Gambling Companies Should Stop Pre-Watershed Televsion Advertising

Bet365 adverts featuring Ray Winston helps push up revenues

Gambling firms should consider cutting television adverts during pre-watershed times when sporting events are shown even thou they are legally entitled to do so, said one gaming consultant.

It comes at a time when the UK Government comes under more pressure from campaigners to stop gambling firms advertising during those times as campaigners say it normalises betting to young viewers.

Both the leaders of the Church of England and a Conservative Peer have asked the Government to restrict betting adverts on television to after the traditional 9pm watershed.

This follows a survey commissioned by Lord Chadlington that found that 65% of teenagers felt that they are being bombarded by betting adverts while watching televised sporting events.

At present gambling companies have an exemption allowing them to advertise on television prior to the 9pm watershed IF there is a live sporting event on television, however campaigners such as Lord Chadlington and the Bishop of St Albans are calling on the Government to stop this exemption.

One gambling consultant that did not want to be named but has worked in the UK industry for many years said, “the gambling firms should take the initiative on this and self-exclude themselves from advertising before 9pm, it would show that they are actually taking a pro-active stance to protect younger vulnerable viewers.”

Even though both the Bishop of St Albans and Lord Chadlington want t total ban on betting adverts before and after the 9pm watershed, that is not going to happen but the Government could consider the pre-9pm restriction.