House of Lords Criticizes UK Gambling Ad Rules as Too Passive

A new 173-page report by the House of Lords liaison committee has criticized the current rules that guide gambling advertising in the United Kingdom calling them 'too passive'. The report suggests that a tobacco-style blanket ban on advertising would be the best way to go, with a few exceptions - racecourses and the lottery.

The Betting and Gaming Council, a trade group promoting the interests of the gambling industry, has argued that the report is 'deeply misguided' and is reaching the wrong conclusions. The Premier League alone could generate $1bn in illegal gambling, and a report by Euromat suggests that 25% of iGaming in Europe is driven by offshore and not locally licensed companies.

The UK Gambling Commission, the regulator, has recently appointed a new chair with strong consumer protection credentials, who will spearhead any new efforts to make the industry a safer place for players, while also focusing on the threat of the black market.