RGA members meet to discuss self-imposed ad limits

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) will meet today to discuss the potential imposition of new advertising restrictions on UK operators.

RGA chair Clive Hawkswood confirmed to EGR that industry leaders were meeting to discuss “enhancements and additions” to the advertising guidelines issued by the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG).

Potential measures to be discussed at today’s meeting, first reported by Sky News, include the banning of in-play adverts during live sport, restricting the number of gambling adverts to one per commercial break and a complete ban on pre-watershed advertising of gambling.

However, Hawkswood refused to be drawn on specific measures. “At this stage it would be wrong to speculate on the outcome of the review but RGA members are very mindful of the public concerns that have been expressed about the amount of sports betting advertising that takes place on television,” he said.

Addressing the concerns at the recent Gambling Commission Raising Standards Conference earlier this month, Guy Parker, ASA CEO, said existing rules were working effectively, but there was public concern about the timing and quantity of ads.

In recent months, the CEOs of GVC, bet365 and Paddy Power Betfair have all publicly voiced their support for greater curbs on gambling advertising.

Earlier this month, Sky TV announced it would limit gambling adverts to one per commercial break, following pressure from the government and problem gambling organisations over the proliferation of adverts occurring during the recent World Cup.