House of Lords recommends comprehensive gambling advertising ban

A House of Lords report has recommended a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising to reduce gambling-related harms. The report, which heavily cited research from Swansea University’s Gambling Research, Education and Treatment (GREAT) Centre, suggests that implementing such a ban is the most effective policy for mitigating harm.

Key recommendations include prohibiting gambling branding on sports kits, shirts, and around sports grounds, as well as extending these restrictions to training kits. The committee also proposed a ban on inducements and addressed concerns regarding the targeting of promotional offers and the use of “free bet” labels.

In the United Kingdom, the GamStop self-exclusion scheme currently serves as a protective measure for individuals struggling with addiction. Established in 2018 through a partnership between the UK Gambling Commission and the gaming sector, GamStop allows users to voluntarily block themselves from all licensed online gambling operators for periods ranging from six months to five years.