Gambling ads require stricter rules as Safer Gambling Week begins

David Gravel November 18, 2024

SiGMA news

As European Safer Gambling Week unfolds between November 18th and 24th, countries across the continent unite to raise awareness of responsible gambling practices. This initiative coincides with the UK’s own Safer Gambling Week, emphasising the need to safeguard consumers from the risks of gambling. While these campaigns play a crucial role in educating the public on how to gamble responsibly, a growing issue has emerged: the leniency of UK gambling advertisement regulations. The UK’s regulatory approach to gambling marketing differs significantly from that of other European countries, raising concerns about potential public health implications. Experts are urging the UK to reconsider its stance.

Why Safer Gambling Week matters

Safer Gambling Week is an essential initiative designed to promote responsible behaviours and provide support to those struggling with addiction. Both European and UK campaigns aim to protect individuals from gambling harm by offering education, resources, and tools like self-exclusion and deposit limits.

The 2024 Safer Gambling Week focuses on ensuring people across the UK and Europe are aware of the risks associated with gambling while offering solutions for safer practices. The conversation about gambling advertising’s influence on public opinion and behaviour becomes central as governments, regulators, and industry figures collaborate to inform the public.

In the UK, gambling advertising remains a persistent topic of debate. Despite some safeguards, concerns continue about how deeply these ads influence the public, particularly younger and more vulnerable audiences. This issue is more urgent than ever during Safer Gambling Week, as it is vital we don’t ignore the growing evidence linking gambling ads to problem behaviour.

Are the UK’s gambling ad policies lenient or outdated?

The United Kingdom has long faced criticism for its permissive approach to gambling advertising, especially when compared to European counterparts. The Gambling Act of 2005, which laid the foundation for the UK’s current regulatory framework, has come under scrutiny for failing to adequately address the complexities of modern gambling marketing. As a result, the UK remains vulnerable to practices that many experts consider insufficient under current regulations.

In response to growing concerns, the UK government has started a comprehensive review of the Gambling Act to ensure it aligns with the digital age. This review aims to modernise the regulatory framework, strengthen consumer protections, and collaborate with the industry to promote responsible gambling. The government has committed to introducing reforms that will address the serious harms caused by gambling addiction, while still allowing those who can gamble safely to continue doing so.

As part of these reforms, the government has proposed measures to tighten gambling advertising restrictions. These include a ban on gambling ads on the front of club shirts after the 2025/2026 season and a cross-sport Code of Practice to regulate gambling sponsorship. These changes aim to align gambling sponsorship standards with those already in place for the alcohol industry, ensuring a more balanced and responsible approach to sports-related advertising.

The Gambling Commission has also recommended additional measures to improve consumer protection. These recommendations include reducing the intensity of online games, giving consumers more control over gambling marketing, and improving age verification procedures at gambling venues.

These proposed changes reflect a significant shift towards more stringent regulation of gambling advertising in the UK. The government’s commitment to reform, combined with the Gambling Commission’s advice, signals a growing recognition of the need to balance economic interests with protecting vulnerable individuals.

The sheer volume of gambling advertising

In 2023, the UK gambling industry spent approximately £1.5 billion on marketing, a figure that continues to rise. The Gambling Commission’s 2023-2024 annual report highlighted that nearly half of the adult population in Great Britain engaged in gambling activities each month. This widespread participation underscores the significant reach and impact of gambling advertisements across various media platforms.

The volume and reach of these ads, combined with their persuasive and normalising messages, fuel an increase in gambling participation, particularly among vulnerable groups. Young people face significant exposure to gambling ads. In a 2023 study, the Gambling Commission found that over 50 percent of young adults aged 18-24 were exposed to gambling ads. Many of these young adults reported the ads influenced their likelihood of gambling.

Europe’s stricter approach to gambling advertising

Countries across Europe, such as Italy, Germany, and Spain, have taken decisive steps to tighten gambling advertising restrictions, recognising the risks posed by the normalisation of gambling through constant exposure. Italy, for example, has implemented a blanket ban on all gambling advertisements across all media platforms, including television, radio, print, and online. This ban prohibits any form of gambling promotion at any time of day, aiming to protect consumers, especially younger and more vulnerable individuals, from the potential harms of gambling exposure.

Other European countries, including Spain and the Netherlands, have introduced similar measures, including pre-watershed bans and stricter controls on online gambling ads. These measures aim to curb gambling marketing’s impact on younger audiences and prevent the industry from normalising harmful gambling behaviours.

In stark contrast, the UK has been slow to introduce similar restrictions. While there have been calls for a tighter regulatory framework, particularly following the Gambling Commission’s 2023 review, the UK government has yet to take decisive action. The delay in regulating gambling marketing has left the UK trailing behind its European counterparts in terms of consumer protection.

The impact of gambling ads on public health

Gambling advertising has well-documented potential harms. A 2023 study by GambleAware found that gambling advertising is contributing to an increase in the number of people developing gambling problems in the UK.

Research shows a direct link between the prevalence of gambling ads and increased gambling activity, with young people and vulnerable individuals being particularly at risk. The Gambling reports that over half of young adults between 18 and 24 have seen gambling ads. Many of these young adults say the ads made them consider gambling more seriously.

The rise of digital advertising has amplified the problem. Platforms like social media, search engines, and streaming services now target users with personalised gambling ads, exploiting algorithms to reach even those not actively seeking to gamble. Consequently, these algorithms push gambling ads towards people who might not be interested in gambling, but are still susceptible to the persuasive nature of the marketing.

Experts warn that the heavy reliance on gambling advertisements to drive participation could normalise gambling, making it appear as an everyday activity. This shift in perception is dangerous, as it can lead individuals to underestimate the risks associated with gambling or cannot recognise early signs of problematic behaviour.

A call for stricter regulations

As Safer Gambling Week progresses, advocates for stronger regulation are reiterating their calls for the UK to implement tougher controls on gambling advertising. The UK’s regulatory framework for gambling is lagging behind other European countries. This is worrisome, especially with increasing evidence of the negative effects of excessive gambling marketing.

GambleAware’s recent report has underscored the urgent need for the UK to adopt more stringent advertising regulations that align more closely with European standards. Marc Etches, CEO of GambleAware, has repeatedly stressed the importance of overhauling the UK’s advertising policies. According to Etches, “It is clear from these results that there is strong public support for firmer advertising rules within the gambling industry.”

The public health community also supports stronger regulation. Following Safer Gambling Week, experts are calling for the UK to introduce stricter rules on gambling advertising. They recommend banning ads before the watershed, limiting online marketing, and increasing penalties for companies that breach advertising standards. Organisations such as the Responsible Gambling Council and the GamCare Foundation agree, stating that the UK must take more action to protect individuals vulnerable to gambling addiction.

Besides regulatory changes, advocates are calling for increased investment in gambling harm prevention and treatment services. These services are vital for helping individuals struggling with gambling addiction, ensuring that support is available before problems escalate.

The role of safer gambling week in driving change

As Safer Gambling Week continues to gain traction across the UK and Europe, the conversation surrounding gambling advertising is intensifying. The leniency of the UK’s gambling advertising regulations is no longer a fringe issue; it is now a central topic of debate. With public awareness of gambling harm on the rise, the pressure on the UK government to act is mounting.

Safer Gambling Week plays a crucial role in advancing this agenda. By focusing on the risks of gambling addiction and promoting responsible gambling practices, these initiatives provide the public with valuable resources to protect themselves. However, these campaigns alone cannot address the issue at its core. Until the UK takes decisive action to regulate gambling advertising, the conversation about responsible gambling will remain incomplete.

Safer Gambling Week highlights the responsibility of the gambling industry to its customers. This includes creating a safe environment for gambling and ensuring that advertising does not fuel addiction. The UK cannot afford to delay further. Safer Gambling Week is a critical opportunity to explore meaningful change.