DCMS rebukes senior MP's gambling advertising concerns
Department responsible for gambling policy says UK government is "completely committed" to player protection
The UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has hit back at treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander’s criticism of its review into gambling advertising practices and reaffirmed its commitment to player protection.
In a letter addressed to culture secretary Sajid Javid leaked to the Daily Mail earlier this week, Alexander said he was “growing increasingly concerned” by how prevalent gambling adverts had become.
The senior Liberal Democrat MP went on to criticise the late publication of a wide-reaching review featuring input from the Gambling Commission and advertising watchdogs.
“It has now become almost impossible to watch any kind of sports event without being bombarded by highly solicitous advertising, often displaying live odds and using famous sport stars to encourage viewers to bet there and then via the internet,” the letter read.
“I note that the Gambling Commission are conducting a review of gambling advertising that has still not reported. But this is a matter of principle and I believe the time to act is now,” he added.
However a DCMS spokesperson told eGaming Review the government is “completely committed to ensuring that player protection is at the heart of gambling policy”.
The spokesperson also confirmed the Gambling Commission will publish the findings of its review “in a few weeks”.
The DCMS’s review comprises input from four separate bodies, the last of which has been conducted by the Gambling Commission itself and focuses on free bet and bonus advertising to ensure it remains compliant with the 2005 Gambling Act.
The Advertising Standards Agency and Clearcast have already submitted their findings, with the former concluding that current rules are largely in line with public opinion.
And speaking to eGR, Remote Gambling Association (RGA) chief executive Clive Hawkswood said that many of Alexander’s points have “already been dismissed” by the recent reviews.
Hawkswood did however concede that the delay in publishing the Gambling Commission’s report had “created more uncertainty”. “That will be removed when [the Commission’s] own report is produced which should now be just a matter of weeks,” he added.
In response to criticism regarding advertising practices, gambling operators last year formed The Senet Group, a self-regulatory watchdog established to clampdown on advertising perceived to be irresponsible.
Senet Group members, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and Gala Coral, have all signed up to a number of restrictions such as a ban on free bet advertisements before 9pm and the inclusion of responsible gambling messages on all promotional material.
Earlier this week the Senet Group launched the industry’s first responsible gambling advert, designed specifically to educate the public as to the signs of problem gambling and what can be done to prevent it.
“Our members have voluntarily banned free-bet and free-money sign-up offers on TV before 9pm precisely because of the concern about children and young people watching,” said Wanda Goldwag, Chair and Independent Standards Commissioner of Senet Group.
“If other gambling operators make the same commitment by joining Senet Group, the problem should be very much reduced.”
A spokesperson for Danny Alexander had yet to respond to requests for comment at the time of writing.