Key points:
- Khan has faced criticism for not following through on his 2021 manifesto pledge to ban gambling adverts on the London Underground network
- Khan awaits government-led research before implementing policy change at City Hall
Khan’s 2021 pledge to remove gambling adverts from the London Underground network has not yet been implemented. At the time, Khan stated he would instruct Transport for London (TfL) to ban advertisements for casinos and betting websites, citing concerns over gambling addiction.
Four years later, the ban has not been introduced, and Khan has stated that he is waiting for the Government to establish a national framework to address the issue before making any changes.
In response to a question from the London Assembly, Khan stated that he needed more information about the Government's plans before making any policy changes at the city level. Caroline Russell, a Green member of the Assembly, has reacted to this, referencing the ongoing presence of gambling ads.
In March of last year, the London Assembly’s Health Committee reported that the city’s rate of problem gambling is nearly double the national average. Khan’s team has indicated that a ban could face legal challenges due to the lack of a national definition of harmful gambling advertising and has emphasised waiting for government leadership on the issue.
Good to know: The Mayor's office has confirmed that Khan is waiting for a national framework and research on harmful gambling advertising before considering regional action
A spokesman for the Betting and Gaming Council stated: “The regulated Betting and Gaming industry generates £2.2bn ($2.84bn) for the London economy, while supporting 28,000 jobs in the capital. Betting advertising and sponsorship must comply with strict guidelines and safer gambling messaging is regularly and prominently displayed.
