House of Lords recommends comprehensive ban on gambling advertising

The House of Lords Liaison Committee has recommended that the UK government implement a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising. In its “Gambling Harm—Time for Action: Follow-up report,” published on September 17, 2026, the cross-party committee argued that a broad ban is the most effective way to achieve the government’s goal of reducing gambling-related harms and should be a central component of a public health approach.

The report notes that an estimated 1 to 1.5 million adults in Great Britain engage in problem gambling. Documented consequences include relationship breakdowns, reduced spending on essential goods, the depletion of savings, and borrowing money to fund gambling. In extreme cases, these harms can lead to mental health issues and suicide.

The committee highlighted that the gambling industry relies heavily on a small group of high-spending customers, with a disproportionate amount of profits coming from economically disadvantaged areas. It also noted that since the liberalization introduced by the Gambling Act 2005, advertising volume has increased significantly, with the sector now spending over £1 billion annually on promotions.