• by Ray Schultz , June 15, 2023

The Guardian has banned gambling advertising out of concern for the damage done by chronic betting.  

“Many people like the occasional bet, but the advent of 24/7 betting apps on smartphones, marketed to the public through billions of pounds and dollars in advertising across all forms of media, has placed high-stakes gambling machines in almost every pocket,” writes Anna Bateson, chief executive, Guardian Media Group. 

Bateson continues that “Guardian journalists have reported on the devastating impact of the gambling industry in the UK and Australia, helping to shift the dial and ensure the issue remains high on the public agenda.” 

The reason: “Problem gambling poses significant risks, leading to financial distress, mental health issues such as depression, and various personal and social problems for many individuals,” 

Bateson notes that surveys in the UK and Australia show that a majority would support a ban on gambling advertisements, a measure already taken in Italy and Belgium. 

“The UK government has recently introduced a ban on gambling and betting companies from using advertising featuring footballers and reality TV stars, and Premier League clubs have agreed to ban gambling company sponsorships on club shirts from the 2026/2027 season,” Bateson writes.  

She continues, “Likewise, gamblers in Australia will soon be banned from using credit cards for online betting. Meanwhile, in the US, the sports gambling industry has boomed since a federal ban was lifted in 2018; previously, it was only legalized in Nevada.”