Children see gambling ‘normalised at every turn’, cross-party report warns

The Government has been urged to introduce bold gambling reforms without delay, or risk further harm to UK children.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Reform (APPG) and Peers for Gambling Reform (PGR) released a joint report calling on the Government to tackle the “significant and growing” scourge of gambling advertising across the UK.

It highlighted that gambling companies spend approximately £1.5 – £2 billion a year on advertising to grow demand for the industry, and cited research that more gambling leads to greater harm.

Damaging influence

The report emphasised the link between gambling advertising and gambling-related harm, stating: “We have repeatedly heard compelling evidence from individuals for whom such advertising is not simply ambient background noise, but a persistent and damaging influence – one that actively undermines attempts to reduce or cease gambling altogether.”

It explained: “where there is credible evidence of harm, it is incumbent upon policymakers to act with proportionate and effective measures. This requires ensuring that the regulator is adequately empowered, that rules are enforceable in practice, and that all operators seeking to profit from UK consumers are subject to rigorous and meaningful scrutiny.”

The APPG and PGR concluded: “The Government must not repeat the mistakes of the past by delaying action or deferring to calls for further evidence where the case for reform is already clear.”

Preventing harm

Chair of PGR, Lord Foster of Bath, said: “For too long, the balance has been tilted in favour of permissive advertising rather than effective protection.

“The sheer volume and sophistication of gambling marketing, particularly online, means that children and those suffering harm are being exposed in ways that existing regulations simply do not address.”

He added: “If we are serious about preventing further harm, we must now significantly change the rules.”

Protecting children

The Co-Chair of the APPG, Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, said: “Enough is enough, for too long the gambling industry has got away with advertising where they like, when they like and failing to adhere to regulation or codes of conduct.

“Children and young people will pay the price, and it is luring people into gambling more and more. What is the point of introducing gambling restrictions when you continue to allow extensive advertising to further stimulate demand in both the legal and illegal markets.”

His Co-Chair Alex Ballinger MP commented: “Children today are growing up in an environment where gambling is normalised at every turn”.

He concluded: “We cannot allow this level of exposure to continue unchecked. Protecting children must come first, and that means taking decisive action to reduce the scale and reach of gambling advertising.”