Gambling adverts may no longer be allowed to feature celebrities
Celebrities, sports professionals and social media influencers may no longer be able to feature in gambling adverts in future, if stricter rules and guidance are introduced.
Although the rules on gambling and lottery adverts have been very strict at ensuring children aren’t exposed, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is now looking into whether these rules need to be made stronger.
Public Consultation
The ASA have now proposed a public consultation to introduce stricter guidelines. They will be reviewing any evidence which relates to the way advertising could increase gambling related harm, and if necessary, tighten the rules.
One way is by reviewing adverts that may be seen to be appealing by children. At present, there are strict guidelines already in place with any child-oriented gambling advertising already banned. Research has shown that under 18s are attracted to certain imagery, character or themes, and anything that could be appealing or that children could be more influenced by, should be removed from gambling adverts.
As a result, if these new regulations were to be introduced, that would mean the end of any celebrity, social media or sports professionals being used to promote any gambling activity, as it is this cross section that can influence under 18s significantly.
Increasing number of underage gamblers
News of these proposed measures come at the same time it has been revealed that the UKs first NHS Child Gambling Clinic is seeing patients as young as 13 years old, who have developed a gambling addiction, often stealing parents’ money and getting into debts ranging from £20,000 to £100,000.
Anti-Gambling campaigners have said more needs to be done to shield under 18s from gambling related content and advertising and current regulations need to go even further.
The currently Gambing Act is being reviewed in order to strengthen legislation which, in this digital age, is now out of date, and is expected to be announced in early 2021.
