UK gambling firms confirm reduction in advertising

The reportage earlier this week that UK gambling firms were about to agree to significantly reduce the volume of gambling advertising was confirmed Thursday when the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) – which coordinates five trade bodies – announced details of the proposed voluntary reductions.

Jeremy Wright, the UK government’s culture secretary, said gambling firms were “stepping up and responding to public concerns” following the IGRG statement.

“Gambling firms banning advertising on TV during live sport is a welcome move and I am pleased that the sector is stepping up and responding to public concerns,” Wright said. “It is vital children and vulnerable people are protected from the threat of gambling-related harm. Companies must be socially responsible.”

The IGRG detailed proposals that companies in the sector would submit to a “whistle-to-whistle” ban on adverts beginning five minutes before pre-watershed live sport events and ending five minutes after. The curbs exclude horse and greyhound racing.

The IGRG’s ban would also be extended to highlights shows and repeats and would prevent sponsorship of pre-watershed programmes.

John Hagan, the IGRG chair, described the package of measures as a “watershed moment” for his industry. He said: “We believe that these new voluntary TV measures, which have been approved by the trade associations representing every sector of the gambling industry, will drastically reduce the amount of gambling advertising on television and they complement the strict controls that already govern gambling companies around advertising on digital platforms.”

Related and similar