Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Paragraph: 84
Implement further regulation on gambling advertising beyond current government proposals
Recommendation
While the existing evidence base does not show a causative link between gambling advertising and harm, it seems clear that advertising encourages participation in gambling and that this effect is more pronounced for children and those vulnerable to gambling harm. Though the White Paper’s proposals regarding direct marketing and promotional offers are welcome, the Government should have taken a more precautionary approach to gambling advertising in general—particularly to minimise children’s exposure. We do not consider that a complete ban on gambling advertising would be appropriate, but this still leaves scope for further regulation beyond that proposed by the Government.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledged the need for continued action on advertising, referring to existing White Paper proposals and Betting and Gaming Council commitments, such as 20% safer gambling messaging and 25+ age targeting for digital ads.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
84
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
36. While the Gambling Act confers on licensed operators the right to advertise legal gambling products in Great Britain, we absolutely recognise that gambling advertisements can have a disproportionate impact on those experiencing gambling harms. That is why we and the Gambling Commission are taking targeted action to ban aggressive practices and ensure that advertising remains socially responsible. The Gambling Commission has recently consulted on proposals to ensure that incentives such as free bets and bonuses are constructed in a socially responsible manner and do not encourage excessive or harmful gambling. The Gambling Commission has also consulted on new rules to give consumers more control over the direct gambling marketing they wish to receive. The Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) will collect data on marketing and advertising on a regular basis, and the Commission will continue to monitor the evidence base. As part of the statutory levy, funding will be directed towards high-quality, independent research around gambling and gambling-related harms, which could include longitudinal studies and further advertising related research (further detail at paragraph 57). The government will continue to monitor the evidence base around the impact of gambling advertising on gambling behaviours and if there is further evidence of negative impacts, then the Government will take appropriate action, working closely with the Gambling Commission, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) to ensure the advertising regulation regime is fit for purpose.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗