, which stopped running gambling ads in summer 2023, has contacted the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for comment. A spokesperson said: “We recognize the impact that harmful gambling has on individuals and their families and are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk.”
They added: “Ministers are currently considering the full range of gambling policy and will update it in due course.”
