To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact a ban on gambling advertising on television would have on the number of problem gamblers in the UK; if so, what effect they estimate such a ban would have on that number; and what studies, if any, they have carried out to make such an estimate.
Answered on
30 November 2018
The Government considered the evidence on gambling advertising as part of the Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures.
The review found that although the number of gambling adverts on TV rose from 2007, reported rates of problem gambling remained below 1% during this period. The most recent survey estimated the number of adult problem gamblers in Great Britain as approximately 340,000, 0.7% of the adult population. A major research survey concluded that the impact of advertising on problem gambling prevalence is likely to be relatively small, but identified areas for further research.
There are already strict rules on the tone, content and placement of gambling adverts, and while the Review did not conclude there was a case for a ban, it set out measures to strengthen protections further. Further research has been commissioned by GambleAware into the impact of gambling advertising on children, young people and those vulnerable to harm. This is due to be completed next year. We will keep these issues under review including examining new evidence as it emerges.