A recent survey conducted by GambleAware has revealed significant public support for stricter regulations on gambling advertisements in the UK. The survey, carried out in collaboration with Ipsos, included responses from over 4,000 adults and highlighted growing concerns about the prevalence and impact of gambling ads. The findings indicate that a majority of the public believes there are too many gambling advertisements and that these ads have a negative impact, particularly on children and vulnerable individuals.

Public Demand for Stricter Regulations

The survey results show that nearly three-quarters of British consumers support increased regulation of gambling advertisements on social media and television. Specifically, 74% of respondents believe that social media ads should be more tightly regulated, while 72% support stricter controls on television adverts. This widespread concern reflects the public’s growing awareness of the potential harms associated with gambling advertising.

In addition to concerns about the volume of ads, 67% of respondents agreed that there are currently too many gambling advertisements in general. This sentiment is echoed by 66% of those surveyed, who expressed worry about the impact of these ads on children. The public’s call for stricter regulations is driven by a desire to protect vulnerable populations from the risks associated with gambling.

Impact on Gambling Behavior

The survey also sheds light on the direct impact of gambling advertisements on individuals’ behavior. According to the findings, 24% of respondents who had gambled in the past year reported taking gambling-related actions after seeing an advert. This figure rises dramatically among those experiencing gambling-related problems, with 79% of this group stating that advertisements make it difficult to reduce their gambling activities.

Furthermore, 51% of respondents indicated that gambling ads make it challenging to watch professional football without feeling the urge to place a bet. This highlights the pervasive influence of advertising on gambling behavior and underscores the need for more stringent regulations to mitigate these effects. The survey’s findings suggest that current advertising practices may be contributing to gambling addiction and related harms.

Proposed Measures for Safer Advertising

In response to the survey results, GambleAware has proposed several measures to make gambling advertising safer. One of the key recommendations is the implementation of a pre-watershed ban on broadcast advertising across television, radio, and video on demand. This would expand on the current voluntary whistle-to-whistle ban, which covers only a small percentage of all broadcast gambling ads.

GambleAware also advocates for all gambling advertisements to include independent, evidence-based health warnings with clear signposting to support services. This approach aims to help those in need by directing them to appropriate resources. Additionally, the organization suggests banning gambling marketing at sports events, including removing sponsorships from sports clothing, merchandise, and stadiums.