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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to banning advertising for gambling.

The Government considered the evidence on gambling advertising as part of the Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures. The response was published in May 2018, and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-for-changes-to-gaming-machines-and-social-responsibility-measures

Strict rules already ensure gambling adverts are not targeted at, or appeal to, children, or exploit vulnerable people. These apply across all media, including online. The Review set out a package of measures to strengthen existing protections further, including tough new guidance from the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) on protecting vulnerable people and children, and a multi-million pound safer gambling advertising campaign. This launched in February and is aimed at reducing risky and impulsive gambling.

The gambling industry also recently announced that it will introduce a whistle-to-whistle ban on adverts during daytime (pre-9pm) sporting events in response to public concerns. This will come into force on 1 August. We will continue to monitor issues around gambling advertising and consider any new evidence carefully.