William Eichler 21 December 2023

Health chiefs back call for more gambling restrictions

Health chiefs back call for more gambling restrictions image
Image: Silvi Photo / Shutterstock.com.

Local health chiefs have backed a call from MPs urging the Government to do more to minimise children’s exposure to gambling advertising.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called on the Government to take a more precautionary approach to advertising than that proposed in the gambling White Paper.

The committee welcomed the forthcoming voluntary withdrawal of gambling sponsorship from the front of Premier League players’ shirts but warned that this ‘will not significantly reduce the volume of betting adverts visible during a game.’

The report cites a recent study that found that front-of-shirt gambling branding consisted of just 7% of all that was visible during the 10 broadcast matches surveyed.

Another study has also found that nearly 7,000 gambling messages could be seen during six matches surveyed on the opening weekend of the season.

The committee recommended that the new gambling sponsorship code of conduct should include provision to reduce gambling adverts in stadia and require that a higher proportion of advertising is dedicated to safer gambling messaging.

Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), commented: ‘We need to look at the role that society and the gambling industry is playing in causing gambling harm and take steps to limit it. Children are exposed on a daily basis to harmful gambling products and the only effective way to stop this exposure is by introducing tighter regulations.

‘Unless we take action to protect our children and young people, another generation will grow up to view gambling as a normal activity and society will continue to see – and feel – its damaging consequences.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner