The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will publish a long-awaited review of the gambling industry within weeks, including the government’s view on the rising number of betting adverts on television. Documents seen by the Guardian show that gambling companies, broadcasters and the advertising industry responded to the review with a joint offer of a “national campaign” to show off their commitment to tackling addiction. In one exchange circulated among gambling companies and trade bodies, the idea for the campaign is described as a “consequence of the government’s gambling review”. “There must be no stitch-up to help the gambling industry avoid tighter restrictions on advertising,” said Watson, who has called for a ban on football clubs accepting shirt sponsorship deals from gambling firms. We can’t just rely on voluntary action from the betting companies to deal with the problem.

Source: The Guardian September 17, 2017 16:36 UTC