UK gambling advertising ban recommendations

The House of Lords Liaison Committee has recommended that the UK government implement a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising as part of a public health approach to reduce gambling-related harms. In its report, “Gambling Harm—Time for Action: Follow-up report,” the committee noted that an estimated 1 to 1.5 million adults in Great Britain engage in problem gambling, which can lead to mental health issues, financial depletion, and relationship breakdowns.

The committee highlighted that the industry spends over £1 billion annually on promotions and relies heavily on high-spending customers, often from economically disadvantaged areas.

Subsequent details from the report suggest specific prohibitions, including banning gambling branding on sports kits, shirts, and around sports grounds, as well as extending restrictions to training kits. The recommendations also address the use of “free bet” labels and the targeting of promotional offers. Current protective measures in the UK include the GamStop self-exclusion scheme, which allows individuals to voluntarily block themselves from licensed online gambling operators for periods between six months and five years.