The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform is making a renewed push to implement stricter restrictions on gambling advertising, marketing, and sponsorship, particularly aimed at safeguarding children from exposure to betting promotions in football.
On Wednesday, the APPG held a series of meetings that drew together members of parliament, peers, academics, and campaigners to examine new evidence and discuss policy initiatives.
Groups such as the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) and Clean Up Gambling participated alongside former football professionals and activists who have been advocating for tighter controls on gambling advertising.
After the event, the APPG expressed its support for CEGA's petition delivered to 10 Downing Street, which calls for the complete removal of gambling advertising from football. The petition highlights the urgent need to protect young football fans from encountering betting imagery and sponsorship during matches, an issue that has become a rallying cry for advocacy groups and public health experts.
In alignment with this growing political momentum, the House of Lords Liaison Committee has recently published a report recommending a total ban on all gambling advertising. The committee noted substantial evidence linking gambling ads to increased participation in betting and the related harms.
The report specifically targeted sponsorships and advertising associated with sports teams, arguing that voluntary measures have failed to significantly diminish the industry's visibility. Dr. Matt Gaskell MBE stressed, "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 voiced strong opposition to sporting sponsorships through a report they released earlier this year with Peers for Gambling Reform. This report advocated for a ban on gambling advertisements before 9 PM and called for an end to sporting sponsorships.
In parliamentary discussions, MPs labeled gambling advertisements a public health concern, urging attention to the matter, particularly regarding sponsorships. Labour MP Alex Ballinger referenced research indicating that thousands of gambling-related messages appeared during a single weekend in the Premier League, describing this saturation as widespread.
On the other hand, Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst highlighted the financial significance of gambling revenue for sports and broadcasting, warning that stringent restrictions could drive customers towards unlicensed foreign operators and exacerbate the existing black market.
