Gambling Advertising in Sport

Opened the debate

The issue of gambling advertising in sport, particularly football, was raised by Carolyn Harris. She highlighted that since the Gambling Act 2005, gambling advertisements have increased exponentially. With approximately 1.8 million at-risk gamblers and around 500 suicides linked to gambling annually, she argued this is a serious concern for public health. Half of all Premier League shirts are sponsored by betting companies, with West Ham’s deal alone worth £10 million from Betway, leading to a projected nearly £350 million in sponsorship deals this season. The prevalence of these ads during football matches on television and in video games like FIFA 2020 further exacerbates the problem. She emphasised that gambling companies are normalising gambling among young people and children, making it easier for vulnerable individuals to open new accounts. Harris called for stricter regulations, urging the industry to take more responsible approaches regarding advertising, including a blanket ban on betting ads in sports.

Government Response

Nigel Huddleston acknowledged the concerns raised about gambling advertising in sports, noting that the Gambling Act 2005 permits licensed operators to advertise responsibly. While the Minister emphasised the importance of advertising for legal businesses like gambling, he stressed the need to protect vulnerable individuals and children from excessive exposure to such ads. He highlighted that industry spending on advertising has increased significantly but rates of problem gambling have remained stable at below 1%. The Minister mentioned the existing “whistle-to-whistle ban” and noted ongoing efforts by the Gambling Commission to enforce strict rules against targeting children or appealing to vulnerable groups through advertising. He also pointed out the commitment from the gambling industry to fund a safer gambling campaign. Huddleston assured that the Government will continue reviewing the act's effectiveness, especially considering digital age challenges. The Minister announced several measures already implemented, such as banning credit card gambling and mandating operators’ participation in GAMSTOP for self-exclusion. He committed to addressing specific concerns like student loan bets through the upcoming review of gambling legislation.