The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has escalated its campaign to impose stricter regulations on gambling advertising in football, emphasizing the need to protect children from betting promotions.
On Wednesday, the APPG gathered MPs, peers, researchers, and activists to examine new evidence and propose policy changes. Representatives from the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) and Clean Up Gambling took part, alongside former football players and advocates who have long supported tighter advertising regulations.
Post-meeting, the APPG endorsed CEGA's petition directed to 10 Downing Street, which calls for a complete ban on gambling ads in football. This petition spotlights the necessity of shielding young fans from gambling imagery and sponsorships during matches—a concern frequently raised by both campaigners and public health officials.
The push for tighter control coincides with growing criticism of gambling ads, highlighted by a recent report from the House of Lords Liaison Committee. They proposed a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising, linking such promotions to increased gambling activities and the corresponding risks involved. The report underscored the failure of voluntary measures to significantly curtail the industry's visibility in sports.
Dr. Matt Gaskell MBE noted in the report that, "overall exposure (including shirts, hoardings, logos, sponsorship and related marketing) during live sports programmes does not show that self-regulation has reduced exposure meaningfully."
In addition, earlier this year, the APPG released a report in collaboration with Peers for Gambling Reform, advocating for a pre-9pm watershed ban on gambling ads and a prohibition on sports sponsorships. Responses from MPs during a parliamentary debate highlighted gambling advertisements as a pressing public health concern, particularly regarding their saturation in sports environments.
Labour MP Alex Ballinger pointed out research documenting thousands of gambling-related messages visible over a single Premier League weekend, labeling the situation as overwhelming. On the other side, Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst raised concerns about the economic dependency of sports and broadcasting on gambling revenue, warning that excessive restrictions might drive customers towards unlicensed foreign operators, thereby fueling a growing black market.
