Summary:
Government health messaging like those on cigarettes would not be effective at preventing problem gambling, according to a survey by the BGC. Almost half of the public think that banning popular promotions like ‘free bets’ wouldn’t help tackle problem gambling. Anti-gambling pressure groups say that both measures are the right tools to prevent problem gambling.
Government health messaging like those on cigarettes would not be effective at preventing problem gambling, according to 71 per cent of the public.
Almost half of the public think that banning popular promotions like free bets wouldn’t help tackle problem gambling rates.
Anti-gambling pressure groups say that the measures are the right tools to prevent problem gambling, despite the fact that just a small percentage of the adult population is struggling with their betting.
Only three per cent of the public think it would be very effective to enforce compulsory health warnings on betting products, and just eight per cent think banning free bets would be very effective at preventing problem gambling.
Government prepares to finalize new regulations for the betting and gaming industry as a result of the survey conducted by YouGov.
Around 22.5 million adults buy a lottery ticket, play bingo, place a bet in a casino, have a wager on sports or play online games.
The anti-gambling lobby in the UK is pushing for measures which will only stigmatise those who enjoy a harmless flutter, despite the fact that the problem gambling rates in the UK are low and have fallen.
Measures like these will only serve to drive people from the regulated sector to the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market where the number of bets has doubled in the last few years and the amount staked is in the billions.
Anti-gambling prohibitionists want to treat betting the same way as tobacco, but these two things are worlds apart and should be regulated differently.
Over one hundred thousand UK jobs are supported by the regulated betting and gaming sector, which raises billions of dollars in taxes.
The regulated industry is calling for a mandatory, non-statutory Ombudsman to improve customer satisfaction and to identify those showing signs of problem gambling.
Tough action has been taken by the regulated industry to prevent young people from being exposed to ads on social media.
A ban on ads during live football games has led to a decrease in the number of children watching betting adverts.