As reported by Casino Guardian on Friday, currently there are serious prospects of the UK Government and regulators to impose a ban on betting commercials broadcast over daytime TV programs in an attempt to narrow the exposure of children and individuals with gambling addictions to betting adverts.
Now the betting companies and broadcasting firms have expressed their anger with such a prospect, raising voices against an eventual decision of the competent authorities, being especially urged by the fact that the expenditures of gambling companies on TV advertising have increased by more than one half since 2012. In 2016 it reached a total of £162 million.
Over the last few months, the Government and regulatory authorities of the UK have expressed their concerns that such a massive exposure to betting adverts could have a serious impact on children and gambling addicts. This is exactly why they have been planning to scrutinise the industry, and more specifically – to investigate the massive expansion of the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), which have recently raised a lot of concerns among the regulatory authorities.
The threat of such measures being imposed on the industry, have made gambling and betting operators raise their voices against the eventual scrutiny. According to the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which includes William Hill, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power Betfair among its members, no further investigation is needed. In addition, the Association’s trade body cited the last year’s conclusion of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that said no ban was needed on the matters of daytime TV commercials.
The Chief Executive Officer of the RGA Clive Hawkswood shared that the evidence gathered last year had been considered not enough to provoke such an investigation.
In addition, the Advertising Association, which includes some of the largest and most popular broadcasters in the country, such as Sky, ITV and Channel 4, also reacted to the news of eventual ban being imposed on betting operators saying no reasons for such measures towards daytime TV ads to be taken. An official representative of the Association said that the organisation was open for further conversation on the matter. The spokesperson of the UK Advertising Association also said that over the last few years, online gambling sector had generated massive growth, but this had not had any significant impact on increasing the problem gambling behaviour.
On the other hand, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport had not revealed any specific measures against daytime TV betting adds. A representative of the Department revealed that the body planned to continue monitoring the already existing gambling restrictions and their efficiency, and that it would take further action in case that was necessary.
- Author
Daniel Williams
