The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform is ramping up its push for stricter restrictions on gambling advertising, particularly aimed at protecting children from betting promotions in football.
On Wednesday, the APPG held a series of meetings that brought together parliamentarians, academics, and campaigners to present new evidence and explore potential policies.
Participants included representatives from the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) and Clean Up Gambling, as well as former football professionals and various campaigners advocating for tighter controls on gambling ads.
Following these discussions, the APPG officially backed CEGA's petition, which was presented to 10 Downing Street, demanding the total removal of gambling advertising from football.
The petition highlights the need to shield young football fans from being exposed to betting imagery and sponsorship during matches—a central issue for campaigners and public health advocates alike.
Meanwhile, the House of Lords Liaison Committee has also expressed concern over gambling advertising, recently releasing a report that recommends a comprehensive ban. This report cites extensive evidence linking gambling ads to increased betting activity and associated harms.
In particular, the report targets sponsorships and advertising with sports teams, noting that voluntary measures have failed to significantly reduce exposure to gambling promotions.
Dr. Matt Gaskell MBE noted that self-regulation has not meaningfully decreased the overall exposure, which includes shirts, hoardings, logos, sponsorships, and related marketing during live sports broadcasts.
Earlier this year, the APPG published a separate report in collaboration with Peers for Gambling Reform, advocating for a ban on gambling ads before 9 PM, in addition to a prohibition on sporting sponsorships.
During a parliamentary debate, MPs labeled gambling advertisements as a public health concern, renewing calls to tackle the issue. Labour MP Alex Ballinger highlighted research showing that thousands of gambling-related messages were visible over just one Premier League weekend, describing this prevalence as overwhelming.
Conversely, Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst warned of the economic implications tied to gambling revenue, arguing that strict regulations could drive customers to unlicensed offshore operators, inadvertently fueling an existing black market.
