Gambling industry toughens code on television adverts
Gambling sector to ban television adverts for sign up offers before 9 PM
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has welcomed the gambling industry’s announcement that it will no longer advertise sign-up offers on television before 9 PM.
The move follows the completion of a four strand-review of gambling advertising that was initiated by the government in 2014.
The Industry Group for Responsible Gambling announced the measure today after completing a review of its own code for socially responsible gambling.
Tracey Crouch welcomed the move but added that she also wants the industry, alongside regulators, to examine how social media is being used to market its products to ensure that young people are protected.
Tracey Crouch said:
I welcome the IGRG’s steps taken to strengthen the industry code and end sign-up offers on television before 9PM.
However, I also want to see gambling operators, regulators and social media firms come together to examine if more needs to be done to ensure that marketing for gambling products is not reaching young people through social media.
I will continue to look at the issue of gambling advertising regularly and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary to protect people from being harmed by gambling.
The IGRG’s review comes after the Committees of Advertising Practice, the Advertising Standards Authority and the Gambling Commission all completed their own reviews on gambling advertising.
The ASA was satisfied that it has been meeting its key objectives of protecting young people and vulnerable adults in its decisions on complaints about gambling adverts.
On reviewing the most recent evidence, the Committees of Advertising Practice were satisfied that the evidence did not provide a significant case for changes to the rules.
The Gambling Commission strengthened provisions in its licence conditions and codes of practice (LCCP) by requiring the marketing of promotional offers – such as free bets and bonuses – to adhere to the CAP/BCAP rules and guidance and be open, transparent and not mislead.