OFCOM research shows marked increase in gambling ads

Research compiled by broadcasting regulator OFCOM has revealed a nine-fold increase in Gambling TV advertising since 2006.

The 152 000 gambling advertising spots on TV recorded in 2006 have risen to 1.39 million in 2012 of which 38.3 percent advertised bingo.

The research categorised gambling advertisements into four sectors namely; online casino and poker; sports betting; bingo; and lotteries and scratch cards.

532 000 (38.3 percent) bingo ads aired on television in 2012, online casino and poker accounted for 411 000 (29.6 percent), lotteries and scratch cards amounted to 355 000 (25.6 percent) and sports betting ads totaled 91 000 (6.6 percent).

Historically gambling advertisements accounted for only 0.7 percent of TV advertising in 2006, rising to 4.1 percent in 2012.