Majority of public support total ban on UK gambling adverts, poll finds

Majority of public support total ban on UK gambling adverts, poll finds

Article brief provided by The Guardian
  • Rob Davies, The Guardian
June 15, 2021 11:14 PM
  • Rob Davies, The Guardian

Most of the public support a total ban on gambling adverts, while three-quarters think restrictions should be tighter than they are now, a nationwide poll has found.

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Citing the survey of more than 12,000 people, the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) urged the government to use its review of gambling regulation to forcibly reduce the number of ads the industry places on TV, radio and online.

Gambling is addictive and “should be no different” from tobacco in the way that its marketing is restricted, said the RSPH chief executive, Christina Marriott.

The YouGov survey found that 77% of adults support a ban on gambling ads on radio and TV before 9pm, with a similar number in favour of the same curbs applying to social media and online too.