APPG backs fresh push to kick gambling ads out of football 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform has intensified efforts to impose stricter limits on gambling advertising, marketing, and sponsorship, with a particular focus on protecting children from exposure to betting promotions in football. 

On Wednesday, the APPG convened multiple meetings that brought together members of parliament, peers, academics and campaigners to discuss fresh evidence and potential policy measures. 

Representatives from the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) and Clean Up Gambling joined former football professionals and active campaigners who have long lobbied for stricter gambling advertising restrictions. 

Following the event, the APPG publicly endorsed and supported CEGA’s delivery of a petition to 10 Downing Street, urging the government to remove gambling advertising from football altogether. 

The petition emphasised safeguarding young football fans from exposure to betting imagery and sponsorship during matches, which is a key point of contention for campaigners and public health advocates.

House of Lords recommends comprehensive ban

The surge in parliamentary activity coincides with increased scrutiny of gambling advertising. Recently, the House of Lords Liaison Committee published a report recommending a comprehensive ban on all gambling advertising. 

According to the committee, robust evidence now links gambling advertising to increased participation and associated harms. 

Sponsorships and advertising with sports teams had a specific focus, claiming that voluntary efforts had failed to reduce the industry’s exposure. 

In the report Dr Matt Gaskell MBE observed that “overall exposure (including shirts, hoardings, logos, sponsorship and related marketing) during live sports programmes does not show that self-regulation has reduced exposure meaningfully”. 

APPG comes down hard on sporting sponsorships

Additionally, the APPG published their own report earlier this year with Peers for Gambling Reform. This report called for a pre-9pm watershed ban on gambling advertisements as well as a ban on sporting sponsorships. 

In response to the report, MPs branded gambling advertisements as a public health issue and, during a parliamentary debate, called on the house to address the issue. Once again, sporting sponsorship came into higher focus. 

Labour MP Alex Ballinger pointed to research showing thousands of gambling-related messages were visible during a single Premier League weekend, characterising the saturation as pervasive. 

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst stressed the economic importance of gambling revenue for sport and broadcasting. He cautioned that harsh curbs could push customers toward unlicensed overseas operators and thereby expand a burgeoning black market.