UK news sources have reported that the Conservative Government are considering a blanket ban on all gambling advertisements before the 9pm watershed.
The government is set to add a review of UK gambling advertising practices to its ongoing examination of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
Early reports indicate that government will seek to clampdown gambling on TV advertising, expressing concerns about ‘normalising’ teenagers to gambling products and services.
Current advertising standards allow for the promotion of betting services during live sporting events before the 9pm UK watershed. Online bingo services are also excluded from any watershed restrictions under current advertising laws.
Under former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s tenure, a review of gambling advertising standards had been blocked, as the heads of the Conservative government viewed the industry to be a reliable tax source.
However, The Times newspaper reports that a senior minister had declared that ‘The gambling industry has run out of luck’.
Furthermore, UK ministers are seeking for tougher standards on the promotion of gambling services, following a report that over a quarter of UK Advertising Standards Authority had been related to betting and gaming adverts.
UK Sports Minister Tracey Crouch commented last month on the gambling industry:
“The Government is committed to ensuring that people, particularly the young and vulnerable, are protected from the risk of gambling-related harm.
“We are keeping the issue of advertising under review to ensure that sufficient protections are in place, and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary.”
