The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform is ramping up its campaign to enforce stricter regulations on gambling advertising, particularly aimed at shielding children from betting promotions in football.
On Wednesday, the APPG held a series of meetings that included members of parliament, peers, academics, and campaigners who gathered to assess new evidence and discuss potential policy changes. Representatives from the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) and Clean Up Gambling, alongside former football players and activists, who have been advocating for tighter restrictions on gambling advertising, participated in the discussions.
Following these meetings, the APPG expressed its endorsement of CEGA's petition delivered to 10 Downing Street, which calls for a complete ban on gambling advertisements in football. The petition emphasizes the need to protect young football fans from exposure to betting imagery and sponsorships during matches, a pressing concern for campaigners and public health advocates.
The parliamentary push for reduced gambling advertising aligns with growing scrutiny on the subject. Recently, the House of Lords Liaison Committee issued a report recommending an all-encompassing ban on gambling advertising. This report indicates that there is substantial evidence linking gambling ads to increased participation and resultant harms.
The committee explicitly highlighted the impact of sponsorships and advertising associated with sports teams, asserting that voluntary initiatives have not effectively diminished the industry's visibility. According to Dr. Matt Gaskell MBE, it was noted 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”.
The APPG has also previously collaborated with Peers for Gambling Reform to release a report that advocates for a ban on gambling advertisements before 9pm and calls for an end to sporting sponsorships. During a parliamentary debate spurred by this report, MPs described gambling advertisements as a public health concern and urged a response from the house.
Labour MP Alex Ballinger pointed to studies showing that thousands of gambling-related messages appear during a single Premier League weekend, describing the pervasive nature of this exposure. Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst, however, highlighted the economic significance of gambling revenue for sports and broadcasting, warning that stringent restrictions could push customers towards unregulated offshore operators and thus exacerbate the black market.
