We are announcing that we’re reviewing our enforcement of the gambling advertising rules to ensure that we are applying them proportionately and protecting those who are potentially more vulnerable to gambling related harm.

Following the Gambling Act coming into effect in 2007, gambling operators have been permitted to advertise more widely. At the time, strict rules were introduced into the Advertising Codes to make sure the ads were responsible. But as a result of the Act, which removed restrictions that had previously prohibited most betting and gaming services from advertising, the public now sees more gambling advertising than it had done previously.

As the amount of ads has increased, so has the number of complaints we receive. Moreover, as technology evolves, we’re accessing gambling products in new and different ways such as online and via mobile devices.

In this context, we believe it is timely to launch a review.

You can access the review’s full Terms of Reference here.

Alongside our work, the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) are reviewing the latest evidence underpinning the gambling rules, more details of which are here.

We’re also publishing our letter to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, updating them on our review plans.

For more information on the gambling advertising rules we administer, see our Gambling topic page.


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