Gambling: Addictions and Advertising

(asked on 4th March 2026) - View Source

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to raise awareness of gambling-related harms and mitigate the impact of gambling advertisements.


Answered by
Ian Murray Portrait
Ian Murray
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
This question was answered on 12th March 2026

All operators who advertise in the UK must comply with advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority independently of government. The codes include a wide range of provisions which are designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm and ensure that adverts are socially responsible.

However, we recognise that more work needs to be done to ensure that gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. We are working closely, across government and with industry, to ensure children and the most vulnerable are protected, and to tackle illegal gambling advertising.

In addition, the new statutory gambling levy will raise around c.£100 million in funding every year. This funding will be ringfenced to deliver priority projects and services for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm, further increasing awareness, understanding and treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain.

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