British Children Want Fewer Gambling Advertisements
Young People Call for Reduced Gambling Advertising
A recent report from the UK charity GambleAware highlights a clear message from children and young people: they want less exposure to gambling advertisements. This concern arises alongside increasing gambling-related problems affecting the youth.
Survey Reveals Children’s Views on Gambling Ads
GambleAware’s State of the Nation report, which surveyed 3,000 individuals aged 11 to 24, reveals significant findings about young people’s experiences with gambling content. Data collected by YouGov for the study shows that 70% of children feel it is hard to avoid gambling-related advertisements and content.
Additionally, the report indicates that one-third of children have encountered some form of reward-based gambling marketing within the last month. Impressively, 90% of those surveyed could identify gambling companies from a list of various brands.
Most notably, 75% of children aged 11 to 17 believe that the UK should take stronger measures to limit the volume of gambling advertising they are exposed to. When asked what message they would send to gambling advertisers, many children emphasized the importance of clearly communicating the risks of gambling and called for ads to stop targeting young audiences.
The Need for Immediate and Coordinated Measures
Anna Hargrave, the CEO of GambleAware, expressed serious concerns about the frequency with which young people come into contact with gambling advertising. She emphasized that the survey data underscores the strong desire among youth for stricter control over such ads.
Hargrave stated that the evidence points to an urgent need for coordinated actions aimed at reducing gambling-related harm among young individuals.
“We hope that the recommendations in the report are given serious consideration to ensure we protect children and young people from the risks of gambling and gambling harms.”
Anna Hargrave, CEO, GambleAware
Baroness Clare Gerada DBE, a member of the House of Lords and supporter of GambleAware, praised the report for its data-driven recommendations that should guide policymaking. She urged those involved in gambling advertising and marketing to acknowledge these findings and implement necessary changes, including clearer health warnings about gambling risks.
The full findings and recommendations of the report can be accessed through GambleAware’s official channels.
