The Culture, Media and Sport Committee MPs are advocating for a decrease in gambling adverts displayed within stadiums, particularly during football matches.
Their report, addressing the need to minimise children’s exposure to gambling advertisements, asserts the Government's role in adopting a more cautious approach than proposed in the Gambling White Paper.
Despite acknowledging the forthcoming withdrawal of gambling sponsorships from the front of Premier League players' shirts, the cross-party committee emphasises that this step alone won't significantly reduce the prevalence of betting adverts seen during games.
Citing recent studies, the report notes that while front-of-shirt gambling branding constituted only 7% of visible advertising during ten surveyed broadcast matches, nearly 7,000 gambling messages were observed during six matches on the season's opening weekend.
The MPs recommend that the gambling sponsorship code of conduct, a collaboration between the Government and sport’s governing bodies, should focus on reducing stadium gambling adverts. Additionally, they suggest allocating a larger share of advertising to promote safer gambling practices.
However, the report suggests a different approach for gambling sponsorship and advertising within horseracing and greyhound racing due to their historical ties with betting.
The report aligns with several proposals outlined in the Government’s Gambling White Paper, including the introduction of a financial risk check system by gambling operators for accounts experiencing significant losses within specific periods. However, the Committee stresses the need for minimal intrusiveness and data protection in implementing these checks.
Regarding gambling advertising, the MPs urge better comprehension of its impact on gambling-related harm, calling for the need for thorough research on the connection between advertising and gambling risks, particularly among women and children.
These recommendations come in the wake of the Advertising Standards Authority's recent ruling against Betfred for an advertisement displayed during a programme potentially targeting individuals under 18.
