Today, the largest gambling operators in the UK are to hold talks regarding an unprecedented series of decisions to put voluntary restrictions on their advertising campaigns amid rising political pressure for a thorough gambling industry crackdown.
According to information revealed by Sky News, the board of the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), some of which members are William Hill, Ladbrokes, bet365, Betfred and Paddy Power, will have a meeting to discuss the situation and the advertising code which they are obliged to comply with.
#GCRS2018 pic.twitter.com/JWyGWaPoGB
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) November 8, 2018
Rumour has it that Tuesday’s agenda will contain the fullest set of measures to restrict gambling industry’s TV adverts. The proposals, which are set to be considered, include a complete ban on gambling operator’s adverts aired before the watershed; a suspension on so-called “in-play” betting ads aired during various sports events which are broadcast live; as well as restricting the number of gambling adverts that could be aired during a commercial break.
As Sky News revealed, sources familiar with the situation explained that it was very unlikely for a consensus to be reached among the body’s members at the scheduled RGA board meeting. According to them, further consultation will be necessary before any recommendations are made to the group which is engaged with the changes in the voluntary advertising code of the UK gambling sector.
Despite that, the planned discussions highlight the fact that the local gambling industry is well-aware with the considerations of anti-gambling campaigners and with the fact that they need to take effective action in order to avoid stricter measures from regulators.
New Gambling Advertising Rules Came into Effect on October 31st
The implementation of gambling advertising restrictions has been a widely-discussed topic for some time now, but the number of bookmakers’ commercials has lately increased.
New advertising rules for the gambling industry came into effect only recently. The changes, which were officially brought to the License conditions and codes of practice on October 31st, are aimed at protecting customers from gambling-related harm.
New rules from the Gambling Commission, which come into force from 31 October 2018, mean gambling companies that break advertising rules or breach consumer law will face tougher action: https://t.co/aRFEyRzfAC pic.twitter.com/nuzz3VICNF
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) August 1, 2018
Previously, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) said that the changes were implemented as part of the crackdown on the sector, will certainly make it easier for regulators to take action and prevent violations of the advertising rules. At the time of the Raising Standards Conference, the Chief Executive Officer of the UKGC, Neil McArthur, warned gambling operators’ executives that the companies’ advertising campaigns are dangerous to young and more vulnerable people and shared a concerning trend that gambling is being mostly popularised among young people.
Now, gambling operators are reportedly considering to become more engaged with responsible advertising practices in an attempt to avoid more serious measures imposed by regulators. Some gambling companies have already backed the idea of bringing new restrictions to gambling advertising, with GVC Holdings saying that it supported a move to see gambling adverts suspended from live football matches before the 9:00 PM TV watershed.
- Author
Olivia Cole
