Betting Sponsorships May Soon Be Regulated In Major Clampdown

Betting Sponsorships May Soon Be Regulated In Major Clampdown Britain’s biggest gambling companies, including William Hill, Betfred and Paddy Power, are in talks to stop advertising on a “whistle-to-whistle” basis.

It would mean any live broadcast which begins before the watershed will not contain betting adverts.

The move comes amid fears advertising during live sport is fuelling an explosion in underage gambling addicts.

The proposals, which have been put forward by the Remote Gambling Association, are yet to be fully agreed.



It is believed that the gambling companies are to seek legal advice to assess the full implications of any prospective changes.

A meeting of the five major gambling industry associations will take place next week following which an announcement will be made.

A Gambling Commission spokesperson said: "We understand that options for enhancing the Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising are currently under review.

"We would welcome any steps to address public concerns about gambling advertising.

"Last month we brought together senior leaders from over 100 gambling companies to look at how they can work together to make gambling fairer and safer, including considering the approach they take to advertising.

"We look forward to hearing about the industry's plans."

The gambling industry spent £1.5bn on marketing last year, prompting fears about the impact the advertising has on children.

A Gambling Commission report released last month indicated that 55,000 children aged 11 to 16 could be officially categorised as problem gamblers.

The changes could lead to a sustained push to limit betting advertisements in other areas of sport including on shirts and billboards.

Currently 60% of Premier League and Championship football clubs have betting companies as shirt sponsors worth approximately £110m per year.

This is the biggest shake-up of advertising in professional sport, obviously hitting football clubs hardest but could also have a serious affect on snooker, darts, boxing and rugby league.

Football players