Across Australia, responsible gambling advocates are expressing their concerns about the prevalence of gambling ads. They are worried that television ads that promote casinos and bookmakers encourage viewers – particularly young people – to gamble. Now, the same issue is being discussed in the United Kingdom, as famed film critic Barry Norman expresses his concerns about gambling ads.
Mr Norman, who is renowned for his in-depth reviews of movies, was recently interviewed in The Times. During his interview, he expressed his concern about the effect that gambling ads have on television viewers. He states that they glamourize the activity without providing any notion of the fact that gambling can be harmful.
“Perhaps most disturbing of all are the gambling commercials, which make betting look glamorous and surely appeal most strongly to the poorest and most desperate among us,” he says. While plenty of casino operators and bookmakers air advertisements, Mr Norman used the National Lottery as an example.
He pointed out that lottery draws are aired during prime time, ensuring that the most viewers possible are exposed to the thrill of gambling. This type of exposure can be especially harmful to vulnerable individuals, such as problem gamblers, young people and those affected by poverty. The UK’s Advertising Standards Association does a decent job of monitoring gambling advertisements that are especially misleading.
Ad campaigns that distinctly glamourize casino games and betting are taken off the air, but responsible gambling advocates believe that more can be done. In Australia, the local government has implemented a number of restrictions on gambling ads. Gambling ads are no longer permitted to air during and directly before or after sports matches.
Television stations are also prohibited from airing live betting odds during games. In other countries, such as the UK, where concerns have been raised about gambling ads, the general public could benefit from imposing similar restrictions.
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