The report, commissioned by GambleAwarefound that Britain has the most lenient regulations on gambling advertising, despite more research into the negative effects of gambling marketing than several other European countries combined. The charity has launched an urgent appeal to protect the public from the harm of gambling.

It shows how bans on the marketing of gambling in Europe are increasingly becoming the norm in response to public health concerns about the harms of gambling and that children are particularly at risk.

Dr Raffaello RossiLecturer in marketing at the University of Bristol Business Schooland author of the report, said: “Our research shows that Britain has the strongest evidence of the harms of gambling marketing, but some of the fewest restrictions in Europe. This suggests that the lack of strict restrictions is not due to insufficient evidence but rather a lack of political will.

“Across Europe, bans on gambling marketing are increasingly becoming the norm, seen as necessary to protect the public. Britain, however, becomes an exception and has virtually no significant restrictions. The evidence is clear: policymakers must act urgently to protect millions of people from avoidable harm.

GambleAware, the leading charity and strategic commissioner for gambling harm prevention, is today calling for an advance ban on broadcast adverts, restrictions on gambling content and online marketing, a ban general in all sports and mandatory health warnings.

Report reveals Britain lags behind in implementing gambling marketing legislation, particularly compared to other European countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany , the Netherlands and Belgium.

The study also identified almost 500 research papers published over the past decade by UK universities, including specialist gambling units at academic institutions such as Bristol, Bournemouth and Glasgow. Although this research totals more than Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium combined, there is no primary legislation to regulate gambling marketing, including on television, radio, online and in sports.

There is strong evidence that gambling advertising increases participation and therefore risk; exacerbates the harm; and normalizes play as just “harmless fun,” especially among children.

Professor Siân Griffiths CBE, public health expert and chair of GambleAware Trustees, said: “We have previously highlighted that the lack of advertising and regulation of gambling marketing in this country is a missed opportunity. It is important to keep in mind that gambling can be addictive and that gambling harms should be recognized as a public health issue that can affect anyone.

“We have long been concerned about the impact that gambling advertising and marketing can have on children and young people. This is why urgent action is needed to protect the next generation from harm. »

The latest estimates from 2017 suggest that gaming operators spend around £1.5 billion a year on advertising and marketing. Researchconducted by the University of Bristol in September, also showed that Premier League fans were subjected to almost 30,000 gaming messages during the opening weekend of this season, an increase of 165 percent compared to the previous year.

This increase comes despite clear public support for action, as data from GambleAware and Ipsos revealed in June that an overwhelming majority say there is currently too much advertising about gambling (67 percent percent) and supports more regulations on social media (74 percent). ) and television (72 percent).

Lord Foster of Bath, chairman of Peers for Gambling Reform, said: “Every day we are bombarded with gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship on television, radio and online. There is enormous public support for combating this phenomenon and plenty of research demonstrating the damage it causes. But we remain woefully behind in terms of the regulations needed to protect individuals from harm.

“Crucially, the power to regulate key aspects of this area – such as gambling advertising – is already in the hands of the Secretary of State, as provided for in the Gambling Act 2005. Our regulations current policies are too lenient and fail to move things forward. a necessary public health approach to gambling that Peers for Gambling Reform has long called for.

In 2022, the Bristol Hub for research into gambling harms was launched at the University of Bristol to carry out pioneering multidisciplinary research into the large-scale effects of gambling harm.

The independent centre, funded by a £4 million grant from national charity GambleAware, facilitates cutting-edge research to improve understanding of gambling harm as a growing public health problem that requires review and regulation more in-depth.

Whether you are a victim of harm directly or as an affected person, you can contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. It is available 24/7 and offers free advice, tools and support confidential.  

Report

‘Drivers of gambling marketing restrictions – an international comparison» by the University of Bristol and Ipsos UK