Major bookmakers to remove TV and radio gaming advertising during lockdown

Television and radio adverts for gaming are to be removed during the Covid-19 lockdown by members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) in a voluntary move by the gambling industry trade body.

The move follows concerns voiced by campaigners that gambling advertising during the crisis was fuelling problem gambling.

The BGC, which represents 90 per cent of the UK's betting and gaming industry, said the move applied to casino, slots and bingo adverts. It does not yet apply to sports advertising, which will be reviewed separately when "significant sport returns".

Existing advertising slots will be replaced by safer gambling messages, donated to charities or removed from broadcast where contracts permitted, the BGC said, adding its members had committed to further increases in safer gambling messaging online.

Operators have said they will implement the changes as quickly as possible and no later than May 7, with the commitment in force "at a minimum" until June 5, only being reviewed when lockdown restrictions are relaxed.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: "From day one of this crisis we have sought to protect customers potentially at risk, including announcing stepping up safer gambling measures as part of our ten pledges for Covid-19 in March.

"This latest move by the regulated industry further underlines our commitment to safer betting and gaming with many people cut off and feeling anxious."

The BGC said its members accounted for around 50 per cent of all gambling advertising on TV and radio, adding it hoped the National Lottery, society lotteries and other bingo operators followed suit.

Betting Gaming Council and GVC pledge to protect gamblers during crisis

Dugher added: "We have been working closely with our member companies since this crisis began to monitor the impact of betting and gaming. There hasn't been an explosion in people betting online as some had predicted – in fact, the opposite is true with total revenue down by up to 60 per cent.

"Overall, gambling levels have also fallen significantly as a result of betting shops and casinos closing and the suspension of live sport. And while advertising levels on sports and casino are also down, again contrary to some assertions, we recognise that removing product advertising will act as a further safeguard during Covid-19."

Carolyn Harris MP, the chair of the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group, said she was pleased the BGC had listened to their concerns by taking action over advertising.

Harris tweeted: "We must prevent a rise in problem gambling during this unsettling period and this forms a crucial part of achieving this."

On the issue of sports betting advertising, which is governed by the industry's 'whistle-to-whistle' ban, the BGC said operators acknowledged that the return of sports betting would need to be treated with care in order not to trigger another issue.

Advertising during television of coverage of horseracing is not subject to the whistle-to-whistle ban.

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help