UK Calls For Blanket Gambling Ad Ban On Daytime TV Ads
- Published:
- Last Updated:
The UK government and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) have been under constant pressure for the last few years to do more to keep problem gambling numbers in check. The UK government and the gaming regulator have taken multiple steps in the last couple of years to make things more stringent for gambling operators and provide better protection to Brits.
Blanket Ban On Gambling Ads Proposed
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling-Related Harm (APPG) says more should be done to protect young people and women from succumbing to gambling addiction. The APPG party claims that one way to do something about this is to ensure that no gambling ads are shown during daytime television.
The APPG wrote a letter to ITV and Channel 5 and said that there are far too many gambling ads being shown during daytime TV and it is turning out to be a big problem, especially now as so many young Brits are stuck at home and glued to their television screens due to the coronavirus lockdown.
GalaBingo’s sponsorship of the popular Australian soap opera Neighbours was cited as an example of gambling advertisements during daytime TV. APPG reminded TV operators that they had a civic responsibility to their customers and should take action and stop all gambling related ads from being telecast during the day.
UK gambling operators are not happy with the stringent regulations being imposed every year as their freedom is being significantly restricted. The UK gambling market is one of the most competitive iGaming markets in the world and all of the top operators have big advertising budgets to stay ahead of the competition.
Will Daytime Gambling Ads Be Banned?
Will TV channels given into the demands of the APPG or will they continue to advertise gambling ads during daytime television till an official ban is made by the UK government. We will not have to wait long to see how this turns out because the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is currently reviewing the outdated 2005 Gaming Act.
DCMS has a special committee reviewing these outdated laws which are especially weak when it comes to the online gaming market. There is already a strong push to sports teams and top sporting leagues like the English Premier League from tying up with gambling operators and advertising their gambling products and services.
We will have to wait a couple of months to see if gambling ads get banned during daytime TV!